EVERY TURN A RETURN

Over afternoon merienda in Poblacion, RAJO LAUREL and MARTIN BAUTISTA reveal the inner workings of their upcoming collaboration

- LEAH PUYAT

GLOBALLY, FASHION DUOS ARE NOT EXACTLY THE NORM, BUT THEY ARE NOT RARE. Dolce & Gabbana (Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabban), Rodarte (the Mulleavy sisters, Kate and Laura), Proenza Schouler (Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez) come to mind. In the Philippines, most local designers work alone. While there have been many fashion designers who have grouped themselves into associations and councils, these groups exist more for group shows or charity projects. For the most part, the job of a Filipino fashion designer is a pretty lonely one. But a new collaboration in town just may change all that.

The House of Laurel is both a brand and a literal building, a landmark in Poblacion way before it was “Pobla,” or the Makati magnet for bars, restaurants, happy hour cocktails, and all sorts of nocturnal shenanigans. When we were planning the interview for this story, a few nearby restaurants in Rockwell were tossed about as potential venues, when Rajo posted on the chat, “Let’s just meet in the studio. Then you’ll get a better feel of what we did.” A wise choice, indeed.

It is both a fashion lover’s wonderland and a working atelier. There is a steady stream of clients ambling in and staff carrying clothes to fitting rooms, and shoppers who can find outfits, accessories, home needs, and even books and magazines to peruse as they choose. It is a physical manifestation of three decades of dedication, devotion, and a total immersion in fashion for Rajo Laurel, his family, and his team.