British-Filipino designer Ralph Rovero unveiled his innovative menswear collection on Sunday at Conrad Manila during the Spotlight Global Runway show at the 2018 Philippine Fashion Gala. A graduate in fashion design menswear from the University of Westminster in London, Rovero has seen his work featured in several prominent UK and international publications, including GQ Style, WAD, and trend forecasting company LS:NGLOBAL.
Rovero’s vibrant, contemporary streetwear aesthetic has garnered attention from notable figures in the fashion industry. International stylist and art director for Diesel, Nicola Formichetti, highlighted Rovero’s designs in the Freedom Fighter issue of Vogue Hommes Japan. Additionally, Rovero showcased his talent on the British reality TV series Styled to Rock, executive produced by pop star Rihanna, where he had the opportunity to style renowned music artists like Little Mix and Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters.
Born in Pangasinan, Rovero moved to London at the age of seven. Reflecting on his return to the Philippines, he remarked, “I’ve always wanted to come to the Philippines and bring a little bit of the world back with me. I thought the timing was perfect. Manila is coming into its own now in terms of having a very strong sense of fashion identity. It might even be on its way to becoming a fashion capital in Asia, so it’s a really exciting time for me to be back home.”
Rovero’s Spring/Summer 2019 collection, aptly titled “Homecoming,” was among ten international collections showcased at the event. For this collection, Rovero collaborated with European sportswear brand Fila and streetwear concept store Sole Slam. He expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “I’m extremely happy to work with Fila in this collection. It’s as much a European brand as it is Asian, so we have much in common. Fila’s Spaghetti Low shoes are literally the best complement to my designs, as you will see in the show.”
Looking ahead, Rovero is excited about a future collaboration with Sole Slam Manila, saying, “I’m really looking forward to collaborating with Sole Slam and Mr. Sole Slam himself, Antonio Aguirre, Jr. Our aesthetics and our passion for streetwear complement each other really well so we’re now seriously looking at ways we can work together.”
Rovero remains committed to enhancing menswear fashion in Manila and actively seeks collaborations that promote positive social change in the country. For more on Ralph Rovero, please visit ralphrovero.com.
About the Collection: Homecoming S/S 2019
Ralph Rovero’s Homecoming S/S 2019 collection stays true to his sci-fi aesthetic, drawing inspiration from classic sci-fi films such as E.T., Blade Runner, and the Japanese anime Akira. “Upon re-watching my favourite sci-fi movies, I realized that the colors I was watching on the screen were an integral part of telling the story and that’s something that I really wanted to reflect back into the collection, in particular the color red. I integrated the color in most of the pieces to create consistency and as accent details in the designs,” Rovero explained.
The story of E.T. was particularly influential in Rovero’s design process. “I found his struggle and fight to get back to his home planet quite relatable in my own story. I used this idea as a starting point to look into fabrics that felt almost like home comfort. I wanted to create a sense of familiarity in my fabric selection, so I looked into multiple washes of denims, relaxed cotton jerseys, and sports fabrics.”
Rovero’s collection explores his love of geometric shapes, lines, symmetry, and strong color identity. He reworks classic menswear sports fabrics, styling them with various denim pieces constructed using a geometric patchwork technique, creating a modern and relaxed silhouette for the contemporary man who appreciates a remix on traditional menswear staples.
“My goal as a designer is to create a label that is inclusive to all, and I want to encourage all to interact with my work,” Rovero shared.
Designer’s Profile
Ralph Rovero is a next-generation menswear designer based in both London and Manila. After graduating from the University of Westminster in London, Rovero’s designs have been featured in numerous prestigious publications, including GQ Style, WAD, and LSGLOBAL. His colorful, modern streetwear aesthetic has been spotlighted by international stylist and Diesel art director Nicola Formichetti, particularly in Vogue Hommes Japan.
Rovero’s talent was further recognized on the British reality TV series Styled to Rock, where he dressed famous music artists such as Little Mix and the Scissor Sisters.
Ralph Rovero continues to invigorate menswear fashion, focusing on his brand and future collaborations aimed at promoting positive social change globally.
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