Randolf

On grief, transition, humor, and finding beauty in the in-between.

Some of life's most profound moments happen in spaces we don't always know how to name. The pause between what was and what comes next. The uncertainty before a new chapter begins. The quiet space where grief and hope can exist at the same time.

For RANDOLF, that space became the starting point for The Waiting Room, the collection presented at Manila Fashion Week 2026.

The collection was born from a deeply personal experience. RANDOLF's grandfather passed away just four days before the birth of their niece, bringing two seemingly opposite moments, an ending and a beginning, into the same chapter of life.

Every collection begins with a story. What personal experience, emotion, or cultural reference became the starting point for the collection you're presenting at Manila Fashion Week? 

• This collection, The Waiting Room, was inspired by something deeply personal. My grandfather passed away just four days before my niece was born, and it made me think about that space between an ending and a beginning. I imagined a waiting room that exists somewhere between the real and the unreal, where memories, hope, and uncertainty all coexist. From there, the collection became a way to explore that in between space while staying true to RANDOLF's language.

Your work contributes to the evolving narrative of Filipino fashion. How do you define your creative identity today, and how has it transformed since you first started designing? 

• I've always been interested in telling stories through clothing, and just having fun with it by injecting some humor. In the beginning, RANDOLF was heavily influenced by pop culture, music, and humor. Over the years, the work has become more personal. While those influences are still there, I've become more comfortable drawing from my own experiences and using clothing to tell more intimate stories.

Fashion is more than clothing—it's a reflection of culture, community, and individuality. What conversation or feeling do you hope your collection sparks once it leaves the runway? 

• More than anything, I hope people leave thinking about the stories they carry with them. We all experience moments of waiting, uncertainty, loss, or change, but we rarely stop to reflect on them. If the collection encourages people to see beauty in those transitions, or simply reminds them that every ending can also become the beginning of something else, then I feel it has done its job.

Can you share a moment from the creation process that challenged or surprised you? Whether it was a material, silhouette, collaboration, or unexpected breakthrough, we'd love to hear the story behind it. 

• My love for repeat pattern has resurfaced in this collection lol

Looking beyond this season, what do you hope your work contributes to the future of Philippine fashion, and what legacy do you want your brand to leave for the next generation of creatives?

• I just want people to feel good in our clothes. At the end of the day, that's always been the goal. As for legacy, it's honestly not something I think about too much. I believe that's for the people who genuinely connect with your work to decide, not for me to define. I just want RANDOLF to keep creating pieces that hopefully inspire people, make them happy, and encourage them to express themselves in their own way.