Rod Malanao has spent the last three years with Luxclusif as a buyer specialising in second-hand designer luxury bags, the second life department of Farfetch. Luxclusif’s mission is to empower the growth and sustainability of the luxury fashion industry. The company is credited for its aid in reducing waste and encouraging mindful consumption.

On the other side of the scale, Rod is also a knitwear designer. This young visionary finds balance between the analytical and the intuitive, the structure and the emotion.

Rod Malanao’s knit study on expansion of form 2022-2023

Rod Malanao’s sketches for his eponymous knit wear line, 2021

How would you assess your work for Luxclusif?
In acquiring luxury brands, instinct and numbers go hand in hand. You need both to make the right call.

What do you love most about your work?
Seeing the sparkle in someone’s eyes when clients try on one of my pieces. That instant joy makes everything worth it.

Are you inspired by any visual artists lately?
Helen Frankenthaler is always on top of my mind, particularly Mountains and Sea, 1952. I’m also drawn to Hannah Wilke’s S.O.S.–Stratification Object series, 1974–82.

Mountains and Sea by Helen Frankenthaler

What’s your music playlist like?
A bit of a mess, honestly. It jumps across genres randomly. Spotify informed me that my listening age is that of a 65-year-old, if that says anything at all.

Is there a soundtrack you are listening to now?
Currently listening to Dian’s Moonbow Disco. We happened to catch the artist at SomSoc Gallery in Tokyo last December 2025, and we were lucky enough to have an autograph.

The artist Dian signing autographs at SomSoc Gallery in Tokyo

Is there a line from a book or a song that often plays in your mind?
“Wish that those who, like you, find the door a tad heavy won’t let it bother them, otherwise we’ll be left waiting around forever.”
— Syou Ishida, We’ll Prescribe You a Cat

Syou Ishida’s We’ll Prescribe You a Cat

Do you have a favourite restaurant from your recent travels?
A neighbourhood food joint on Wuding West Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai. Look for the brightly lit yellow signage.

Jing’an District in Shanghai

Are there any other fashion designers you admire?
I love Rei Kawakubo and have built a personal collection from the Comme des Garçons universe. I often say that I was raised on Vivienne Westwood and Jean Paul Gaultier, my childhood heroes.

The iconic Rei Kawakubo

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Perfect happiness is hard to quantify. Happiness is nuanced and layered. It could be a bowl of soup or a kiss on the cheek tomorrow.

Bee Urgello has long been part of the beauty and fashion industry as both a model and an influencer. “Fashion has always been a major influence in my life. It has molded me into who I am today,” Bee explains, reflecting on what anchors her in life. Currently, Bee is in a “transitional phase” and is planning to relocate to Australia, so her career is taking a brief sidestep. She is now spending time in Sydney, thinking about a new chapter in life with her partner.

Bee has also been an avid supporter of LGBTQ+ rights in the Philippines and has lobbied for equality in the past. She acknowledges that while there has been valid progress in the movement over the last decade, the process remains slow. This influencer mentioned that to help pass the SOGIE Equality Bill, the LGBTQIA+ community must unite, build alliances with lawmakers, civic sectors, and moderate religious voices, and counter misinformation with clear, culturally grounded Filipino messaging. She also stressed leading the movement with empathy, discipline, and strategic action to make the bill both politically viable and socially accepted.

Bee Urgello in a Cary Santiago silk chiffon gown

Are you inspired by any visual artists lately?

This may come as a surprise to some, but most of my close friends know me as a geek. I’ve been collecting comics and Japanese manga, not to mention anime like Sailor Moon. I also love watching cartoons like X-Men, Marvel, and DC.

On the other hand, I’m also inspired by fashion as an art form. Somehow, my geeky and fashionista sides have blended together and shaped my personal style.

The anime and manga industry forms an integral part of Japan’s prominent cultural exports.

What kind of bag do you use these days?

Lately, my necessities have been narrowed down, so I’ve started leaning toward smaller-scale bags. I prefer multi-purpose ones like the Chanel Classic Flap or the Chanel Wallet on Chain. Also, the Saint Laurent Envelope Chain Bag is at the top of my list.

St. Laurent envelope chain bag

Is there a piece of jewelry or timepiece that you cannot part with?

Years back, my parents made me choose between a men’s and women’s Rolex two-tone Datejust watch. I chose the men’s style because it felt more edgy and versatile. It’s very special to me because it’s a timeless brand, and the fact that my parents let me choose meant a lot to me as a trans person.

Rolex two-tone datejust watch

Which fashion designers do you wear?

My favorite is definitely Cary Santiago, along with two of my closest friends, Harvey Cenit and Rei Escario. For international brands, I’ve always loved the classic silhouettes of Chanel and Dior. There’s also an Australian brand called Zimmermann—the designs are elegant, feminine, and whimsical.

The Zimmerman brand has become Australia’s first billion-dollar label after an acquisition from Advent International.

How many hours of sleep do you require?

I usually sleep around 9–10 PM and wake up at 7 AM. Seven hours of sleep is good enough for me; otherwise, I feel groggy and lazy if I oversleep.

Is there a television series or film you’re currently glued to?

I’m a couch potato and don’t party much anymore, so I spend a lot of time at home watching television series and films. Lately, I’ve been following Palm Royale, House of the Dragon, Emily in Paris, and Stranger Things.

Emily in Paris 5 is now streaming on Netflix

What inspires you the most?

Beauty. Beautiful objects inspire me, as well as beautiful moments with family and friends.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Contentment—being at peace with where your life is at the moment.

What is your favorite travel destination?

I love New York. Nothing feels more “citified” than Manhattan. When I’m there, I feel like the world is my oyster. It’s an amazing melting pot of people and cultures.

Manhattan has been described as the cultural, financial, media and entertainment capital of the world.

Miko Sarmiento studied Fashion Communication and Styling at Istituto Marangoni in London. After that, he worked as a visual merchandiser at Rustan’s Manila and was later hired by designer Miranda Konstantinidou as a creative consultant in the Cebu office, where he was actively involved in styling photographic pictorials and visual displays. It was during this period that Miko’s love for prints was honed and developed. Currently, Miko has created a capsule collection of silk scarves featuring prints close to his heart and memory.

Tell us something about your new project.
It really came about because I wanted to show my love of illustration on a platform other than a screen. Once, a friend asked me to illustrate prints on pocket squares for her groomsmen—the idea took shape from there. I was always cautious about putting work out into the already super-saturated print space, but I finally mustered enough courage to do it and decided that size, texture, and movement were the perfect blend of fashion and illustration. The brand’s name is im.ok, and this capsule collection is called huna.huna #1.

This capsule collection is called huna.huna #1.

What is it that you love about this work?
I love that I get to use so many different types of media with the help of digital art. My prints start off as little sketches and collages on traditional media platforms, and then I port them over digitally, where they get refined with a multitude of brushes and textures that the digital space can offer. It’s a learning process each and every day.

The final product of an extensive creative process involving digital art.

Are you inspired by any visual artists lately?
A few that I currently love are Ronan Bouroullec, known more as a designer but someone I find very inspiring; Hikaru Shimoda, for her child-like and nostalgic portraits; and Kelly Beeman—her fashion illustrations are a constant pin on my mood board.

Ronan Bouroullec, considered master of contemporary design.

What kind of bag do you use these days?
I just got a vintage bicolor epi-leather Noé that has the perfect patina. It’s been my workhorse for the past couple of weeks. It’s amazing how well-made vintage bags hold up, considering it was manufactured in 1995.

Vintage Noe bag photographed on top of JEG Tower.

Are you glued to any television series or film?
I finished the anime series The Summer Hikaru Died—it’s the perfect nostalgic queer summer love story with a twist of darkness and horror.

Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Mokumokuren.

Do you have a piece of jewelry or a timepiece you cannot part with?
I have several hand-me-down bangles from my mom and loved ones that never leave my wrist, and a “Tank” watch that I got for my 21st birthday. It’s been with me through all my adventures, even at times when it probably shouldn’t have.

The “Tank” was designed by Louis Cartier in 1917 and soon became iconic.

What’s your soundtrack like?
On repeat lately have been a lot of new girl pop. Constants are No Na, Katseye, Chaeyoung, and Audrey Hobert. They’re perfect for a mid-morning pick-me-up all the way to an impromptu dance with friends past midnight.

NoNa is an Indonesian girl group formed with 88rising.

What is your favorite travel destination?
My favorite travel destination has got to be Japan. There’s so much to explore—be it the quaint neighborhoods or the hyper-modern cities, you’ll always find something new. My last trip was to Kanazawa; the highlights were the most delicious unagi and a beautifully preserved historical quarter that was less crowded than Kyoto but just as charming.

Traditional Kanazawa houses are often characterized by sliding doors and thatched roofing.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I don’t think I know what that is yet, but pretty close would be a night of great music and dancing at a beautiful home, surrounded by loved ones and my animals.