Top Filipino Designer Rajo Laurel Just Turned Childhood Nostalgia Into a Masterclass of Modern Design
Designer Rajo Laurel explores the instinctive wonder of childhood through a sophisticated interplay of vibrant hues, fluid silhouettes, and nostalgic design
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A meditation on memory
Filipino fashion house RAJO, led by Rajo Laurel, debuts its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, “Child’s Play.” This personal exploration of storytelling reflects on how the colors and experiences of early life shape our consciousness, later emerging as nostalgia, comfort, or joy.
Rajo aims to capture the honesty of how children engage with the world, responding to color without hesitation or judgment.
Intentional color
The philosophy behind the collection draws inspiration from the visionary work of Nina Tolstrup, particularly her Bethnal Green Mews House, where color is utilized with both playfulness and precision.
The palette utilizes soft neutrals and warm earth tones to create a foundation of calm, punctuated by unexpected infusions of electric blue, citrus, and saturated primaries. These colors reveal themselves gradually through movement, appearing in a lining, a panel, or a detail that unfolds upon closer inspection.
Fluidity and refined play
The garments in “Child’s Play” are designed to be experiential, inviting a mindful engagement between wearer and fabric. Construction echoes the spontaneity of play while maintaining the brand’s signature codes.
Materials were chosen for their aesthetic qualities and their ability to absorb, reflect, and transform color under varying conditions. The result is a collection that invites a slower and curiosity-driven approach to fashion.
New beginnings and availability
Coinciding with the launch, RAJO has expanded its physical presence with a new boutique on the 2nd Level of SM Aura Premier, which opened on April 6, 2026.
The SS26 collection will be available at The RAJO Store locations in Power Plant Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, and SM Aura Premier starting April 11, 2026, with an online launch on rajolaurel.com on April 14.
Frequently Asked Questions
Child’s Play is RAJO’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, conceived as a personal exploration of how the colors and experiences of early childhood shape consciousness — later surfacing as nostalgia, comfort, or joy. The collection draws on designer Rajo Laurel’s reflection on the honesty and instinctive color response of children.
The palette is built on soft neutrals and warm earth tones as a calm foundation, punctuated by electric blue, citrus, and saturated primaries. These accent colors are revealed gradually through movement — appearing in linings, panels, or details that unfold upon closer inspection rather than asserting themselves immediately.
The collection draws from the work of designer Nina Tolstrup, particularly her Bethnal Green Mews House, where color is used with both playfulness and precision. Laurel translates this influence into garments where materials are chosen for their ability to absorb, reflect, and transform color under varying light conditions.
The Child’s Play SS26 collection is available at RAJO Store locations in Power Plant Mall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, and SM Aura Premier from April 11, 2026. An online launch follows on April 14, 2026, at rajolaurel.com. A new RAJO boutique also opened at SM Aura Premier on April 6, 2026.
Rajo Laurel is one of the Philippines’ most established fashion designers and the creative director of the Filipino fashion house RAJO. The brand is known for its refined construction, considered use of color, and collections that engage with Filipino cultural identity and contemporary design thinking.
