Rhett light district

Being a friend and admirer of Rhett, what amazes me about him is his generosity. He does not think twice when it comes to helping out his fellow designers with shoots and shows. He is also known at parties for bringing goody bags and giving out delectable samples of his work. He laughs at the dumbest jokes to make you feel good. And he does not think twice about cheapening himself to hook you up with a cutie. He is the jolly coutourier who is adored by those who meet him. He is at once genuine and open.

In Philippine fashion history there are those indelible moments wherein an inspired idea becomes a phenomenon. In the recent past, none has surpassed the poncho hysteria by Rhett Eala. I remember seeing it when Wink, his and Cindy Yap-Yang’s boutique, first opened, and instinctively knew that these wisps of gauzy fabric were going to be the hit of the year. I wore the ponchos everywhere whether paired with jeans and tied around the waist, as a glam beach cover up, as a sliver of a dress cinched with a corset belt (which is also made by him), as a top or an elegant evening piece that I paired off with satin trousers. It was the best piece of garment to manipulate at that time and it did not take a style savant to figure that out. Needless to say, it was a retail hit! Before you knew it, copies were being peddled off tiangges. Imagine, it was perhaps one of the first Pinoy knockoffs by a Filipino.

Of course around this time Rhett has already evolved, still keeping his signature look which is feminine yet still exudes an elegant sensuality that is all too palpable in his designs. When someone wears Rhett, whether you’re a sprite or a vixen, slipping into one of his silk chiffon couture candies instantly makes you feel all woman. His muse and dear friend, the late Patricia Borromeo, served as his inspiration: "She was extremely feminine. I always sought her opinions because she embodied the person that I want to dress."

When Rhett creates, he becomes obsessed. Every detail seems to require his grandest of attentions. I remember feeling like a winner in his puce and lime gown at the ABS-CBN gala, but what really made me feel good about wearing it was knowing how much effort he put in it. Not that I’m that special but everything that he creates is a child of inspiration. I remember Rhett sharing with me how it’s so important for a designer to like his client. "It’s like creating a lie," I recall him saying of clients that don’t sit well with him.

Rhett’s current collection now is a suggestion of his eternally playful side (which, by the way, is his reputation amongst his dearest friends). A blend of sexy cargos, clever tops, a silhouette that skims but does not grip the figure and colors that hint alternately of moody and sexy thoughts. "I’m straightforward – I like classic things with a twist to it. I appreciate fashionable stuff but I’m conservative when it comes to incorporating these elements in my designs." True enough, Rhett relies on using exquisite materials and fine draping in his designs.

Rhett’s couture and retail babies are both flying high with the smart set. His couture speaks volumes in terms of chic, which is sensual tempered with restraint, and is a hit for its timelessness and grace. Wink, on the other hand, dances on the trendier side of things, although it still follows his aesthetic of clean lines and flattering silhouettes.

With Rhett and his spindle of golden surpises, the fashion scene surely will always have the Rhett carpet treatment.