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About Rajo

One of the top Filipino fashion designers, Rajo Laurel's love for fashion is rooted in his early years, but it
was in his young adulthood when his talent became truly apparent. His innate eye for fashion was
enhanced through his training from New York Fashion Institute of Technology and Central Saint Martin's
in London. Twenty two years into his career, he has received several awards locally and internationally
for fashion design and entrepreneurship. A celebrity in his own right, Rajo Laurel serves as a permanent
judge on four seasons of Project Runway Philippines. His accomplishments have propelled him to the
next step: a foray into the international market.

Rajo is passionate about his work, progressive, and very much a keen businessman. He heads Rajo Laurel
Enterprise, a young design-driven company fueled with the ideology of elegance, romance, and luxury.
The look is always modern and feminine, juxtaposing hard and soft elements. Though Filipino in origin
and heavily influenced by his Asian roots, Rajo aims to maintain a Global Perspective in fashion.

It is the workmanship and artisan quality that makes Rajo Laurel's pieces distinct. Beautiful, sensible and
also competitively priced. Standout details such as embroidery, beadwork and hand painted prints are
incorporated to elevate the clothes into exceptional limited edition pieces. The sensibilities of Rajo
Laurel's works are always new, organic, sensual, and meant to be admired as pieces of art.

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Rajo Laurel
RAJO LAUREL

FILIPINO FASHION DESIGNER

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Filipino fashion designer

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Philippines

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Fashion designer

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Male

Birth

May 19, 1971

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Biography

Raymund Joseph "Rajo" Teves Laurel (born May 19, 1971) is a fashion designer in Manila, Philippines. He
began his professional career in 1993, holding his first international exhibition the following year. In 2000
Rajo Laurel founded House of Laurel with his sister. A winner of a number of national and international
awards over the course of his career, Laurel is best known as a television personality as a judge on
Project Runway Philippines. He has designed dresses worn by notable international clients, including
Tyra Banks, Maja Salvador, Natalia Zakharova, Kylie Verzosa, and Dayanara Torres.
Family

On his mother's side, Rajo Laurel is the grandson of former Congressman and Negros Oriental Governor
Herminio Guivelondo "Meniong" Teves and nephew of former Finance Secretary Margarito Gary B.
Teves. On his father's side, he is the great grandson of Philippine president Jose P. Laurel and the son of
former Batangas Governor and current Ambassador to Japan José C. Laurel V.

Early years and education

Rajo told the Wall Street Journal in a 2015 interview that by the age of eleven he knew he wanted to be
a fashion designer. "I was a very rambunctious child full of energy. I had an epiphany quite early in my
life. I was part of The King and I, a local production. I was six at the time, and mesmerized by the power
of costumes. With clothes, you literally could be a normal person and become a king, just like that. I was
very lucky, because my grandmother founded a repertory theatre in the Philippines. I also remember
vividly how she instructed her seamstresses to make tea towels, maids’ uniforms and day dresses. One
day, I said 'Lola, no, no, you should design it this way.' That was my very first business transaction, and
she paid me 10 pesos."

Rajo Laurel attended De La Salle Santiago Zobel School in Muntinlupa City. He states that a major early
fashion influence was designer Louie Mamengo, whom he apprenticed with while studying at De La Salle
- College of Saint Benilde, at the start of his career. He credits Mamengo with being his first design
mentor.

Career

As the first-born son of a prominent political family, Rajo was under enormous pressure to enter politics.
Instead he pursued his dream of becoming a couturier. Laurel started his fashion line in 1993 with one
seamstress, designing clothes in a friend's basement. "Eventually," he recounted in an interview, "I had
25, and then I couldn’t handle things anymore. I was marketing and purchasing. I was the accountant,
designer, recruiter and quality control manager. Five years later, I asked my sister to join me."

House of Laurel

In 2000, Rajo Laurel and his sister Venisse Laurel-Hermano co-founded House of Laurel, a boutique
fashion house in Makati City. "I see it as a specialty boutique because we offer limited pieces per style,"
Laurel said. The boutique offers both couture as well as ready-to-wear apparel. "Made-to-order couture"
is what Laurel prefers to call his couture line. Each piece is referred to as a "mission" dress that is
designed to create a lasting impression, although is worn probably once or twice in a lifetime. "Designer
Ready-to-Wear" is how he describes his off-the-rack line.

Since then Laurel's business has expanded from couture to include staff uniforms for casinos, resorts and
hotels. The Rajo Laurel Group of Companies brought in US$1.7 million in revenue in 2014.

Rajo Laurel's clients include the Filipino presidents, celebrities and movie stars, and he has designed
dresses worn by notable international clients, including Tyra Banks, Maja Salvador, Natalia Zakharova,
Kylie Verzosa, and Dayanara Torres.

Besides Laurel's own fashions, House of Laurel showcases the work of other designers, and has featured
the work of Puey Quiñones, Charina Sarte, Eric de los Santos, Bea Valdes, and Rhett Eala.

Galas, exhibitions, and collections

Laurel's notable galas and exhibitions include his 2001 Optical Illusions show which introduced Philippine
fashion consciousness to the avant-garde, and his 2004 Habi show, held at the residence of the British
Ambassador to the Philippines, showcasing Philippine textiles.

Group shows and exhibitions include the Philippine Centennial Show (Sydney, 1997), Saks Fifth Avenue
Bridal Exhibition (New York, 2001) and the Ties That Bind; Shanghai-Philippines Expositions (Shanghai,
2003).

In 2004 and 2005, Laurel was chosen to represent the Philippines in the KL Fashion Week held in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. Following that, he was commissioned to design for companies and brands that include
Coke Light, The Net One Group, the Professional Models Association of the Philippines, and Bali Fashion
Week.

The Alliance Française de Manille's Five Senses Fashion Show in June 2007 featured 10 Filipino designers
interpretations of French perfumes. Laurel's Odore di Feminina or "Scent of a Woman" couture line
showcased models garbed in strapless white frocks, as well as Sabrina or mock turtleneck collars with
uneven, scalloped hemlines. The embroidery and appliques, the focal points of his designs, were
patterned after the petals of flowers used in the perfume.
#STRONGERNOW

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by Charlene J. Owen

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From a duffel bag of clothes, Roxanne Ang-Farillas built an empire. IMAGE COURTESY OF ROXANNE ANG-
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Roxanne Ang-Farillas, co-founder of the fashion giant Plains & Prints, started small.

As a young college student, Roxanne started selling clothes in school. “I would bring a duffel bag and
inside would be clothes and I would sell them to my classmates.”

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

She had always considered herself a creative person, and she was always interested in fashion. In fact,
she shares that what she sold in college were actually made by her and her mananahi. “We made [the
clothes] from scratch.” She would buy fabrics from Makati during her free time, as it was near La Salle,
where she studied, and go from there. “It’s just one silhouette kasi. Just a polo-type, button-down. Then
I would sell it to my friends.”

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Work and Money

This Pinay Proves a Business Isn't Just About Money: "You need to inspire other people"

Roxanne Ang-Farillas shares the journey of one of the most popular clothing brands in the local fashion
scene.

by Charlene J. Owen

JUL 19, 2019

0 Shares

Comments

From a duffel bag of clothes, Roxanne Ang-Farillas built an empire. IMAGE COURTESY OF ROXANNE ANG-
FARILLAS

FEATURED STORIES

Roxanne Ang-Farillas, co-founder of the fashion giant Plains & Prints, started small.

As a young college student, Roxanne started selling clothes in school. “I would bring a duffel bag and
inside would be clothes and I would sell them to my classmates.”
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

She had always considered herself a creative person, and she was always interested in fashion. In fact,
she shares that what she sold in college were actually made by her and her mananahi. “We made [the
clothes] from scratch.” She would buy fabrics from Makati during her free time, as it was near La Salle,
where she studied, and go from there. “It’s just one silhouette kasi. Just a polo-type, button-down. Then
I would sell it to my friends.”

Roxanne was a finance student, but her true love was fashion. IMAGE COURTESY OF ROXANNE ANG-
FARILLAS

It's a well-documented fact that Roxanne, then a finance student, was 20 years old when she was offered
a place to sell her wares. This was in 1994, long before social media could easily launch a business and
gain thousands of followers.

“We were given an opportunity to open an 11-square meter area in Greenhills… In two months time, we
were able to do it. It was very hard during that time because I was about to do my thesis also.” It took
about P150,000 for her to start what’s today known as one of the biggest fashion brands in the country.
“That included rent already, security deposit, and of course, the stocks.”

From that 11-square meter area, Plains & Prints managed to get store space in Robinson’s Department
Store. “Then we got Greenbelt Shopping Plaza. Then we opened another Greenhills store.” And as the
brand celebrates its 25th year, the rest, as they say, is history.
Menu

HOME

MOST POPULAR

FEATURED

ENTERTAINMENT

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BEAUTY

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Here's How You Can Book Flights, Pay in Installments Without a Credit Card

How to Be Smarter With Money Even If You Don't Have Much

FASHION AND BEAUTY

ENTERTAINMENT

RELATIONSHIPS

LIFESTYLE

WORK AND MONEY

BRIDAL BOOK

#STRONGERNOW

Work and Money

This Pinay Proves a Business Isn't Just About Money: "You need to inspire other people"

Roxanne Ang-Farillas shares the journey of one of the most popular clothing brands in the local fashion
scene.

by Charlene J. Owen

JUL 19, 2019

0 Shares

Comments

From a duffel bag of clothes, Roxanne Ang-Farillas built an empire. IMAGE COURTESY OF ROXANNE ANG-
FARILLAS

FEATURED STORIES

Roxanne Ang-Farillas, co-founder of the fashion giant Plains & Prints, started small.

As a young college student, Roxanne started selling clothes in school. “I would bring a duffel bag and
inside would be clothes and I would sell them to my classmates.”

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

She had always considered herself a creative person, and she was always interested in fashion. In fact,
she shares that what she sold in college were actually made by her and her mananahi. “We made [the
clothes] from scratch.” She would buy fabrics from Makati during her free time, as it was near La Salle,
where she studied, and go from there. “It’s just one silhouette kasi. Just a polo-type, button-down. Then
I would sell it to my friends.”

Roxanne was a finance student, but her true love was fashion. IMAGE COURTESY OF ROXANNE ANG-
FARILLAS

It's a well-documented fact that Roxanne, then a finance student, was 20 years old when she was offered
a place to sell her wares. This was in 1994, long before social media could easily launch a business and
gain thousands of followers.

“We were given an opportunity to open an 11-square meter area in Greenhills… In two months time, we
were able to do it. It was very hard during that time because I was about to do my thesis also.” It took
about P150,000 for her to start what’s today known as one of the biggest fashion brands in the country.
“That included rent already, security deposit, and of course, the stocks.”

From that 11-square meter area, Plains & Prints managed to get store space in Robinson’s Department
Store. “Then we got Greenbelt Shopping Plaza. Then we opened another Greenhills store.” And as the
brand celebrates its 25th year, the rest, as they say, is history.
Rachelle Solan was born in Manila in the squatters of the Philippines. She came to the UK at the age of 4
years old and her mother was a nurse that worked 3 different jobs. Rachelle grew up in a poor family
background where she was told 'we cannot afford' by her parents. While her mother worked 3 jobs, her
father went in and out of business and eventually the family went bankrupt due to being unable to run
businesses successfully.

Money problems tore Rachelle's family apart and Rachelle knew that she had to break the cycle in her
family history.

Rachelle has invested over £250,000 in her business education - that is not a university degree but real
business experiences and education.

Fast forward to the present, she is now a successful millionairess running and owning several 7 figure
businesses. She has built profitable businesses and sold them for 7 figures! She has created wealth and
an abundance of success for herself and her family. Her mission is now to educate and mentor all
entrepreneurs or aspiring business owners who want to make more money and learn how to be
successful in business. Rachelle wants to provide you the gift of making more money for yourself.