Brit-Pinoy Designer Brings World Streetwear To Manila

By Iconic MNL
6 Min Read
Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless Ralph Rovero Cover 1

Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph RoveroBritish-Filipino designer, Ralph Rovero, launched his next-generation menswear designs Sunday at Conrad Manila at the Spotlight Global Runway show of the 2018 Philippine Fashion Gala.

Rovero, who graduated in fashion design menswear from the University of Westminster in London, has had his designs featured in several UK and international publications, including GQ Style, WAD and trend forecasting company, LS:N GLOBAL.

His colorful, modern streetwear aesthetic was highlighted by international stylist and art director for fashion brand Diesel, Nicola Formichetti, who featured Rovero’s designs for the Freedom Fighter issue of the iconic magazine, Vogue Hommes Japan.

Rovero also took part in the British reality television series, Styled to Rock, which was executive produced by pop star, Rihanna. In the show, Rovero got the chance to dress world famous music artists such as Little Mix and Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters.

Rovero was born in Pangasinan but has lived in London since the age of 7 after his family migrated to the UK.

“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.”

Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph RoveroRovero’s Spring/Summer 2019 collection, aptly titled “Homecoming,” was one of 10 collections from international designers featured at the event. For this collection, Rovero partnered with European sporting brand, Fila, and streetwear concept store, Sole Slam, for the 10 looks he highlighted in the show.

“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,” Rovero says.

Also in the pipeline is a collaboration with concept store, Sole Slam Manila.

“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 hopes to continue to brighten up menswear fashion in Manila and is actively seeking opportunities for 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 remains true to his Sci-fi aesthetic in his work and cites E.T., Blade Runner and Japanese anime, Akira, as core inspirations in his new menswear collection.

“Upon re-watching my favourite Sci-fi movies, I realised that the colours 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 colour Red. I integrated the colour in most of the pieces to create consistency and as accent details in the designs.”

The story of the film E.T. was also a key starting point in Rovero’s design development.

“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 look into multiple washes of denims, relaxed cotton jerseys and sports fabrics.”

The collection explores Rovero’s love of geometrical shapes, lines, symmetry and strong sense of colour identity.

Rovero reworks classic menswear sports fabrics that are styled with a variety of denim pieces constructed in a geometric patchwork technique, creating a modern and relaxed silhouette for the modern man who likes a remix on traditional menswear staples.

Ralph Rovero aims to have a brand that can, on some level, relate to everyone.  

“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.”

Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph Rovero

Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph Rovero Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph Rovero Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph Rovero

Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph Rovero Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph Rovero

Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph Rovero Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph Rovero Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph Rovero

DESIGNER’S PROFILE

Ralph Rovero is a London + Manila based next-generation menswear designer.

Rovero graduated in fashion design menswear from the University of Westminster in London and has since had his designs featured in UK and international publications such as GQ Style, WAD and trend forecasting company LS:N GLOBAL.

Most notably, his aesthetic of colourful, modern streetwear has been highlighted by international stylist and art director for Diesel, Nicola Formichetti, who had featured Rovero’s designs for the Freedom Fighter issue of the iconic magazine Vogue Hommes Japan. 

Rovero also took part in Styled to Rock, a British reality television series on sky living and executively produced by recording artist Rihanna, where he got the chance to dress world famous music artists such as Scissor Sisters and Little Mix.

Ralph Rovero continues to brighten up menswear fashion and focuses on his brand, along with future collaborations, to promote positive social change on a global scale.

Philippine Fashion Gala 2018 Timeless - Ralph Rovero
Ralph Rovero

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