Nature Speaks Through Ziv Rei Alexi’s Hands
Erosion—nature’s ultimate slow couture. A textured, stone-like hooded jacket and matching lower garment, both crafted to resemble weathered rock, symbolize Filipino designer Ziv’s daring approach to fashion: melding raw textures with sleek silhouettes
Where earth meets design
Erosion stands as nature’s patient sculptor, and in the hands of Filipino designer Ziv Rei Alexi, it becomes a fashion statement that bridges the gap between geological processes and contemporary couture. Her pieces meticulously capture the essence of weather-beaten rock formations, shaped by natural forces for centuries, with a crafted hooded jacket and coordinating lower garments.
The clothes showcase an extraordinary attention to detail, with surfaces that mirror the patterns found in eroded limestone cliffs and wind-carved canyons. Each garment tells a story of time’s passage as seen in the subtle gradients and tactile variations that seem to have been carved by invisible rivers of air and water. The hooded jacket, in particular, demonstrates Ziv’s approach to textile manipulation by incorporating multiple layers of fabric that look treated, distressed, and sculpted to achieve the authentic appearance of stratified rock.
Sculpted in time
What makes these clothes striking is Ziv’s ability to maintain a contemporary silhouette while working with complex textures. The garments manage to be both avant-garde and wearable, which strikes a delicate balance between artistic expression and functional design. The hood’s dramatic draping creates shadows that enhance the erosion effect, while the lower garment’s cut emphasizes movement and fluidity, despite its rigid and geological inspiration.
This fusion of natural phenomena with high fashion represents a broader movement in contemporary design, where environmental influences are increasingly shaping creative expression. Ziv’s work serves as a reminder that fashion can be both a mirror of our natural world and a medium for artistic innovation.
The pieces not only pay homage to the power of natural processes but also demonstrate how modern fashion can transcend traditional boundaries and create pieces that are simultaneously thought-provoking art installations and sophisticated wardrobe statements.
This story appears in the pages of VMAN SEA 01: now available for purchase!
Photography BJ Pascual
Creative direction Vince Uy
Fashion Roko Arceo
Grooming Thazzia Falek
Grooming assistants George Dillinger, Vincci Tardes, and Jhessie Recto
Hair Patty Cristobal
Nails Luz Fortuno (Triple Luck Brow and Nail Salon)
Retouching Summer Untalan
Model Jubei Caceres (IM Agency)
Production Jones Palteng
On location PioneerX Studios
