Filipino designer Rajo Laurel is taking his label global. He relies on FedEx to move his delicate garments across continents. The move follows more than two decades of work that blends heritage and high couture.
Laurel studied at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology. He returned home to build a brand rooted in Filipino identity. For years, his pieces have appeared at weddings, state functions and cultural events. He says fashion is “memory, heritage, and storytelling.”
The designer says logistics are part of his creative process. “What I like about FedEx is that they allow me to be creative and they take care of everything that comes after,” Laurel explained. “I’ve never really had to worry about size or weight of the freight shipments. I’m more concentrated on the creative aspect.”
FedEx handles protective packaging, customs paperwork and international clearance. Laurel adds, “There’s an emotional thing when you send something that’s very special. In Filipino, we say ‘pinag‑iingatan natin.’ We use FedEx for these pieces because we know they will arrive on time and cared for at every step of the shipment journey.”
The designer stresses that his business sells more than clothing. “What we do here is we just don’t sell clothes. We sell memories. We share life highlights,” he said. “And these are all grounded with something tangible. It goes beyond clothes. It’s memories that we make.”
Laurel points to the Filipino diaspora as a built‑in market. “Wherever there’s a Filipino, there’s a tangible customer base,” he noted. “I bank on the diaspora of the Filipino. For those who want a connection back home, that’s the space where we operate. We provide that comfort of home.”
Clients now span ASEAN, the United States and Europe. The designer plans to grow further in the region, with FedEx as a key partner. He also sees future material innovation in abaca fiber, a nod to his great‑grandmother’s rope business.
In the summer, Laurel will launch a new line called “Playtime.” The collection draws on childlike innocence and creativity. His story shows that creative integrity and reliable logistics can together expand a local brand onto the world stage.
