My close encounter with Tito Rajo

MANILA, Philippines - Last May 29, I got to go to the House of Laurel (by Rajo Laurel) launch of its new collection for Rajito, his couture line for kids. The collection is mostly composed of children’s dresses and polos. This collection carries mostly spring and pastel colors which really draw the little ones’ eyes, especially because each piece is unique with different patterns and amps, styles and stories.

Tito Rajo was inspired to make kid couture when his siblings couldn’t find brands that really suited their own children. For the styles, he simply recalled his childhood. He usually wore crisp polos and jeans because they were very practical, yet comfortable and proper. He said that his collection is really for kids, because they’re fashionable but comfortable.

Tito Rajo makes his pamangkins (nieces/nephews) to try/test the clothes first before they put them on the racks. It’s also cute when they try them on because it’s the adults “interviewing” them about how they feel about the clothing.

 The really cool thing about this event was that it was simple, yet very personal in a very unique way! The guests/clients who came to this event, were of course little kids! The activities were:

• A clothing design contest with a style wall where the sketches were posted,

• Headband and cuff/bracelet customization/personalization-swatches of the fabrics from the collection were used to customize and personalize colored headbands and felt bracelets,

• Decorate-your-own-doughnut and

• Glamorize pencils.

After the event, my mom and I were able to hang out with Tito Rajo and tour his style studio. First, he showed us the clothes off the rack and told us a thing or two about his inspiration for the dresses and polos. Then, he walked us through and showed us the lounge/waiting area which has a giant shelf with thousands of magazines!

We also saw the salon. Yes, this is a one-stop shop! It’s very chic and neat! After that, he finally took us to his office — the best part of the studio!! The first thing you’ll see when you enter is a desk with loads of neatly-arranged colored pencils and stacks of drawing paper.

Across that, are three vintage-looking mannequins. His office also has a loft which also transforms into a “brainstorming room” where he and his team plan different ideas and designs for different collections. That same room also has thousands of magazines! I can’t believe Tito Rajo has a complete collection of Vogue magazines since 1984!! Amazing!

His office is a haven. I can literally stay there the whole day and not get bored if I had one exactly like it! He says he looooves to go to work and looks forward to it every day! He goes to work at 8 a.m. and stays until 6 p.m.  No wonder he is so successful. He is totally engaged in his work.

Tito Rajo is one of the most amazing persons I really look up to. I love the fact that his clients go a long way back.  A lot of them were even debutantes when he first met them and became blushing brides later on!

And now, their kids are his clients who also love his designs! Fun Fact: My mom and Tito Rajo also go a long way back! They were classmates in grade school! How cool is that? Maybe that’s why I feel a special bond with him, too.

Perhaps one day I can pursue the same path Tito Rajo did and learn the discipline needed to be successful and significant in the fashion industry. Perhaps I can be an inspiration to others as well just like Tito Rajo is to me now.