Living Legacy: The Best-Dressed Guests at the 1st Fashion Week Asia Gala

What better way to celebrate a designer than to arrive wearing his work? The very first Fashion Week Asia Gala brought together some of the biggest names in Philippine entertainment and fashion for an evening dedicated to Rajo Laurel and his 33-year career. As the Filipino designer presented ARCHIVO, a retrospective of his designs through the years, archival and contemporary pieces alike found their way onto the attendees.

In no particular order, here are our Best-Dressed guests of the night.

Anne Curtis

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A little shimmer never hurt anyone, and Anne Curtis certainly made the most of it. Her silver Rajo Laurel dress was covered in delicate strands of beaded fringe, from the shoulders down to the hem. We would’ve loved to see those beads move as she danced!

Nadine Lustre

In true Scorpio fashion, Nadine Lustre’s black Rajo Laurel top was a fascinating assembly of woven discs and fringed edges. She wore it with wide-leg trousersWide-Leg TrousersPants cut with a generous, straight or flowing leg from hip to hem, creating a long, elegant line and relaxed feel. Wide-leg trousers are comfortable in tropical weather, pair wellGo to Wide-Leg Trousers Glossary and minimal jewelry. With handiwork this intricate, who needs much else?

Heart Evangelista

Of course Heart Evangelista would bring her own artistry to Rajo Laurel’s archives! The fashion icon wore a strapless design from 2006, with a ruched bodice and voluminous tiers that gave the piece its playful, sculptural shape. She completed the look with statement jewelry from her own Heart Jewels collection, a lovely way to bring two creative visions together.

Solenn Heussaff

Straight from Rajo Laurel’s 2006 archives, Solenn Heussaff’s orange satin creation was a lovely sight, from the asymmetrical neckline and soft folds across the bodice to the train that swept the floor. And with Jewelmer’s golden South Sea pearls around her neck, the actress had a beautiful match for the fabric’s rich, warm color.

Beauty Gonzalez

Beauty Gonzalez had a surprise waiting every time she turned. The actress wore a black Rajo Laurel creation with a high neckline and fine pleats, only for the fabric to give way to a wonderful open back.

Regine Velasquez-Alcasid

Regine Velasquez-Alcasid looked lovely in an earthy brown Rajo Laurel piece, whose folds ran from the high neckline down to the floor. The singer added a long Chanel necklace with gold accents and pearls as a beautiful complement to the dress’s warm hue.

Mond Gutierrez

Of all the things we could admire about Mond Gutierrez’s outfit, our favorite has to be the cummerbund. That wonderfully wide black waistband gave his polka-dotted Rajo Laurel lounge robe a formal flourish. And how perfect was that floral detail?

Liz Uy

Another queen of beading! Liz Uy chose a Rajo Laurel creation from 2006, and the handiwork alone deserves a closer look. Rust-colored threads and tiny circular embellishments adorned the bodice in an intricate arrangement reminiscent of the reverse side of cross-stitch embroidery, with all its beautiful, interwoven patterns.

Hannah Pangilinan

Who says gala dressing has to mean a gown? Hannah Pangilinan wore a black Rajo Laurel number whose sleeveless top had a back panel that reached the floor. A trail of sequins at the hem added a pleasant sparkle, while her rounded heels gave the outfit a youthful charm.

Kyline Alcantara

Did you know Kyline Alcantara styled herself for the gala? And what a lovely job she did! She chose a white Rajo Laurel dress with pleats all over, then gave it her own spin with a green belt, Spinelli jewelry, and a textured green clutch. We also have a particular fondness for that perfectly sculpted kiss curl!

Small Laude

Small Laude certainly knows how to enjoy extravagance! Her bronze Rajo Laurel gown was a marvel of metallic pleats, with a spiral at the bust that flowed into diagonal folds across the body. The draped skirt continued the beautiful interplay of texture and movement, complemented by her floral earrings and embellished clutch.

Vice Ganda

And finally, leave it to Vice Ganda to wear a lustrous Rajo Laurel coat with a necktie that looked deliberately windswept. We just have to give extra points for that wonderfully unusual twist. Knee-high black boots, a tiny gold handbag, and a bright orange bob? That’s Vice for you!

Photographed by ED SIMON, TJ PARK, and BRYAN BACTAD with Creative Direction by GEE PLAMENCO JR. and Art Direction by RAKI LUCAS

Anya Oxyn

Senior Fashion Writer

Formerly a stylist who immersed herself intimately within the Philippine fashion circuit for over three years, Anya has refined her transformative, hands-on experience into an insightful voice for MEGA Asia as a Senior Fashion Writer.

Her editorial pursuit possesses three facets: her time as an essayist during her education at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, her extensive experience in digital media and strategic storytelling, and her belief that fashion has a beating heart deeply intertwined with art, culture, society, and humanity itself that is worth uncovering.

Anya’s versatile pen spans a dynamic range of subjects, including emerging local designers, global luxury houses, beauty trends, film and television fashion analysis, cultural op-eds, major events, and beyond.

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