Rajo on men... and the clothes they wear

MANILA, Philippines - Rajo Laurel’s designs his first ever all-menswear collection, “W” by Rajo. A collaboration with corporate lifestyle brand Wharton, this spring/summer 2011 collection takes men back to the ’60s but with a dash of modernism that makes men’s fashion less stereotypical and monotonous.

 Undoubtedly one of the most distinguished fashion designers in the country, Rajo Laurel has been in the industry for over15 years.

 Rooted from his childhood, his passion carried on through his young adulthood as he obtained a management degree from De La Salle University and received design training from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology and Central Saint Martin’s in London.

With a global perspective in fashion, his designs have always juxtaposed hard and soft elements with the modern and classic, all together creating a very personalized and distinct look. 

Here Rajo Laurel talks about his inspiration for W by Rajo, his love for cultural icons, and shares his excitement as he reveals his very first men’s collection for Wharton:

What is your inspiration for this collection?  

I like the spirit the decade of the ‘60s evoked! This was the decade of birth of the youth culture! I was inspired by images of James Dean and Marlon Brando.  

I also loved the music of the era. Particularly of the Beatles!  I listened to Beatles the whole time I was working on the collection.

What are the key pieces?

I love the little sports jackets that are cropped to just below the waist! I think the proportions are fresh and new!  

I also love the fun shirts that add a bit of a design spin to the average work-wear staple.

What fabrics did you use?

We used a gamut of materials from worsted wools, Egyptian cottons, washed twills, to laminated light-weight wools. I love the leather-like materials in metallics like bronze, gold and silver, too!

Menswear in the Philippines has always been more traditional and on the safe side...

 The main philosophy of the entire collection is that of menswear with a nod to the past but fast forwarding this to the future! I fell in love with the art of tailoring! I took the vintage techniques and skills of tailors from the past and imbibed the discipline in this collection. Although the inspiration is the ’60s, I was totally thinking of modernity!  

 The pieces are deceivingly simple but with closer inspection, you will notice these surprising design elements.

What are your favorite pieces?

I can’t choose. I love everything! It’s like you asking who I love the most among my children! But if it’s only one thing, then I would take the gold jacket!

Who is the W by Rajo man?

Creative. Intelligent. Sartorial.

How different is W by Rajo?

It’s my very first menswear collection!  

I am so excited about this because I have never done a show and a collection that concentrated purely on menswear! So this is really exciting!