If you’ve spent some time on #fashiontok, chances are you’ve come across the TikTok video of a fashion student giving Heart Evangelista one of their creations: a capacious white leather tote, featuring a maximalist bow detail.
The viral clip, currently at 1.1 million views, was published by the designer himself: Twenty-year-old Reese Collins Latonio, a BS Clothing Technology junior at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
On Tuesday, March 19th, style icon Heart Evangelista and renowned couturier Michael Leyva delivered a talk to the fashion students of UP Diliman. At the event, Collins had the opportunity to approach the actress and personally hand her his masterpiece: The Bow Bag. “It’s so nice! I was just looking at that kanina!” Heart excitedly exclaimed as she received the intricately designed carryall. And sure enough, netizens were quick to flood the video’s comments section, asking Collins how they could purchase the bag for themselves.
When friends ask Collins how he manages to sew leather bags, the up-and-coming designer says he likes to playfully quip the line: “I'm just a boy with a dream and a portable sewing machine." That indeed he is, and so much more!
In this Preview exclusive, get to know more about Reese Collins Latonio’s personal story, and his meaningful encounter with global fashion icon Heart Evangelista.
Preview Exclusive: Reese Collins Latonio Talks About His Personal Journey and Interaction With Heart Evangelista
Hi Reese! We really loved the Bow Bags you made. Can you tell us what sparked your creativity for this piece, and could you walk us through the process of bringing it to life?
"I made the Bow Bag back in January out of some scrap leather I had from my accessories class' midterm project. So I decided to add a project to my to-do list that included that leather, because I thought it was too pretty to go to waste."
"As for the creative direction: I'm transmasculine, and have spent a lot of my life having to live in that in-between not knowing whether to give into femininity or transition into my masculinity. Leather jackets were my first foray into masculinity, and that feeling of gender euphoria is something I carry forever. To me, if something is in leather, it's gender-affirming enough for me to wear no matter how feminine the iconography is.
"Of course, my first customer is going to be me, so when I felt comfortable enough to merge this societal idea of bows being feminine with my personal view of leather being masculine, I put the idea into motion. Hence, the leatherette Bow Bag."
Heart Evangelista really seemed to love your bag. Could you share your experience of that moment?
"I was shaking the entire time. You can hear her in my video go, 'Don't be scared!' I even told her that I was indeed scared. I mean, who wouldn't be, right? You're showing such a big fashion mogul your work!
"I was so happy when she loved it. My professor took a photo of me and it looked like I was about to cry, because I really was. She was so genuine about it, she continued complimenting it and showing it off to the class, to the camera, and to her team. She even wanted to continue wearing it.
"I couldn't contain my joy, I was literally buzzing with excitement. How else are you supposed to react when someone like Heart Evangelista expresses a desire to wear your bag and show some love for it? In some photos of the event, you'll see that she's still wearing it even when I'm not there anymore!"
You’re a clothing technology student at UP Diliman. How did you get into fashion design?
"That I am! Well, I come from a science high school, which is super out of left field. But I guess having spent so many years learning about the factual and empirical side of the world, I craved something a little more artistic and expressive.
"I was about 15 when I decided on it, after realizing how integral fashion was to my self-actualization. I thought, if fashion could bring me this much happiness and self-worth, it could be the same for so many others. I could become that medium for other people to see that value as well."
How would you describe your design philosophy?
"I think my creative ethos relies on using fashion as a medium for narrative and storytelling. I have this tendency to gravitate towards creating collections or designs that have history and inspiration behind them.
"I also want to highlight my desire to remove gendered stereotypes from clothing. As I mentioned earlier, I am transmasculine, which is something that has shaped my worldview and the way I look at fashion. I try to build it into becoming this safe space for queer and trans individuals to play with both masculinity and femininity. I want my work to be more than just either masculine or feminine, I want it to just be. I want the Reese Collins Latonio client to be someone who values self-expression through fashion, and has managed to find their home, their safe space, in my work."
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? What are your biggest goals?
"Realistically, I would hope to get my master's degree at Central Saint Martins. That's one of my big, audacious goals in the next 10 years.
"But in general, I'd say my ultimate bucket list would be to visit all big four fashion weeks: New York, London, Paris, and Milan. I'd also like to become the go-to Filipino fashion designer when people think of theatrics and creative sartorial storytelling.
"I can't really think of anything else off the top of my head, but I don't want to confine myself to these current dreams. I want to just be able to seize every opportunity that comes my way. After all, that's what landed me this interview in the first place!"
"But maybe I'd like to become the first trans Filipino Designer at any of the international fashion weeks. That would be really cool."
Where and How to Buy the Bow Bags As Seen on Heart Evangelista
Collins' Bow Bags come in two sizes. The Midi bags is priced at P4000, while the Maxi size costs P4500. However, due to high demand, Collins has temporarily closed off pre-orders for the rest of the year. For more updates, follow Collins' business account on Instagram @byreesecollinslatonio.
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