An explorateur dressed in safari regalia fit for a modern prince, is the sort of man Filipino designer Rian Fernandez speaks to with his latest spring summer 2023 prêt-à-couture men’s collection showcased here at d3.

Known for his couture looks driven by a love for traditional Filipino artisanal craft, attention to detail and penchant for pageantry and flair, Fernandez constructs the wardrobe for a modern icon with the same language he speaks to his female clientele – in notes of crystals and elaborate beading made by local craftspeople.  Cleverly-placed was his whimsical logo in gold, emblazoned onto a boldly bare chest and onto sporty cropped tops. Elsewhere, a top of fluffy golden tassels amped up a head-to-toe leather look, while a cropped-sleeved white
dinner blazer and matching shorts spoke directly to his celebrity male clientele.

A designer for Miss Universe beauties over the past six years, Fernandez is one of the most awarded designers in the Philippines and a member of the Council of ASEAN Fashion designers. Known for his show-stopping glittering gowns, today he demonstrates that he possesses fine-tailoring credibility. Breezy summer suits fashioned in colonial-era style were this time crafted with utilitarian pockets, metallic buttons and soft nostalgic lapels. In the same vein, he transforms old images of the motorist and the hunter, transforming outerwear with a contemporary makeover, the latter grounded in retro notch lapels and traditional blazer elements.

Once again asserting himself onto the menswear arena, the La Salle College of the Arts-educated designer achieves an otherworldliness – one where warrior-culture inspiration resulted in luxe red carpet looks for an emboldened modern man who doesn’t feel the need to fit into cultural paradigms or abide by strict gender codes.  Infusing this week’s lineup with something totally fresh, Fernandez injects the week’s events with designs that conjure dreams and visions of the past imbued with forward-looking accents. Fit for a modern prince, floor-sweeping capes and quilted vests call to mind images of heroes of a bygone era during these pivotal times when we all need dreams more than ever.