The Other Escario
At only 25, he already won the Look of Style award in 2013, proving to everyone that he could also design and he deserve his position in the industry and not just because of his brother.
“It was hard proving people that I can design. It was hard to prove to the fashion industry and to other clients that I am as good as my brother. (It was hard) to prove that I can design and not only because I am (Jun Escario’s) brother.”
His brother greatly influenced Rei as he practically grew up with Jun’s work and fashion show.
“Ever since I was a kid, my brother Jun would always drag me to his fashion shows. My love for fashion began when I was still in grade school. When I always see my brother draping clothes in his fashion shows, he brings me to his shop so I would always see these beautiful dresses. And that made me love the idea of fashion.”
The desire to make beautiful clothes was what ultimately drove Rei to start designing. He believed that if his brother could make them, he could also make his own.
“Ever since I was young, it was my dream to become a designer and be like my brother. And to prove to myself that I can be as creative as my brother: to challenge myself. It’s what made me decide to become a designer.”
This young designerㅡalthough heavily influenced by his brotherㅡhas different style in designing. As Jun is more refined in his design, bringing out fluidity, softness and femininity, Rei, in his creation, likes to play with lines: making his designs geometric, more masculine and more bold but still maintaining the feminine touch.
“I don’t see him as a competition, I see him as an inspiration. Who else would I look up to but him?”
Rei never had a proper training in designing although he started sketching when he was still little in the supervision of his brother. Since then, he had been learning from his brother every opportunity he gets: he would assist Jun in his fashion shows and meeting with clients.
“I learned so much when I’m with him. Aside from his being very opinionated and critical: he gives so much critique with my dresses and I learned from it, even if it’s so annoying, I learned from him. All the time.”
Now at 29, he has a lot of plans to grow as his own person and an independent designer. He would want to expand his work place and produce ready-to-wear outfits.
He is still trying to figure out how to do this as he is used to making made-to-order dresses.
Currently, he is managing his brother’s shop here in Cebu at the same time, working for his own label.
Getting into the fashion industry is easy, especially if you are a sibling of a renowned fashion designer.
Meet Rei Antoni Escario: a young fashion designer who’s thriving at the same craft with his older brother and one of Cebu’s top designers, Jun Escario.
