In his second run at the Rakuten Fashion Week in Shibuya, Tokyo, Ellis Co showcased how cultural and innovative designs can bring fashion to new heights
The combination of innovation and tradition is what pushes fashion forward. These two principles are what drives many designers to search for various means on how to offer unconventional creations—pieces that open the doors to many possibilities. We see this cycle time and time again, yet it still has the potential to surprise us regardless of the recurrence.
RELATED: Filipino Artistry and Tradition at Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo S/S 2024
This time around, the spotlight is on a Filipino designer who has brought local textiles to the international scene. Held in Shibuya, Tokyo for the Rakuten Fashion Week, Ellis Co had his designs walk the runway for the second time with collaboration in culture in mind.
It was a partnership between Japan’s quality fabrics and the Philippines’ indigenous textiles that truly captured the essence of the collection. With nine pieces in total, the collab was able to use local textiles like the binakol, which is a woven fabric from Northern Luzon, the inabel fabric that originates from Ilocos, and the well-known piña fabric. All of these were integrated in the collection with Ellis’ signature style.
The future-concept brand utilized the traditional textiles in a refreshing manner. The silhouettes were kept sleek with minimal detailing so that the main focus of the collection were the chosen fabrics. Instead of the usual drapings, Ellis meticulously infused each pattern to fit the design. From collar paneling to two-toned sleeves, it’s refreshing to see such textiles be used in a modern way.
The fabrics were seen deconstructed and fused into the designs in Ellis’ signature futuristic style. Although, what makes the execution interesting was the subtle optical illusion the inabel patterns had. Detailings like this are perfect examples of a cultural and transformational collection.
“The process of building the collection was definitely a creative journey that involved not only taking inspiration from our Filipino roots, but also looking into how we can continuously innovate and forward our art as designers into each concept.”
Ellis Co
Photos: ELLIS CO
