(SPOT.ph) As with many fruitful relationships, this one started with a conversation. National Book Store Purchasing Director Xandra Ramos-Padilla brought up the idea of a collaboration with designer Rajo Laurel nearly a year ago, and the Rajo + National Book Store product line was born.
Through the collaboration, says Ramos-Padilla, Laurel takes "basic everyday items and [elevates] them to the level of design." He took inspiration from his 2013 gala show: metallic materials and squiggle designs feature prominently on his line of pens, journals, gadget cases, and even mugs.
Pens (squiggle and red, P269)
iPhone cases (gold, P599; squiggle, P549; silver, P599)
Laurel, who has trained at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology and London's Central Saint Martin's, received the Asian Top Fashion Designer of the Year Award in 2010 and was a permanent judge through three seasons of Project Runway Philippines.
iPad case (P349); Journal (P219)
Rajo + National Book Store will be available at select National Book Store branches starting October 18