Rhett Eala, the country’s top trendsetter: ‘I want fashion to be easy and democratic’

Do you remember the time when we wore miniature Philippine maps on our shirts, close to our hearts? Almost every Filipino wore these shirts, feeling nationalist minus the stiff piña barong or terno sleeves. Balikbayans devoured them and brought them everywhere to their compatriots who were aching for vestiges of home in their lonely diaspora.

The designer behind this mini-map trend, which soon reached Greenhills tiangges and Baclaran markets, is Rhett Eala.

That’s the same Rhett Eala who made poncho tops fashionable after he was a bestselling RTW designer at Rustan’s. The one who put wide lace bands at the hem of tops and skirts in printed brocade. The one who, for years now, has made our patriotic dressing easier with the short terno tops easily opened in front or the back, in user-friendly fabrics. And now, his kimono-style tops with different prints and amusing Filipiniana appliques continue to give us stylish comfort and warmth.

Clearly, Rhett Eala is the country’s trend setter. Is he a fashion dictator? Yes and no. Whatever he designs, naturally sells. But to be a dictator? No, because he says his mantra is: “To keep learning from life and be humble.”

Rhett Eala is actually the sum total of his vision, his journey and his travails.

He led a cushy life, studying for seven years in Hong Kong. That was when I “met” him, because once, stranded by a plane delay in HKG, I stayed with my college schoolmate Impy Pilapil who would tell me stories about her beloved fellow artist-friend Baby Valencia-Eala (the daughter of legendary newsman Teodoro Valencia), her hubby and her children—including Rhett—who were then HKG residents.

“Those years were the time when the European brands were opening up to the east, and Japanese designers were coming into focus,” Rhett recalls.

Rhett was then sent by his supportive parents to study at Accademia Italiana in Florence. 

Life took a pause when, at age 12, Rhett lost an eye. “But I never saw my blindness as a handicap.”

Another battle he had to overcome was his open heart surgery in 2015, when he had a triple bypass.

But having undergone these never made Rhett feel like a PWD. His vision may not be 20/20 but he has a very clear image of what he wants to create. His heart is full of warmth and love for what he does and the people he designs for.

“I just want fashion to be easy and democratic. I’m really flattered that people look at my brand. That means I may be doing something right. My job is to make fashion look effortless and beautiful.”

For the 2025 edition of Red Charity Gala at the Peninsula Manila last Saturday, presented by Tessa Prieto, Kaye Tinga and Ben Chan with Piolo Pascual as the surprise guest model, Rhett reaped applause again.

What was his inspiration?

“It wasn’t one specific thing. It was about my history as a designer. About the movies that made a mark on me (like La Dolce Vita). And the designers that I idolized as a young boy (YSL and Halston). For local inspiration, artist Damian Domingo is always there.”

Were his fringes a modern reinvention of what Charles Worth and Madeleine Vionner did in the 1920s? Although fringes date back to 3000 BC when Sumerian civilization had fringes at the end of rough fabrics.

“The fringes are actually thread and it takes about 60 cones of thread to make one dress. It is an essential piece in my collection.”

What about his huge blossoms?

“I wanted to create something which gives volume and softness, too.”

What were Rhett’s thoughts as he bowed on the Red Gala runway?

“I wish my dad, mom, and brother were there too, to make the evening complete.”

At 61, Rhett’s not-so-simple joys include traveling, mainly for fabric sourcing, in Japan and Bangkok. “I’d like to go to Denmark someday.”

He has three joyful nephews—Joaquin, Martin and Lucas—left behind by his brother Dennis, who died of a heart attack in 2018.

“My sister-in-law (their mom) is a good provider…but I am the spoiler,” Rhett smiles.

Is there a chance his famous niece, tennis champ Alex Eala, who could be a tall and beautiful runway presence, would model for him? “She is with Nike,” is Rhett’s simple answer.

Rhett’s advice to young designers? “Stay humble and be grounded. Keep learning about your craft.”

Having accomplished volumes for Philippine fashion, is there any dream left for him to pursue?

“Wala na. Let the young generation shine.”

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Rhett Eala’s shops are in Rockwell’s Power Plant Mall, SM Aura, Greenbelt 5 and Spatio in Opus Mall.

Follow the author on Instagram and Facebook @milletmartinezmananquil. Email her at milletman88@gmail.com and mmmananquil@philstarmedia.com.