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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Fashion and Beauty devider Rhett Eala's love letter to fashion and the women who inspire it

Rhett Eala's love letter to fashion and the women who inspire it

The Filipino fashion designer celebrates his life in design with a grand runway show at Red Charity Gala

Published Oct 7, 2025 10:26 pm
Rhett Eala is a Filipino designer who understands a woman’s love for fashion. His creations are best described as comfortable, but in a way that makes the wearer not only feel at ease but also confident. They are never intimidating and don’t compete with her beauty. Instead, they highlight it through his thoughtful choice of colors, fabrics, and techniques. His designs aren’t just clothes that hang in the closet—they are like good friends, companions you want to have by your side as you go out and create more moments and memories.
Jasmine Maierhofer, Kaye Tinga, Rhett Eala, Tessa Prieto, Piolo Pascual, and Ben Chan
Jasmine Maierhofer, Kaye Tinga, Rhett Eala, Tessa Prieto, Piolo Pascual, and Ben Chan
When he was tapped to headline this year’s Red Charity Gala—whose runway has long been graced by the most revered Filipino fashion designers—Rhett chose to look inward, rediscovering the design codes that made him a beloved name among the chicest Filipinas, but this time elevated.
On Oct. 4, 2025, at the Rigodon Ballroom of The Peninsula Manila in Makati City, Rhett unveiled over 50 new works that could be summed up as a love letter to his journey in fashion. This beautiful collection was crafted in silk organdy, silk chiffon, Swiss lace, moire, and taffeta.
“I took inspiration from my past works and wanted to bring them forward to the present time,” Rhett told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “It was also inspired by many things—films I’ve watched, designers I idolized in my youth. Basically, it was inspired by my journey in life.”
Opening his chandelier-illuminated checkerboard runway were designs that celebrated ladylike dressing. Muses carrying parasols paraded in monochromatic looks adorned with pleats, feathers, flounces, and metallic florals. This was followed by new silhouettes from his “Bright Young Things” series, which featured his cage dress, crafted from fabrics that served as mementos of his past travels.
The runway eventually bloomed with pastels and jewel tones, with ensembles featuring large rosettes, intricate beadwork, and tiered ruffles. Fringe—one of his signature design elements—made a graceful return. Think of the preliminary gown Maxine Medina wore at the 2016 Miss Universe pageant. This time, Rhett reimagines it with restraint, in the form of floor-length gowns, menswear tops, and bejeweled dresses.
Among Rhett’s standout pieces were designs with bookleaf motifs, as well as ensembles with hand-painted Tipos del Pais prints. While his womenswear remains a study in modern classics, his take on menswear is more contemporary. His suits featured keyhole openings and buttons at the back, trousers were wide and pleated, and workwear pieces were elevated with luxe textiles.
The 14th edition of the Red Charity Gala, led by philanthropists Tessa Prieto and Kaye Tinga, benefited the Assumption HS 81 Foundation, Hope for Lupus Foundation, and the Philippine Red Cross, while also raising funds to aid survivors of the recent Cebu earthquake.

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