RAJO LAUREL OPENS UP

The designer who made a name for himself in womenswear makes a menswear debut that's his most personal work yet.

- MARBBIE C. TAGABUCBA

Leave it to Rajo Laurel to fill a front row with the doyennes of high society side by side with different generations of show-biz names on a Thursday night. After all, Laurel himself has helped shape their image with his deft hand at timeless artistry and on-trend commercial acumen — a rare feat, building up his multi-brand empire House of Laurel.

But for this show, Laurel's VVIP is a less-familiar face in the fashion and entertainment beat: his therapist. “Rajo Man” isn't Laurel's first show or his biggest. But never before has a collection been so cathartic for the designer: “I delved into memories that were uncomfortable (for me) growing up, realizing my sexuality, my gender, the things that made me different.”

Much like exposure therapy, where confronting uncomfortable emotions is key to healing, Laurel's collection was a reflection of the memories and realizations he's grappled with.

For Laurel, known for his work in womenswear, expressing himself in menswear is a crucial part of it. “With menswear, I was able to fully internalize the process, really looking at the entire process within my heart and soul,” Laurel says.