TO commemorate its 60th anniversary, Slim’s Fashion & Arts School, an institution of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), is set to open its new campus in Manila in October 2026.
The three-floor structure, currently in its final completion stage, will be named Ceci Hall to honor the late Brother Cecilio “Ceci” Hojilla FSC. Hojilla was a campus minister, mentor and storyteller fondly remembered for his profound influence on the Lasallian formation, student life and the spiritual development of the Benildean community.
Slim’s Fashion & Arts School was first founded on Taft Avenue, Manila, by the iconic Philippine couture designer and National Artist of the Philippines, Salvacion Lim Higgins (SLIM), and her sister Purificacion. They later moved their base to Chino Roces Avenue in Makati City.
The sisters wrote the highly technical lesson plans, which continue to serve as a solid foundation for the school’s curriculum today, a procedure that has become widely known as “The Slim’s Method.”
Christine Cheryl Benet, Slim’s Fashion & Arts school director, said that Ceci Hall, slated to rise along Pablo Ocampo Street, should be considered a “return to its roots, while moving boldly toward new horizons.”
She added that the relaunch of the institution will uphold its commitment while embracing innovation and an improved vision and mission for the future.
“It reflects the continuous growth and readiness of Slim’s to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the fashion industry. Yet we remain grounded and carry forward the same values, heritage and legacy that have shaped the institution over the past six decades,” she said.
Benet revealed the college has synergized Slim’s Fashion & Arts School, the DLS-CSB Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) Program, and the Benilde Fashion Museum (BFM) to establish the institution as a premier fashion education hub in Asean.
Learning areas
Ceci Hall, which spans approximately 400 square meters, will house a series of fashion design studios. These classrooms, which may accommodate 20 to 25 students each, will feature large pattern-drafting and cutting tables and custom-fitted heavy-duty industrial sewing machine stations for intensive garment construction.
The Textile and Materials Library will present extensive reference collections and textile resources. It includes expansive fabric roll displays and swatch racks that will immerse users in a real-world fashion studio environment.
The facility will include reading and learning areas and a flexible multi-purpose studio. A dedicated store, which will offer sewing materials and necessities, will be available on the ground floor.
Among the building’s unique features is the floor-to-ceiling façade, which will turn Ceci Hall into a live urban fashion gallery, especially at night. Visitors and passersby may view some of the couture creations of the Slim’s community, as well as selected works of featured artists.
The campus, designed by Ar. Wynard Dabon, UAP, will incorporate key design strategies that balance environmental responsibility and universal and functional accessibility.
To minimize environmental footprint, Ceci Hall’s extensive glass walls will welcome natural daylight across upper-level studios, library zones, and administrative offices, significantly reducing artificial lighting loads during peak hours.
In addition, it will utilize LED panel lighting, from its classrooms to the fabric display areas, to ensure energy efficiency throughout operations. The main front will include a prominent and gently sloped entrance ramp to provide persons with disabilities (PWD) with seamless and step-free access from the street level directly into the lobby. PWD-compliant restrooms will also be situated on the ground floor.
Further development plans include a coffee shop concessionaire and a Collective Hub on the third floor, which will be managed by the Benilde Romançon Enterprise, Inc. This creative open space, open to the public, will serve as a co-working atelier and collaborative area and pop-up events venue.
