Entrepreneur Rajo Laurel Builds a Fashion Empire in the Philippines (2024)

Rajo Laurel is a Manila-based fashion designer. As the first-born son of a prominent political family, Rajo was under enormous pressure to enter politics. Instead he pursued his dream of becoming a couturier. Laurel started his fashion line in 1993 with one seamstress. By 1995 Laurel’s couture business was making $11,000 annually in sales.

Since then it has expanded from couture to include retail and employee uniforms for casinos, resorts and hotels. The Rajo Laurel Group of Companies brought in $1.7 million in revenue in 2014. His clients include the country’s presidents, celebrities and movie stars.