THE chaos of Manila traffic—and finding meaning amid all this mess and madness—is the driving motivation for Jeffrey Rogador’s Holiday 2018 streetwear pieces at Philippine Fashion Week (PhFW).
MEAN STREETS
THE collection, “Congestion,” depict one’s emotional response during the daily grind, especially at rush hours. “It’s about finding harmony in congestion,” the young designer says. People may rage against the crowded streets, buses and trains, the time lost in the traffic jams, and the discomfort that commuting brings, but they know that when they get home, they get to cook, settle down and rest.
“I did urbanwear and streetwear pieces in loose silhouettes in shades of gray, blacks, whites and yellows. I also did fabric manipulation on prints and texture like microfiber, cotton, neoprene and leather,” says Rogador.
The charming doodles and images on the clothes, the designer also did himself. “The key pieces are jackets, pullovers, shirts, loose pants and shorts,” he says. “It’s versatile and unisex dressing, and easy pieces is the design direction.”
MODERN MANILA
“MANILA streetwear has been my design philosophy since I found the right niche market that matched my aesthetic as a designer of urbanwear pieces,” Rogador reveals.
For this year’s Philippine Independence Day Celebration, SM City North Edsa partnered with Rogador to showcase modern Manila in a three-day exhibition at The Block Atrium featuring his previous collections, such as “Jeepeny,” “Super Pinoy,” “Fish Market,” “Prints & Patterns” and “JRXX Philippines,” which all promote patriotism in a contemporary way through stylish streetwear.
“In line with SM’s 60th year, we gathered and had a go-see for 60 real people from all walks of life regardless of age, size, gender or race. This would promote our shared advocacy of ‘Fashion for Everyone,’” he explains.
The show will be on June 12 at 3 pm. The 60 real people-models will walk the runway featuring collections of Mossimo Kids, Folded & Hung and Marithè + François Girbaud, with 10 celebs/influencers from different fields walking the runway wearing Roador’s JRXX Philippines, including Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Grand International First Runner-Up 2016 Nicole Cordovez, La Salle Lady Spikers Majoy Baron, Kim Kianna Dy and Kim Fajardo.
Rogador will then reprise his Congestion collection with live paintings of the images and doodles on his garments using Davies Paints. “The color palettes of all the segments of the show are based on the Philippine flag,” he adds.
MENTORS JOEY AND AUDIE
“I’M one of the homegrown talents/designers of Philippine Fashion Week, groomed and personally mentored by PhFW director and producer Joey Espino. Being the longest running and the pioneer in local fashion as venue for designers to present their annual spring/summer and holiday collections, I trust them so much.
“PhFW is the best venue that suits me because Joey and his brother Audie know my history. They positioned my direction as a ready-to-wear and streetwear designer in the local and international markets,” says a grateful Rogador.
“I will be forever grateful and thankful to them for molding me not only as a designer but as the person that I am now. I want to give back to them whatever I have achieved.”