OF ELAN AND NONCHALANCE

Inspiration comes from the inside out for renowned designers Rajo Laurel and Martin Bautista. Long-time friends and collaborators, they are kindred spirits who share the same language when it comes to their approach to their designs and their conviction that their garments should ultimately be wearable. They discuss with MEGA the merits of day offs, waking up early, and their hot takes on quiet luxury

- STEF JUAN

WHAT IS YOUR DESIGN IDEOLOGY OR FASHION IDENTITY?

RL: Fashion is a language that I use to fully express my feelings and my thoughts. My design philosophy has always stemmed from a sense of romance and a sense of contrasts. I like the narrative of the pushing and pulling of two different ideas and trying to find that equilibrium. So that has always been a very important force for me, another thing that I always input when I decide on the design or the philosophy of the design is that it has to be wearable. I don't believe in costumes, per se. I love the power of the costume and what it can give, but there has to be a force of reality towards the fantasy. I intend my clothes to be worn by real people.

MB: Same, I should be making clothes that are meant to be worn in real life. And my vision as a designer has always been about pulling different things from my experiences, and also meeting different kinds of women who are both intimidating and inspiring. It has always been about that. And that becomes a collage of ideas before it transforms into a collection and what I can do for this season. It's also based on real life experiences, and creating something that can be worn for the real world.

CAN YOU SHARE WITH US HOW YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS WORKS? WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION FROM?

MB: I like to travel. I like to read, watch, experience life. And when the time comes that I need to work on something. I try to just remember all of that and piece everything together so that when the work comes in, it looks very easy and effortless.