DTI Presents Rajo Laurel’s Lahi Collection
DTI and Rajo Laurel spotlight Philippine heritage with Lahi fashion showcase in Bangkok.
By Art+ Magazine Team
Photos courtesy of Alexis Dave Co
December 20, 2025
Continuing its mission to champion Philippine creativity, cultural diplomacy, and the growth of the country’s creative economy, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), through the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC), presents the artistic showcase “Malikhaing Pinoy: Lahi.” This event celebrates Philippine heritage through a stunning 30-piece couture collection by acclaimed Filipino designer Rajo Laurel. The collection promises an inspired visual journey exploring Philippine identity, history, community, and geography, weaving these elements into a harmonious narrative.
Scheduled for January 30, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand, this grand Philippine fashion presentation marks a milestone in the partnership between PCIDC and Thailand’s Creative Economy Agency (CEA). This alliance fosters cross-border collaboration and provides a strategic platform for trade and cultural exchange.
A Look into Rajo Laurel’s Creative Journey for Lahi
Rajo Laurel
“’Who is the Filipino?’ This is the question I explore in this collection, Lahi,” reflects Rajo Laurel. “Fashion has been my medium to understand heritage, identity, and culture—not only through materials, but through how our people interact, the values that guide us, and how these stories can remain relevant for today and for future generations.”
He adds, “Being Filipino can mean many things. There is no single definition of our culture. With Lahi, my perspective bridges who we are and who we can become. Understanding our roots empowers the future.”
Laurel’s evocative design language is complemented by handcrafted accessories created exclusively for the collection by some of the country’s most celebrated artisans, including Arnel Papa, Celestina Maristela Ocampo, Cholo Ayuyao, Monchét Diokno Olives, and MX Studios by Maxine Santos Tuaño. Together, they complete the vision with head-to-toe looks that bring the narrative vividly to life.
DTI Malikhaing Pinoy presents LAHI featuring creations by (left to right) Arnel Papa, Maxine Santos Tuaño, Rajo Laurel, Celestina Maristela Ocampo, and Monchét Olives
The collection fuses history, identity, geography, and community through Laurel’s contemporary artistic lens. He emphasizes, “Lahi is a storyboard of Philippine fashion developed through collaboration. Bayanihan is a core Filipino value. There is strength in creating a point of view together with other Filipino creatives. This dialogue opens up, deepens the conversation, and allows us to experiment, direct, and define new ideas and voices. The process was truly exciting and enriching.”
Malikhaing Pinoy: Design Exploration and Collaborations
The “Mestiza” ensemble reinterprets the traditional palma and camisa/blusa attire using woven and dyed jusi fabric from Iloilo, paired with a skirt crafted from raw silk and abaca sourced from Abra. This look is accentuated by black silk royal blooms with coq feathers, meticulously crafted in Pampanga by Cholo Ayuyao, showcasing exquisite Filipino craftsmanship.
Inspired by Mindanao’s vibrant festivals, the “Kadayawan” features a bodice of hand-woven straw from Sorsogon and cropped culottes made with a “jut”-inspired technique combining rayon and silk from Ilocos, highlighting regional weaving traditions.
The “Datu” draws from the rich heritage of the T’boli tribe, pairing paper silk with ramie linen trousers and the traditional malong, accented by a tampipi from Benguet and a large bead tassel from Dumaguete—exemplifying the depth of indigenous materials and culture.
Modern takes on the classic barong tagalog are seen in the “Manileña” and “Bagong Barong” ensembles, crafted from jusi and styled with farmer-inspired silhouettes and jute bibs. These are completed with handmade stampitas by Cholo Ayuyao and lanyard abaniko by Monchét Diokno Olives of Casa de la Mercedes, highlighting the collaborative spirit and regional artistry of Filipino craftsmen.
Inspired by world-renowned Baguio weaver Nada Capunan, another ensemble celebrates Mountain Province’s earthy tones and storytelling through weaving, paired with a crocodile bag by Masbate-born Celestina Maristela Ocampo, creating a textured, multidimensional visual feast that highlights Filipino creativity.
“Paradiso,” developed in collaboration with Arnel Papa, pays tribute to Palawan’s natural beauty. The gown incorporates Palawan’s world-class pearls and capiz shells from Bacolod, paired with an oversized raffia straw clutch, creating a striking and ethereal effect. This ensemble exemplifies the innovative use of Philippine materials and imaginative design.
