Lifestyle
This Filipino designer is ready to bewitch New York City with his collection
This Filipino designer is ready to bewitch New York City with his collection
By John Legaspi
Thian Rodriguez is bringing his '3AM' collection to the Big Apple
Showcasing a collection in a major fashion city is the goal of many budding designers. And for one Filipino creative, that dream is about to become a reality. Thian Rodriguez is set to enchant New York with his spring-summer 2022 capsule line.
A former designer under the wings of master couturier Francis Libiran, Thian and his journey in fashion started when he was young, flipping through the pages of Sense and Sense magazine. He recalls seeing actress Maja Salvador on the cover, but it was an editorial about the works of Ellie Saab inspired by diamonds that awaken the creative within him. “I was so in awe of that collection that until this day I still have that magazine. I used to look at it every day. That’s where it started. At that point, I knew I want to pursue fashion,” he says.
After years of crafting elegant gowns for debutants and soon-to-be brides, Thian found his aesthetic as a designer with garments that are contemporary and edgy, a total opposite from his early creations. Showcasing his skills in leatherwork and hardware manipulation are his designs have been worn by the brightest stars, including Pia Wurtzbach, which was featured by Vogue Italia, and Grammy-winning artist Lizzo.
For his New York show, he is presenting his collection dubbed “3AM.” Inspired by his late-night design process and the witching hour myth, the line presents a well-rounded story of his life as a fashion designer, merging the soft and the hard, the light and the dark, and the traditional with the modern. The result is an overall dramatic display that is also rooted in his theatrical background.
“The main objective of the collection is to show my range as a designer,” he tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “When you see the collection, it is crazy. It is a mix and match of different materials and unexpected styling. Think of couture pieces matched with contemporary wear like tie-dye shirts.”
At the core of his collection is the Filipino creative spirit. To bring his pieces to life, Thian worked with the skills artisans of Marikina in manufacturing and producing his shoes, bags, and accessories. The tie-dye pieces are in collaboration with a Quezon City-based artist. While his signature leatherwork and metal detailing get a local twist with the Ticog Banig heritage of Basey, Samar, and intricate Nito basketry from Iloilo.
“I love working with artisans because of their experience. As a young designer, there are aspects I do not see, that I thought are doable,” Thian muses. “These artisans help me edit and revise my design to make things possible. They are the reason why my designs come to reality.”
“Whenever I have a chance to showcase abroad, I want my line to have a piece of our culture and history,” he adds. “I want them to ask questions and discover where the materials are from. then the story will flow.”
Thian will be debuting his creations in New York this December with fellow Filipino designers Angeli Abelo and Denesse Ramirez. You can follow their journey in “Stylish Docus” by Stylish Magazine on Cignal TV Colours Channel and on Cignal Play mobile app.