FEATHER-LIGHT hues in the softest fabrics from Rajo Laurel’s Spring-Summer 2016 collection “The Monast” could be the ultimate sartorial foil to the political and summer heat that’s starting to pick up.

 

The choice of colors is deliberate, Laurel said. White and beige join blush and mist (the designer’s equivalent of Pantone’s Rose Quartz and Serenity, respectively) as an inspiration to slow down and relax.

 

“The collection hopefully reflects the mind-set you have when you close your eyes and enter a meditative state,” he explained.

 

As the collection’s name suggests, Laurel’s inspiration for this season are religious vestments. He tries to capture, in fabric, the state of mind one achieves during prayer and meditation.

 

He wanted to create a collection that is, he said, “free, reflective and more serene” especially after wrapping up his holiday collection.

 

The collection was presented Feb. 22 at Makati Shangri-La.

 

In an interview with Inquirer Lifestyle that Monday, he noted that the holiday fashion is “usually very bright and colorful, very glitzy and glamorous.”

 

The next logical step, he thought, would be to pare down, with clothes “seeking purity and authenticity” and with hardly any color.

 

Slowing down this summer becomes more necessary given the frenetic heat from the political campaign that coincides with summer. Laurel said instead of tropical colors, he chose the extreme opposite in the spectrum because “perhaps we need to just chill.”

 

Laurel’s silhouette skims, not hugs, the figure to allow space for air and movement.

 

He presented dress forms wearing his designs along with a curated collection of South Sea pearls from Jewelmer Joaillerie.

 

Concealed fans installed under the dress forms lifted the fabrics, creating a slow-motion flow that reminded one of a summer breeze.

 

Laurel said this was to emphasize that his clothes are meant to be worn on hot summer nights.

 

Laurel’s latest collection and Jewelmer’s offerings are on view at Makati Shangri-La Lobby Lounge Luxe until March 20.

 

Lobby Lounge Luxe combines fashion with high tea luxury by showcasing featured artists and musicians while hors d’oeuvres, pastries, tea and coffee are served for the ultimate afternoon tea experience from 3 to 6 p.m.

 

Guests who order the signature jewelry box of pastries are entitled to a raffle ticket for prizes from House of Laurel and Jewelmer.

 

Lobby Lounge Luxe, tel. no. 8142580 or e-mail [email protected]