In his artistic journey of 35 years, fashion designer Rhett Eala has built his fashion legacy—one that blends traditional Filipino styles with modern wearability. His creations feature intricate details, rich fabrics, and bold colors. Showcasing elegance and cultural heritage, his collections through the years have highlighted Filipino identity and creative freedom.

This year, the Red Charity Gala (RCG) features the latest collection of Eala with 56 showpieces that embody his design evolution. Maturing with experience and life lessons, Eala defines his aesthetics as a blend of bold couture and wearable fashion. His main inspiration comes from his travels, where he buys fabrics from all over the world. From there, he builds his collection beginning with color and texture.

Here is our chat with Eala, who, after the successful RCG, is looking forward to a vacation and maybe starting his ready-to-wear men’s line.

Oh my gosh, Rhett! This has been a journey for both of us. You have been part of the RCG almost from day one, and it’s so fitting that after 12 to 13 years, you are our featured designer!

Yes, I’m very honored. I never really dreamed of it. But you know, when you told me, I was like, in a state of shock.

Are you kidding me? Come on, couture is like in your blood already and all! How have you evolved as a designer?

Well, I guess, as a designer, as a person, you also mature, you go through all these things, you experiment, you make mistakes.

How do you define couture? How about ready-to-wear? Do you have the clients in mind, your market, or do you feel that it’s still your take?

When you do couture, it’s more about fantasy, about occasion, about doing something special. When you do ready-to-wear, it’s for everyday use.

Yeah, it’s my take also. And then also, I want to introduce new things to my clients. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

Do you feel that your clients have now evolved as well?

Yes, of course. I started in 1990, so this is actually my 35th year in fashion. But I’m not into celebrating. It is a milestone because it’s Red Charity. (laughs) [But yes,] people were a lot more petite then… they were more body-conscious. But now, a lot of people like loose-fitting stuff.

I know you don’t like doing brides anymore.

Yeah, because it takes so much of my time. I do ninangs, it’s more my age group, more moms… but brides… I still choose.

Do you feel that times have also progressed? In fact, my wardrobe has never had so many terno dresses. It’s only now. Do you feel that [it’s] because people are now more nationalistic? Or there’s some sense of Pinoy pride in your fashion?

Before, di ba terno was always just for formal wear, but now it’s everyday wear. Even our government requires people to wear something Filipino on Mondays. So it’s part of our life now.

Let’s talk about your collection now for RCG. What was your thought process for this collection?

When you told me, it was in the middle of TernoCon, I wanted to be different. This [has to have] more color. I think my process started after TernoCon, which is less than a year [ago]. So I was thinking of my fringes, and then my brocade, my print dresses.

Is there any particular new introduction at the show?

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More beach dresses.

When you did the collection, did you start off with just five elements and then build on [them]?

Yeah, I looked at my past collections also. I wanted to establish the DNA of my brand. So those are the things, like pleating, the ruffles, especially the fabric.

How do you blend everything? You know how there’s so much noise in fashion now, [but] how do you [find your] center and make it cohesive?

That’s why I started with black and white. Then I said, “Oh, maybe no, I should do the color and maximize it.”

Before I go, I wanted to talk about [your] men’s collection…. you know, there’s very little men’s ready-to-wear. Would you consider it?

Yes. I love my men’s collection because it is inspired by the things I used to wear when I was much younger. Like, the jumpsuit, the blazers… This one, maybe I can make it ready-to-wear.

I think you should start it and be the designer that has options for men or for, you know, those [with] masculine tastes or something. Well, congratulations again!

Thanks for having me.

Red Charity Gala through the years