Malikhaing Pinoy LAHI Program brings Rajo Laurel into the center stage for the unveiling of his 30-piece couture collection abroad.
LAHI is a 30-piece couture collection by Filipino designer Rajo Laurel, created in collaboration with fellow designers Arnel Papa, Celestina (Tina Maristela) Ocampo, Cholo Ayuyao, Monchette Olives, MX STUDIO by Maxine Santos, and HABI: The Philippine Textile Council.
The collection is presented under Malikhaing Pinoy, the Department of Trade and Industry’s initiative that champions Filipino creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation worldwide.
Translating to “race” or “heritage,” LAHI asks a resonant question on the global runway: Who is the Filipino today? Laurel answers through silhouettes, textiles, and materials sourced across the archipelago, including piña, abaca, jusi, and T’nalak, to capiz, ramie, and handwoven straw. Each piece is grounded in the story and tradition of the country.
Bangkok’s emergence as Southeast Asia’s fashion hub makes it a strategic stage for the collection. For Laurel, whose international showcases have been few due to limited platforms and funding, the DTI partnership signals a meaningful shift. Government-backed support not only enables global exposure but positions Filipino couture within the broader ASEAN creative economy, one that values heritage craft alongside contemporary design.
LAHI shares a collection that portrays connection between regions and cultures. Archival pieces sit beside reimagined classics like the Barong Tagalog and the mestiza ensemble, reframed with modern proportions and bold styling. Accessories such as sculptural headpieces to reworked sapatilya shoes are set to highlight the country’s rich history.
Malikhaing Pinoy: LAHI rejects the idea that Filipino design must conform to global aesthetics to be considered world-class. Instead, it invites the world to see Filipino beauty deeply rooted in its humble beginnings.
The show is set on January 30 in Bangkok, Thailand. For more updates, visit DTI Philippines’ Official Facebook page.