Thank you Rhett for inviting us to be part of your special anniversary celebration! I will never forget our days in Rustan’s and I will forever be a fan of yours! I never doubted your talent and creativity. You are a hero not only to me, not only to the company that you work for but to the whole country! You make us proud to be Filipino! More power to you!
Acclaimed fashion designer Rhett Eala’s recent celebration of his 20th year in the industry saw the partnership between prominent labels Jewelmer (the Filipino-French company specializing in South Sea Pearls) and top local retail brand Collezione-C2 coming together to present his grand anniversary fashion show entitled Rhett Eala Celebrating 20 Years at Whitespace, Makati.
Eala reveals that the partnership between him and the two brands goes beyond the celebration of his 20th anniversary, but also encompasses their shared passions. “Collezione-C2 and Jewelmer both have a heart for arts, culture and nationalism. We envision offering Filipinos extraordinary quality and innovation through our products—but more than that, we are avid champions of homegrown talent.”
The much-anticipated and highly-lauded show, directed by Robbie Carmona and Jackie Aquino, was presented in two parts; with the first featuring the Holiday 2010 Collection of Collezione-C2, and the second showcasing Eala’s stunning new couture creations, accentuated with exquisite jewellery pieces from Jewelmer and shoes from Stella Luna.
Collezione-C2’s Holiday Collection presents stylish travel wear for the Global Filipino
Collezione-C2’s 2010 Holiday Collection successfully struck a balance between what is most desirous of international retail labels and maintaining that significant and weighty emotional connection to country.
Inspired by faraway places and those who conquer them, the statement seemed to be to keep it current, classic, and very Collezione, but to take it as far as it can go.
Pieces peppered with its signature icons, the Map and the Key, continue the “Fashionalism” fever, but creative director Rhett Eala had many -other tricks up his sleeve, and took the clothes a step further. The result was an entirely wearable and travel-worthy collection that both retained the brand’s strong heritage and showcased its proclivity for innovation.
Utilizing fabrics and materials that hold up against the rigors of traveling around the world, such as cotton jersey, fleece, nylon and acrylic, the Holiday Collection presented preppy staples with playful twists and urbane athletic wear in modern silhouettes ¾stylishly slouchy and relaxed separates for men and sexy stretch for women.
The measured color palette echoed this season’s penchant for neutral tones, but shots of vibrant piping, bright patterns and checks kept it interesting. Combinations of white, gray, and black, and layered monochromatic tones added visual depth, while accessories ¾from belts to bags¾ finished off looks perfect for those jaunts abroad.
Fusing chic with comfort, the pieces were spot on in terms of quality and contemporary trends, but remained true to the brand’s aesthetic: ‘global Filipino fashion’.
“Travel shouldn’t be about losing oneself, but a journey of discovering and reaffirming who you are,” says Rhett. “When I created this collection, I wanted to remind Filipinos that identity isn’t bound by time or place.”
Trendy, rack-relevant, and versatile, Collezione-C2’s Holiday Collection allows you to indulge your wanderlust, while still being able to take a piece of home with you.
A Perfect Match
High fashion and fine South Sea pearl jewellery come together to create a sublime vision of Filipino artistry
Couture and pearls: wearable works of art that embrace womanly curves, accentuated by the lustrous glow of pearls. The marriage of the two is a veritable feast for the eyes, unmistakably sophisticated and luxurious.
Pearls have long added glitter to runways all over the world, as designers find more and more ways to combine high fashion with these lustrous gems. Whether sewn onto gowns or worn in cascading garlands, or as statement brooches and hairpieces, the possibilities are endless for these unique jewels. Variations range from classic to avant garde, as designers push the envelope to express themselves and wow fashionistas.
Filipino designers have often used pearls to accentuate original couture. One such individual is designer Rhett Eala, who has collaborated with Jewelmer, the Philippines’ premier producer of fine South Sea pearl jewellery, in a number of fashion shows.
“It’s both a challenge and a pleasure,” he says about working with pearls. “We want the jewellery to stand out while at the same time we want the clothes to look good. Actually, it’s when you match the two that it really comes alive.”
Wearing the pearl has special meaning for the Filipino. Besides being one of the few countries in the world that can produce these large and lustrous gems, the South Sea pearl is the Philippines’ National Gem.
Such national pride gets an even more exquisite interpretation in the Las Islas Collection by Jewelmer, first seen during Eala’s 20th Anniversary show last October 5. This collection is a prized possession for the patriotic pearl lover and fashionista, as it features a gorgeous South Sea pearl floating on a map of the Philippines in 18-karat gold.
Eala has also been working as Creative Director for Collezione-C2 since 2006; and it was with the resurgent retail brand that his rise within the industry was further bolstered. His brainchild, the iconic My Pilipinas line of map shirts, articulated identity and pride in country, leading the renaissance of the local movement and the fashionalism fever.
“Having Rhett on board with us has been nothing short of fantastic,” shares Collezione-C2 Managing Director Joey Qua. “Our partnership is a strong one, and we are continually inspired by his endless creativity and consummate talent. Collezione-C2’s objective is to create products that merge art, fashion and nationalism; while being globally relevant in terms of quality and design. And Rhett understands this very well.”
The world of fashion is certainly not for the faint of heart—out of countless designers striving to make their mark in the industry, only a handful emerge victorious. Eala, being one of these select few, stresses that his road to success was far from smooth sailing.
“There had been challenges, naturally, but even those serve a purpose ¾to strengthen resolve, to think, explore and discover more, to realize that things are not always what they seem. I have been designing for 20 years but I still find my work fascinating, probably because it is my passion,” Eala reveals.
He adds: “Looking ahead, I see only life and its many possibilities. So this grand anniversary show is not just a celebration of what I’ve already achieved—it’s also a celebration of the people who have helped me get to where I am now, and of greater things to come.”
Supported by two great brands and powered by his own continuing passion and vision for global Filipino fashion, Eala’s grand anniversary show was indeed an unforgettable affair that reinforced his reputation as one of the country’s best and finest fashion designers and artists. Yes, this Filipino has certainly made his mark.
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it is only now, oct 26 that i have seen this. CONGRATULATIONS TO RHETT. YOU MAKE US ALL PROUD. OF COURSE THE PICTURE THAT TOUCHED ME MOST WAS THAT OF YOU EMBRACING YOUR MOTHER. IT IS TRULY A MOMENT THAT IS UNFORGETTABLE. AGAIN, WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN 20 YEARS IS UNBELIEVABLE. MORE POWER