MANILA, Philippines - After launching the first “Love Collection” in 2012, designer Rajo Laurel is again teaming up with Ruffa Gutierrez and her tween daughters Lorin and Venice Bektas to create a collection that evokes youthfulness and self-expression.
“It’s always a lot of fun working with these fashion-savvy sisters,” Rajo says of Ruffa’s daughters. “They know exactly what they want and how to execute them. Now that they are approaching their tween years, they wanted to do a second collection.”
The result is the “Love 2 Collection,” which was launched on March 21 at Events Place Gramercy. The new collection features limited editions of 12 designs for girls and five designs for boys. While the collections are made for off-the-rack purchase, they are not mass-produced. The limited number ensures uniqueness and quality that will make kids wearing them feel special, according to the brand. There are sizes for toddlers, young girls and boys, and tweens.
While the first collection was centered on bold strokes of pinks and purples, blues and oranges, short dresses and ruffled skirts with touches of glitter and fancy, the new collection plays around with the theme of Vintage Coachella. “A parade of music, arts and everything creative — the new collection truly fits the girls’ personalities,” Rajo says.
Lorin, who is now 11 years old, shares, “I felt really overwhelmed when the first collection sold out. I never thought that so many people would want to buy the Love Collection that Venice and I designed with Tito Rajo.”
Ten-year-old Venice, on the other hand, says, “I’m overly excited that my sister Lorin and I are doing Love 2! I’d like to thank our mom for being so supportive and all the people who helped make my dream come true!”
The Love 2 Collection launch and fashion show was made possible through the support of Jollibee Foods Corporation, Joel Cruz of Aficionado Germany Perfume, Century City Mall, Saga Events, Nice Print Photography, Magnum, Creative Styling, Party Station, Instamug, Instabooth, Mustela Skin Care Expert for Babies, Bethany Dream Cakes, Potato Corner, Candy Corner, Cupcakes by Sonja and Inglot Cosmetics.
The House of Laurel is located at #6013 Escuela cor. Manalac Streets, Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City (tel. 899-9946). The Rajo! Rockwell Boutique is at the second level of the Power Plant Mall. Events Place Gramercy is at the Century City Mall along Kalayaan Ave. cor. Salamanca, Poblacion, Makati City.