This house shouts style

IDesigner Rajo Laurel very recently opened the doors of his spanking new RTW shop, House of Laurel, in Makati. Rajo Laurel-ians – loyal clients and dear friends of this design genius – flocked to the store to check out his three new lines: Rajo, 9 months and Rajito.

Rajo is the bridge-line of his couture designs. Laurel took his best selling couture items and transformed them into RTW tops and bottoms. This comes in very handy when one has that immediate event or special occasion to go to but doesn’t have the opportunity to have something specially made. An added plus to this offering is the fact that the RTW items cost much less than having a Rajo made-to-order. Patrons of this line are also assured that it’s very unlikely you’ll run into someone wearing the same item since they will only be releasing a limited quantity of two pieces per size per design.

Ladies who have buns baking in their oven often dread the thought of going out and having to look unglamorous by having to wear oversized dresses and tent-like blouses. Fret no more, Rajo’s 9 Months changes the mind-set of preggy equals baggy. Venisse Laurel, Rajo’s sister and right-hand lady says that 9 Months celebrates your femininity by baring your belly. Lines are svelte and form-fitting, emphasizing that beautiful ball of joy. I ran into Felicia Atienza (who’s due very soon) during the launch sporting a 9 Months dress and she looked wonderful. Venisse adds that the 9 Months line holds great value since they also look great when worn after giving birth.

Former wedding dress clients of Rajo often come back to him after giving birth to prod him to design clothes for their kids and so came the idea of Rajito — Rajo for toddlers. Designs will make the cutest baby even more adorable. Each piece is also practical, given that each item was designed for a lot of comfort and durability for that ever-bubbly child.

The House of Laurel also has a section for accessories. Rajo personally handpicked a lot of the pieces on display from his frequent travels. Great picks are vintage bags and accent belts. Fashionistas Bea Locsin and Tina Tinio were seen leaving the store with at least two bags apiece.

The evening of the launch saw ladies aggressively living shopaholic tendencies as items were excitedly pulled off the racks into the fitting rooms and out of the store amidst frenzied "I’ll take it!" statements. The brisk mood was made even livelier with yummy champagne cocktails, wine and delish hors d’oeuvres catered by Rajo loyalist Malu Gamboa’s El Cirkulo. My only disappointment that evening was that there was nothing for men, alas. I was pleased to hear that the men’s lines will be launched in a few weeks. Splendid!

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The House of Laurel is located at: 6013 Villena corner Manalac St., Poblacion, Makati Tel 890-1686

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Email djmontano@pacific.net.ph