Choosing my religion

The first thing I noticed when I stepped into the Religioso boutique at Shangri-La Plaza Mall was how everything seemed to be rather daring. The walls were adorned with three-dimensional modern art, the furniture pieces were very structural. The store’s palettes bordered on bright and bold hues. This sense definitely carried through into their clothing pieces.

When I browsed through the clothing rack of Religioso, the shop’s signature line for ladies, I immediately noticed that a lot of work went into them. There were tops with puffed sleeves with plenty of detailing; dresses that were dramatic and followed strong linear patterns; skirts meticulously tailored and precise.

Religioso by Marty Ilagan, the shop’s sports line for men and women, shows a lot of character in color and pattern. There are checkered pants, shorts and tops in bright pastels that reminded me of the colors used in Sofia Coppola’s period piece, Marie Antoinette.

Religioso is definitely not for the conventional and the owners reflect that. Yvette Religioso-Ilagan and Choc Religioso-Dayrit have always had a strong sense for design since they were young. Choc pursued a degree in fashion design while Yvette pursued interior design as a second major. Today, Yvette basically designs the clothes for Religioso while Choc takes care of the technical side. Marty Ilagan never had any formal fashion design background but is a graduate of architecture. He developed his fashion sense through his eye for detail. He’s an avid golfer and got tired of wearing the traditional patterns and colors of golf clothes and decided to design his own clothes. These soon caught the eye of his fellow golfers and orders started coming in.

I asked Yvette a few questions about her beautiful store and her sense of style.

YStyle: What’s the Religioso concept?

Yvette Religioso-Ilagan: I have always loved details in what I wear and so when the space became available I thought of coming up with a store that would offer the styles I would normally wear and at the same time be unique and offer things not found in any other store.

What’s the Religioso look?

They are classic pieces that are reinvented with unique details. For Religioso by Marty Ilagan, adventurous. An out-of-the-ordinary color combination that, when put together, is hip.

Religioso is targeted at whom?

Women who love classic designs with extraordinary details. It is also for women with a modern lifestyle and people who are adventurous.

Religioso is not for…

Women who are not adventurous and are afraid to wear unconventional styles. The sports line is not for conservative people.

What can you mix with the label’s apparel?

Basically anything, like jeans, shorts, skirts, trousers, leggings and fashionable accessories like jewelry, shoes and bags.

Who are your design icons?

Carolina Herrera since she looks so classy and timeless. I love her style. And Jasper Parnevik since he started the adventurous golfing look.

What are your design peeves?

Wearing something that isn’t flattering to one’s body type like oversized shirts, pants with pleats and baggy pants.

What’s in the future for Religioso?

To continuously reinvent ourselves with more creative designs and ensure the quality of our clothes that would make our clients happy and ultimately capture the international market.

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E-mail your comments to djmontano@pacific.net.ph.