‘IT’S nice because I started it 10 years ago. It’s sort of like nakakataba ng puso; at the same time it’s very gratifying and fulfilling. I’m just filled with gratitude that I’m able to celebrate 25 years of my career with the 10 years of the Red Charity Gala,” Rajo Laurel, one of the most recognizable names in Philippine fashion, says of being the featured designer of the annual fund-raising fete.
“Talagang naka-plano. I waited for [the anniversaries to coincide]. First of all, the Red Charity Gala is one of the most important fashion events [in the country]. At the same time, it’s also a really good way to sort of look back and look forward. Nakakatuwa at nakakataba ng puso,” the prolific designer underscores.
The gala is the effort of socialite-philanthropists Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Kaye Tinga in behalf of the Philippine Red Cross and their Assumption Batch 1981’s charitable projects. Laurel’s turn will happen on October 27, with the Manila Marriott Hotel chosen as a bigger venue because of the intense interest in his chic, cosmopolitan aesthetic.
His collection is called “Archipelago,” with 75 percent of the collection handmade, using natural, modern indigenous materials. “The collection is quite large and we’re still whittling it down at the moment. I’d already made 115 pieces of clothes; we’re going to whittle that down to 88 or 90. So right now, it’s in a healthy place but we sort of like need it to be concise and edited,” he says.
“It’s hard because I’ve grown attached to the pieces. But I’m lucky I’m working with [stylist] Pam Quiñones, [director] Robby Carmona and my friend [designer] Patrice Ramos-Diaz, who are helping me sort of like whittle the collection down and really tell the story in a way na hindi nakaka-umay, nakakasawa at hindi sobra,” Laurel explains.
On working on the clothes for the show, Laurel was struck by an existential quandary, and his approach in coming out with an answer was by using fashion as an anchor.
“I’m just being free because the collection really is an essay on trying to capture ‘What is Philippine style?’ I mean, the evolution of who we are as a people is a question that I would really like to answer in this day and age. I’m really glad that we are here at the Champagne Room of The Manila Hotel [as we wrestle with this question]: sino nga ba tayong mga Pilipino sa ating pananamit, sa ating pananalita, sa ating kultura? Those are the things that I’m sort of like putting my finger on and my personal adaptation on that. Those are the things tat I’m really interested in.”
Laurel has been working on his collection since October last year. “Literally, a full year. What I did is I created a team to just do the show. Tessa and Kaye essentially didn’t give me any parameters. Even myself, I didn’t give myself any parameters. Kaya for the last year. I was hashtag tahi lang ng tahi hanggang maka-buo ako ng something. And without any sort of like structure. My only structure is I want to be inspired by the Philippines. I want to be inspired by what we have.”
He offers an idea on what more to expect. “You will see clothes inspired by trips to Siargao or to Mayon Volcano. Dumaguete, my mother’s hometown, you will see a dress inspired by suman or budbud kabud. The Laurels’ province, there’s a dress inspired by Taal. Not just embroidery per se but the seismic movements of the Taal Lake and the Taal Volcano,” he says.
It’s the 10th and the biggest Red Charity Gala so far. Do you feel the pressure? “I’m trying not to. I’m trying to enjoy the process. Of course, I’m pressured. I mean I would be lying to you if I say I’m not anxious. More than that, I’m trying to change my perspective to all this being fun, it’s enjoyable, it’s exciting. And I just want to sort of instill the fact that I’m doing my best. We’re doing this for a really good cause, the Red Cross, all the endeavors of Tessa and Kaye’s Assumption Class, all the good that will be coming from this. It just so happens that this is the avenue for how we choose to give back,” Laurel says.
“So, I’m not going to say I’m not pressured. I’m just going to enjoy every minute of it. Kasi when is this going to happen again? Mahirap mag-show pero at the same time, masaya. It’s not common anymore to have a gala show na ganito kalaki. It’s too expensive [to do galas nowadays]. It’s hard. I want to relish and cherish the small details like the invitations, the décor, the food, and the music, and the stage—250 meters long in the biggest ballroom in the country.”