TOP FILIPINO DESIGNERS BRING LOCAL LUXURY TO RUSTAN’S CIRCLE
How do you make local designer fashion accessible? Rustan’s has given us the answer. In the tradition of promoting local names and brands, Rustan’s has partnered with five of the country’s top designers in launching the first edition of Rustan’s Circle, a pop-up exhibit featuring fashion exclusively designed for Rustan’s Makati. The luxury retailer gives designers an avenue to showcase their pieces in a retail outlet alongside top international brands.
The first edition of Rustan’s Circle includes Mark Bumgarner, Rosanna Ocampo, Patty Ang, Happy Andrada and Mich Araullo. Each designer has put together a fresh collection exclusively for Rustan’s.
Formula-car-racer-turned-fashion-designer Mark Bumgarder says, “When Rustan’s approached me to be part of the Circle, I did not hesitate. To be part of Rustan’s for this collaboration is an honor and I thank them for giving us young Filipino designers a platform to showcase our creativity and products.” For his collection, he took inspiration from 1960s New York, in particular, the TV series Mad Men. “I love how the women from that era are dressed up in simple yet elegant silhouettes, with dramatic patterns or prints making the pieces stand out,” he says.
Mich Araullo, known for chic, easy and maximum-impact designs, built her collection around her functional philosophy and made it fun and relaxed, while still channeling an old world sensibility. The pieces are inspired by long summers in the Italian Riviera. “Think tie-print sundresses, crisp linen buttondowns, ‘50s-style cinched-waist styles and woven fabrics with bow details,” says Araullo.
“My experiences in Rustan’s have always been happy, memorable ones. I’m very excited to be displaying my label at a place that feels very much like home,” says Rosanna Ocampo. Well-known for her cocktail dresses and evening wear, Ocampo keeps her contemporary and feminine aesthetic for her new botanica-linspired collection for Rustan’s Circle. “You can count on florals and foliage to be a perennial focal point in our pieces, as is the wildlife that surrounds it,” she says. “Colors, contrast prints, layers of texture and embroidery are also all present.”
Designer Happy Andrada adds edge to the Circle’s first edition, creating a collection distinctly inspired by Metro Manila. Her ready-to-wear designs incorporate her intriguing mix of materials, patterns, textures and cuts. What makes it standout are the intricate kaleidoscope-inspired cut works and materials with digitally printed aerial view of Manila.
Patty Ang’s collection is inspired by traveling and culture. “For this, I just let my creativity and spontaneity flow while I observed the various places that I’ve been to, and combined them with the trends, culture and lifestyle that I see from people that I’ve encountered during my recent travels,” says Ang, who is thrilled to be part of Rustan’s Circle. “One of our many aspirations is to widen our reach and we believe that this partnership with Rustan’s will surely help us reach that objective. Together with Rustan’s, our brand will be able to create more happy and empowered women by sharing with them our pieces,” she says.
The Rustan’s Circle collections are exclusively available at the Ladies’ floor in Rustans Makati, from now until September 30.
Rosanna Ocampo, Patty Ang, Mark Bumgarner, Happy Andrada and Mich Araullo create designs exclusively for Rustan's Makati.