As the curtains pull back and the sunbeams touch the runway, the RHUDE Spring/Summer 2024 collection unveils a renewed path for Rhuigi Villaseñor, the Filipino-American designer at the center of swirling winds of controversy.
Despite an abrupt departure from Bally and a lawsuit involving alleged mishandling of funds, Villaseñor presents a picture of stoicism and looks ahead, his laser-focused gaze honed in on the future. Today, we are unpacking the complexity of this pivotal moment for Villaseñor and exploring how his latest collection whispers resilience, aspiration, and the audacious courage to dream.
With a calm aura that belies the stormy backdrop of his life, Villaseñor christened his latest collection “A Dream Within A Dream.” This moniker isn’t just an echo of an Edgar Allan Poe poem; it encapsulates Villaseñor’s lifelong aspirations and his recognition of having achieved his childhood dreams through his label, RHUDE. In the chaos, he found clarity; with challenges, he found conviction. His words encapsulate this realization, “I don’t even know what the American dream is anymore… I have what I wanted all along.”
Villaseñor’s spring show was not just a reset button, but also a leap of faith into uncharted territory. “It’s a time to calibrate and make sure that it’s focused in the right direction here on out,” he declared. With his aim set on expanding RHUDE into a lifestyle brand, Villaseñor presented a smorgasbord of offerings – footwear, accessories, swimwear, handbags, and a notable plunge into womenswear. The meticulous tailoring and a resort-friendly women’s capsule played a harmonious symphony of luxury with high-quality fabrics in an enticing palette of strawberry red, navy, cream, and sky blue. But amidst the luxurious spread, some couldn’t help but find traces of his predecessors’ essence, reminiscent of American luxury sportswear maestros like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.
Villaseñor hit his stride with subtler details – varsity stripes jazzing up tailored trousers and nautical prints bringing the RHUDE vibe to life. A standout was a leather-trimmed caftan that seamlessly married leisure with luxury. Surprisingly, the collection, which Villaseñor aims to be less logo driven, was bereft of prominent branding, a conscious shift from the logo-obsessed market norms. However, this foray into subtlety warrants caution, as he must retain the recognizable elements that made RHUDE a hit.
While the industry chatter and speculation seem incessant, Villaseñor displays an unshakeable faith, quoting Isaiah 57:17, “No weapons or evil formed against me shall prosper.” As he embarks on this new chapter of RHUDE, he stands strong amidst the waves, grounded in his aesthetic and propelled by his dreams, bravely charting a course for his brand in the fashion cosmos.
Click on this link to read this article in French version
