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Rajo Laurel?s debut collection for SM offers ?aspirational? pieces
DESIGNER RAJO LAUREL IS tapping into the lucrative ready-to-wear market with the recent launch of his men?s wear line for Wharton.
The debut collection, which consists of two jackets, several long- and short-sleeved shirts and pants, are available at all SM department stores nationwide.
?The approach may be mass-market, but the designs are not,? says Laurel.
Limited to black, jackets and pants are made of tropical wool, following a slim silhouette. One jacket comes with topstitching, while the other is military-inspired with details such as flaps, epaulets and extra buttons.
By combining patterns and stripes with similar colors and subtle differences, a number of his shirts achieve a Japanese aesthetic reminiscent of those produced by Commes des Garçons. Or as the witty designer puts it, ?they?re Commes at 1-4 (P1,499.75).?
?Men?s wear is all about subtlety,? says Laurel. ?The challenge has always been how to make it interesting without overdoing it.?
Other clever details are double collars, exclusive buttons with Laurel?s name on them and his embroidered signature on an obscure area of the shirt. One long-sleeved number even comes with concealed zippers on both sleeves to make rolling them up easier.
Following SM?s practice of ?smart? pricing, his long-sleeved shirts are sold for P1,499.75 each; short-sleeved shirts, P1,299.75; jackets, P3,499.75-P3,999.75; and pants, P1,299.75.
Pieces were manufactured in Bangkok following prototypes designed by Laurel and produced by his tailors in Manila. Shirts are made of high-quality cotton. Except for the jacket?s lining, no piece is made of poly blend.
Depending on how you plan to dress them up or down, a number of pieces can work after office or during weekends. Laurel and his business partners at Wharton plan to unveil his next men?s wear collection in May.
?The clothes are aspirational,? says Laurel. ?They?re designed for stylish working men on a budget, and those just starting to make a name for themselves in whatever industry they belong to.?
