RJ Santos’ collection celebrates, or rather, pokes fun at the drama of being human.
In a time when society is caught in the grip of political and economic issues, constantly clicking and resharing “hugot lines” about life on social media, Randolf Clothing’s “Heaurt” collection is a breath of fresh air.
The Filipino label helmed by RJ Santos brought humor, heart, and originality to the runway of Manila Fashion Week on Sunday. Its show was an electrifying finale to the four-day style fest held at the SM Aura Premier in Taguig City from Oct. 16 to 19, 2025.
It was unique, bold, vibrant, and unapologetically poked fun at the chaos of human obsession. His playful yet meticulously designed pieces reflected the brand’s signature mix of wit and cultural commentary, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of Manila Fashion Week.
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Santos has always imagined his clothes as relatable scenarios perked up with humor and nostalgia. For his “Heaurt” collection, which plays on the words “heart” and “hurt,” the designer tackles how one’s obsession can start as dangerous before turning into love and, in this case, whimsy.
“I really wanted to explore the feeling of obsession, where one thinks that it’s love when it’s not. I think everyone has experienced that in one way or another—wherein you’re obsessed with something, then eventually you realize it’s not good for you anymore, you lose yourself in the process,” he said in an interview with The POST after the show. “At the same time, I wanted to interpret it in a positive note. After obsessing over something, you eventually find your self-worth and have the courage to build yourself up again.”
In true Randolf fashion, Santos crafted every part of the 36-piece collection with a strong sense of exploration, freedom, and passion. This echoed in last Sunday’s show, which began with the sound of a beating heart before models entered the runway through a monumental broken heart. They paraded Santos’ poetic pieces soundtracked by songs about love, longing, and loss.
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Every part of the collection is wearable art. They glistened in Randolf’s signature fresh designs, eccentric shapes, quirky patterns, and clever embroidery. It was evident from the get-go, with the opening look that is perhaps a shout-out to all the plantitos and plantitas out there. It featured a green tulle bralette made to resemble a mound of grass and paired with a pencil skirt printed with garden-inspired pattern.
This was followed by a mishmash of unexpected pieces—a signature of Santos’ label. Sheer shirts were etched with numbers resembling a lottery ticket, while some were stamped with the word “void,” the feeling one gets after a heartbreak. White monochromatic pieces were livened up with splashes of red roses or crimson hearts. Loose trousers and oversized polos were meanwhile reinvented with patchworks in vibrant colors, or sometimes with black monochromatic patterns.
Santos brought more depth, texture, and definitely attitude to the collection with the use of fabrics, ranging from denim and tulle to silk and piña fabric. “For this collection, I wanted to showcase the techniques used by my team and I throughout the years,” he added. This includes intricate embroidery seen in jackets and gowns, as well as complex layering techniques that echoed throughout the collection.
Of course, Santos made sure to revisit his signature modern Barong for his Manila Fashion Week show. This time, the designer bedecked his iconic piece with ruffles and fringe fabric. Gowns, meanwhile, came with voluminous skirts and striking embellishments, proving that Santos is indeed the master of show-stoppers.
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The last two looks made for a breathtaking finale in Randolf’s show that was nothing short of spectacular. The first of the two featured a cobalt-blue grown mimicking Pia Wurtzbach’s iconic Michael Cinco gown when she was crowned Miss Universe 2015. Santos Randolf-ied it by attaching the gown’s tail with a sash embroidered with “miss u :(.”
“Since the theme of this collection is obsession, I poked fun at how someone can be obsessed with getting the Miss Universe title and eventually losing herself in the process,” she told The POST about the gown’s concept. “At the same time, it is also because of this that we had a Miss Universe. She made a queen out of herself.”
Meanwhile, the final look was a white gown with a sheer bodice and silk skirt bedecked with red tulle hearts. Famous content creator Mimiyuuuh modeled the avant-garde piece, which Santos described as a “bridal look” inspired by Mariah Carey’s “The Celebration of Mimi” concert in Manila last October 14.
With all these, Santos once again proved his mastery of playful charm and whimsy clothing that celebrates, or rather, pokes fun at both the art and drama of being human. A glorious finale for this year’s Manila Fashion Week indeed.
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