Cool, casual, and with the right hint of character—that's what street style should be. What people wear on the pavement has inspired the fashion industry's biggest brands and names for years. Not only has street style championed the self-expression aspect of dressing up, but it has also created communities around the globe who share a passion for style.

In the Philippines, sustainably made clothes and vintage pieces have been dominating the scene. However, one element not often seen in street style is the country’s tapestries. That is about to change as one designer merges local textiles with his contemporary aesthetic.

Recently, Thian Rodriguez unveiled his diffusion line, Tiano, featuring shirts with indigenous textiles. Known for his maximalist creations and designs for celebrities—characterized by hardware, leatherwork, and dramatic silhouettes—Rodriguez has long been asked to create a ready-to-wear line. He feels that this year is the right time to launch it.

“It needs to have a purpose,” Thian tells Style Weekend. “I love streetwear. I want to make clothes that are comfortable, not high maintenance, but still bear a designer’s stamp. That’s Tiano for me.”

As someone who designs runway pieces and performance looks, Thian admits that creating a ready-to-wear collection wasn’t easy. Finding the right balance between design and wearability was key, and that's what he has achieved.

Tiano’s shirts are made of cotton, providing wearers with ultimate comfort whether they are spending a weekend in the city or somewhere exotic. One of Thian’s goals for the collection is to highlight the Philippines’ weaving heritage. The shirts feature patchworked binakol and kantarines from the northern region of the country, presented in his signature red, black, and white color palette.

“I also want to highlight Filipino fabrics. I’m from the North and grew up in a family that always spoke Ilokano,” Thian says. “As for the colors, I want them to clearly reflect my design, still very much Thian. I also want the pieces to be very affordable without compromising quality and design.”

Tiano shirts (P2,500) are available at the Filipino Design Studio in the Kultura store at SM Podium, Mandaluyong City. The event dedicated to local crafts and products runs until Aug. 31.

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