Revisiting Roots: Rhuigi Villaseñor brings nostalgia and modernity to his RHUDE Fall/Winter 2023 collection

Rhuigi Villaseñor is a fashion designer with a unique perspective and a flair for the dramatic. He made a splash with his debut collection at Bally last September, showcasing a mix of sophistication and West Coast cool that had the fashion world talking. Now, with his latest collection for his own label, RHUDE Fall/Winter 2023, he has once again put his creative vision on full display.

For his latest show, entitled “Rhude Awakening: Fuel My Fire,” Villaseñor transformed the Hollywood Goya Studios into a gas station, a nod to his early days in LA in the early 2000s. As a native of the Philippines and an expatriate in the US from the age of 11, Villaseñor honed his craft in his family’s garage, creating clothing that he staged on social media. It was here that he first caught the attention of the fashion world, when rapper Kendrick Lamar ordered a T-shirt with a bandana print.

The latest collection from RHUDE was a celebration of the designer’s youth, drawing inspiration from fashion icons like Pharrell and Gwen Stefani in the early-aughts, hip-hop, and vintage shopping. The collection included a mix of leather outfits, including perfecto jackets and “traxedo” pants, as well as streetwear looks that combined leather jackets and vests with cargo pants.

Villaseñor’s love for the automotive world is evident in his partnership with Italian car company Lamborghini for this season. He created a series of ready-to-wear looks featuring the Rhude and Lamborghini logos, including workwear vests and oversized scarves. The varsity jacket was also a key piece in the collection, shown in various combinations, including a denim and light blue version and a pairing with lamé shorts.

The second half of the show showcased the designer’s relaxed, couture side, with pieces in beige and sand colors. Camel leather jackets with retro accents, long cashmere coats, shearling jackets paired with Formula 1 racing car pants, long leather jackets with python effects, cashmere suits with stripes, and long jackets and flowing shorts combinations were just some of the standout pieces.