Dressed to kill

It all begins on the inside. At least according to Ronaldo Arnaldo. Originally a medical technologist, he turned to fashion when he could no longer resist its lure. After working and training under Mike de la Rosa for five years, designing his ready-to-wear line, this self-proclaimed fastidious designer quickly grasped the important aspects of design – mainly that it be beautiful and comfortable – which explains his design process, starting with the inner-workings of the garments, making sure that the seams are clean and the lining properly pinned and tucked. "Good clothes should feel good against your skin," he sagely advises. Being finicky about finishings is an exceptionally fab flaw to have, as Nancy Reagan once said about famed ‘70s designer James Galanos, "You can wear a Galanos dress inside out and no one would ever know." Handy advise for someone who’s had way too many memories of fidgeting uncomfortably in an itchy – but gorgeous – dress one too many times.

Having maintained a below-the-radar status for the past 10 years since he’s gone solo has helped him focus on his client list, designing everything from prom dresses and wedding gowns to formal regalia for important events. "I learned the tools of the trade way before I received any attention from the media," he says. Working quietly on his own has favored him with years of practical knowledge that few flashy young designers can compete with. One particular aspect is pricing. While hot young names press their luck with high – often impractical – prices, Ronaldo knows that finding a balance is the key to sustaining a happy client roster. "Times are hard," he says matter-of-factly. "It’s only right that you adjust accordingly."

Today, the low-key designer has been consistently dressing fashion-industry insiders like Mega editor in chief Carla Sibal. "His construction is amazing. And in terms of finishing, he rivals Inno Sotto!" she says. Having been influenced by the glory days of cinema, particularly during the heyday of Cleopatra’s very own Elizabeth Taylor, Rolando’s latest collection harks back to the golden age, with elegant floor-sweeping gowns and swingy mod-inspired dresses, all in a white, yellow and black palette.

Part ode to the Kennedy years and part interpretations of the wardrobes of silver screen goddesses, the latest dresses to swing out of Rolando’s rack have strong artisanal elements. Bold graphic patterns, crafted out of swatches of fabric in his strict palette of colors, ornament his elegant towers of off-white crepe. Adding refreshing touches like a double halter neckline are chic throwbacks to late ‘50s design.

Ronaldo’s ability to reference his childhood’s glory days, when women dressed like stars and wouldn’t be caught dead in sweatpants at the mall, marks this collection as a standout set. His healthy sense of humor, not exactly a requirement in fashion, doesn’t hurt either. Look at what it did for Alber Elbaz (in case you didn’t know his offbeat sense of style and innate knack for proportion propelled him from a Geoffrey Beene apprenticeship to head designer of the much-loved Lanvin). Ronaldo’s ruffled shorts, so short they could make a cheerleader blush, are cute without being cloying, kitschy without being annoyingly quirky. There’s definitely something to be said for a man who knows how to make a hot set of bun-covers.

Ronaldo Arnaldo may have been around for a while, but his time has finally come.

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Ronaldo Arnoldo can be contacted through 252-4369 and 0917-5259823.