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This is an excerpt from MEGA’s May 2025 Local Love.
In its form and fabric, fashion is a vessel for storytelling—a way to capture emotions and moments. R/Studios is a brand founded on deeply personal narratives. Founded by Renée de Guzman, her vision is to create wearable art that reflects personal stories and experiences. De Guzman’s approach ensures that every piece has meaning, with each detail holding an emotion rooted in these personal narratives to transform intangible experiences into something you can see, feel, and wear.
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“As a designer, I’ve always rooted everything I create in personal experiences—places, moments, and specific emotions that leave a lasting imprint,” de Guzman shares. “Sometimes, these references take on visual forms, which I then translate into tangible details—textile manipulations, subtle design elements—each holding a piece of a greater story.”
R/Studios’ deep commitment to storytelling becomes a conversation, a keepsake, and a medium through which the wearer can express themselves. Atthe heart of R/Studios lies a deep reflection on impermanence and nostalgia. Each collection is an exploration of time, memory, and emotions that have shaped her work.
“Now that I think about it, my recent collections have tackled heavy themes around grief, the relationship of art and mental health, and even a manifesto on epilepsy awareness for my postgraduate work. These subjects aren’t just concepts; they are deeply personal, and fashion allows me to express them in a way that words sometimes cannot,” de Guzman muses.
CREATING PIECES BUILT TO LAST
R/Studios is designed with longevity in mind—not just in terms of physical durability but also in meaning and relevance.
De Guzman says, “I always think about how my pieces can function as daily staples and how they evolve over time. The quality of materials—leather, textiles—plays a huge role. I ensure that they feel good to touch, are well-considered in every detail, and are constructed with intention in mind. That way, they don’t just last physically, but emotionally as well.”
Each R/Studio garment is designed not just for the present but for the future, meant to be passed down, collecting stories along the way.
R/STUDIOS AND ITS GENERATION OF CREATIVES
This sense of “mothering” extends to emerging creatives in the industry, where the brand actively cultivates curiosity and knowledge-sharing.
“I love working with creatives, especially those who are curious. It leads to deeper conversations about the industry we’re in. If someone’s interested in fashion design, we talk about its artistry, the details. If it’s fashion photography, we dive into the greats—past and present. I mentor in a way that’s soft yet detail-oriented, pushing them to take the lead in their own way.”
Beyond fashion, R/Studio fosters a nurturing force in the industry with a creative and supportive environment built on mentorship and collaboration. “More than anything, R/Studios aims to be a safe space for self-expression, for creativity, for growth,” de Guzman says. “As I build my team, I want them to find the same enjoyment I have for what the brand stands for. Of course, I always believe in uplifting and taking care of the people with whom we work and collaborate. And importantly, providing ethical working conditions and inspiring work culture. That’s how I envision leading a team in the future.”
Every designer carries with them the influence of those who have shaped their journey. For R/Studios’ founder, these figures have been both personal and professional. “Of course, my mom—she’s been my rock, through every high and low,” de Guzman shares. “Then there’s Maddy Wong and Joe Spinelli from Raffles Singapore. They pushed my boundaries during my bachelor’s degree—those were tough times, but they built my core as a designer. Without them, textiles wouldn’t be such a defining element of R/Studios.”
Her postgraduate years in London also brought in key mentors—Navin Phatel, Sarah Smith, Nabil El-Nayal, and Jessica Saunders—who guided her through one of the most difficult periods of her life during the pandemic. “They shaped the brand’s ethos, its core values, and how I see its future,” she shares.
Read more of how emotions play a big role in Renée de Guzman’s designs for R/Studios in MEGA’s May 2025 issue now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio.
Photographed by JHARWIN CASTAÑEDA. Fashion Direction ROKO ARCEO, assisted by ERICA TEROL. Art Direction TROY NONATO. Production JONES PALTENG. Makeup MIKI LIUSON. Hair PAU ONDRADA. Model SALLY of LUMINARY MODELS. Shot on location SHUTTERSPACE STUDIOS.
