Summertime dressing can be defined in three words: carefree, colorful, and cheerful. Pieces should be an invitation for joyful moments, a taste of adventure, and a celebration of easy, sun-soaked days that feel endlessly nostalgic.

For noted Filipino fashion designer Rajo Laurel, all those themes are reflective of childhood, the wonder that comes from seeing the world with fresh eyes and finding joy in the simplest of moments. That’s why for Spring-Summer 2026, he crafted a collection that is a meditation on color, memory, and the quiet yet powerful language of imagination.

Dubbed “Child’s Play,” the collection is inspired by Danish-born, London-based designer Nina Tolstrup’s works, specifically the Bethnal Green Mews House. The collection reflects an environment where color is both playful and precise. Boldness exists alongside restraint, and every hue carries intention.

Rajo translated this philosophy through a medley of colors and textures. Soft neutrals, earth tones, and quiet pastels are accented with bold hues, from electric blue to bursts of citrus and saturated primaries. These curated tones echo how the colors we encounter in childhood imprint themselves onto our consciousness, resurfacing years later as fragments of nostalgia, comfort, or joy.

“There is a certain honesty in how children engage with the world,” Rajo says. “They respond to color without hesitation or judgment. That purity of response—of simply liking something because it brings joy—is something I wanted to revisit in this collection.”

The idea of play is also present in the selection of materials. Fabrics are chosen not only for their aesthetic qualities but for how they interact with color—how they absorb, reflect, and transform it under different conditions. The result is a kaleidoscopic collection that invites curiosity, something that is often left behind in adulthood.

Marking a significant moment for the brand, Rajo Laurel’s namesake label further expands its presence with the opening of its newest boutique on the second level of SM Aura Premier on April 6, 2026. The space echoes the collection’s philosophy—an environment where design is both intentional and immersive, allowing visitors to engage with the pieces in a setting that mirrors their conceptual roots.

“Child’s Play” will be available at The Rajo Store starting April 11, 2026, and on rajolaurel.com starting April 14. The Rajo Store is also located at Power Plant Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, and SM Aura Premier.