Randy Ortiz marks 30 years in the fashion biz with a 75-piece collection that reaffirms his ability to effortlessly distill trends and tap into the zeitgeist.
By Alex Y. Vergara
After Rajo Laurel marked his 25th year with a gala show last October, it was Randy Ortiz’s turn to show his range, as the veteran designer showcased 75 looks, including a number of men’s ensembles, during a recent gala show at the Peninsula Manila’s Conservatory to celebrate his 30 years in fashion.
Acknowledged as one of the most commercially successful designers in the Philippines today, Randy is also known for dressing up some of the country’s hottest and most visible celebrities and top models. Thus, it came as no surprise when actor John Estrada and singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid, despite the latter’s rather short stature, shared the limelight with professional models.
In lieu of Richard Gomez and perennial muse and good friend Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Randy prevailed on the couple’s daughter, Juliana Gomez, to also model for him. In a bid perhaps to appeal to a younger clientele, he also tapped the children of seasoned models Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez and Marina Benipayo to model his clothes.
Indeed, it is Randy’s talent to distill trends and make them his own as well as his uncanny ability to tap into the zeitgeist, which has taken the designer far. His huge collection, including several noteworthy men’s wear ensembles, was no exception, as it showcased his signature style of combining disparate textures, materials, influences and even colors in one look, while still producing clothes that exude luxury, timelessness and sophistication.
“I’d have to say that my (late) mom has always been my constant inspiration for every collection,” Randy shares with PeopleAsia. “For this show, my clients, whom I have been friends with, have definitely influenced the way I envisioned each piece.”
Although far from “traditional,” the “Randy O woman,” he continues, is partial to classic and timeless pieces. She wants to look fashionable (who doesn’t?), but at the same time doesn’t want to draw too much attention to herself. The “Randy O man,” on the other hand, is willing to experiment with fashion without being “too flashy and edgy.”
“The materials I used as base fabric for both my men and women’s collections were mostly tulle, organdy, tropical wool and brocades. I also used some linen and velvet,” he says.
Again, Randy, true to form, went to town by relying on both his experience and instincts in colorization, fabric and texture manipulation, impeccable tailoring and judicious embellishments. His treatment for this collection also included, in most part, successful attempts to reinterpret and update classic silhouettes into their modern-day versions.
“I did a bit embroidery and subtle beadwork,” he says. “My play on color, I believe, also did a lot to make the entire collection fresh. Layering of fabrics involved texture on texture and embroidery on embroidery.”
As far as significance goes, the ageless Randy, who collaborated anew with fashion show director and good friend Jackie Aquino, considers the milestone event “a celebration and a tribute to everyone who believes and continues to believe in me. It’s a blessing to be able to last this long in such a very competitive industry,” he says.
And what’s in store for Randy in the next 30 years?
“Hopefully, I can continue to make remarkable pieces for my clients, but not necessarily mount another big show in the near future. I also wish to do more studies and research on fabric manipulation and embellishment as well as explore business opportunities on-line or through pop-ups,” the artist and businessman shares.
