Koko Gonzales’ debut collection under his namesake label does not focus on lofty muses or remote locations. Instead, he looks to the most direct source of inspiration: his own daily routine. Biking to the workshop, riding a motorcycle around the city, working up a sweat playing badminton—all of this served as the foundation for Collection 01, a lineup that captures the rhythm of Manila’s streets while maintaining a tailored sense of sophistication.
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“My daily routine shaped the collection a lot,” the designer admits to MEGA. “Things like biking to the workshop, quick motorcycle rides to source materials, or even playing badminton made me think of clothes that move with me—easy, practical, but still intentional in design.” To accomplish this, Gonzales and his team pushed fabrics that were previously limited to sportswear into fresh directions, cutting them with the finesse of mass-produced performance wear but elevating them with the care of tailoring.
The clothing reflects the city’s quick, layered, and shifting pace. “The familiarity of city life was something I wanted the clothes to echo,” Gonzales says. “They’re simple and versatile, but carry hints of Filipiniana so they feel at home in motion, not only in formal or ceremonial spaces.” A shirt may reference barong features, but it’s presented in breezy materials appropriate for transit; cuff links meet sports textures, bridging formality and comfort.
Gonzales’ concept of versatility—a philosophy of function rather than a trend-driven word—is central to Collection 01. “Versatility, for me, means creating pieces that move across different parts of your day without losing your sense of self,” explains the designer. Clothes that may be worn in a variety of ways and allow the wearer to finish the story as they go from errands to evening. “Ultimately, it’s about letting the wearer give each piece a new meaning.”
With Collection 01, Koko Gonzales emphasizes that fashion is rooted in the rhythm of life, practical yet personal, designed to move with the city and with you.
Photos courtesy of BENCH
