From Book Store to Fashion Runway: Adapting Lessons from the Music-enhanced Sisyphe Bookstore’s Culture in Qingdao (China) to the Fashion Culture of Manila, Philippines

Abstract

This study explores how the cultural and educational innovations of the music-infused Sisyphe Bookstore in Qingdao, China, can inform the reinvention of fashion shows in Manila, Philippines, as multisensorial cultural learning spaces. Drawing from social learning theory, behaviorism, humanistic education, and multiple intelligences, the research examines how integrating music, art, and participatory design transforms retail and fashion into platforms for cultural pedagogy and identity formation. Employing qualitative document analysis, the study compared case materials on Sisyphe Bookstore with recent (2020–2025) digital and print documentation of Manila’s fashion scene. Findings reveal that Sisyphe’s success in merging education, entertainment, and retail engagement through music offers a viable model for fashion events that move beyond visual spectacle toward interactive, immersive, and educational experiences. Key insights emphasize hybrid integration of sensory arts, participatory fashion learning, cultural storytelling, and community engagement. The study proposes a multisensorial framework for fashion events that enhance audience engagement, cultural literacy, and sustainability awareness while supporting a circular economy. Ultimately, it repositions fashion in Manila not merely as a creative industry but as a transformative cultural ecosystem linking artistry, education, and social cohesion.