Photographed by Renzo Navarro, courtesy of ALEXIE x RÔ
Ahead of Alexie and Rô’s first collaboration, Vogue speaks with footwear designers Alexie Nethercott and Mara Garcia on the inner workings of their four-piece collection.
Play a round of spot the difference between Filipino footwear labels Alexie and Rô, and the game would be over in an instant.
Although both are manufactured in the country’s shoe capital, it doesn’t take a discerning eye to deduce that they are ostensibly on opposite ends of the fictitious shoe spectrum. Alexie’s cheeky pairs stand out for their embellishments: beads and sequins form full pouts or lazy eyes, while monotone fringes and bows adorn already-vibrant-colored bases. In comparison, Rô’s second skin styles are closer to the ground, soles affixed with barely-there heels meant to give everyday motions a subtle lift. Their textures and hues lean tonal, their shapes border anatomical. Where Alexie communicates verve, Rô conveys practicality.
The improbability of a collaboration wasn’t lost on Alexie’s Alexie Nethercott and Rô’s Mara Garcia, founders and principal designers of their respective brands. How could Alexie’s Royale loafer pumps, for instance, possibly dialogue with Rô’s Glove flat? Would one’s clients even be attracted to the other’s designs?
Such questions were the genesis of their first joint capsule, releasing this June 26 at the Formed pop-up. “We simply wanted to have fun and experiment, to see what would happen if we brought our two different design perspectives together in one shoe collection,” says Alexie. “It was really just a creative play, discovering how our ideas could meet in the middle while still feeling true to both of us.”
The launch at Formed only felt natural given that the duo’s first joint project revolves around form: shapes and colors, the very elements that lend a shoe its character. “It felt like the right moment to share the collection and show how our different design languages could come together in one space,” Mara says. They were particular about encouraging a sense of experimentation through their wares, to reflect the prevailing idea that underscored their process. For both designers, this was an opportunity to move beyond the confines of how they would usually design on their own.
Alexie expounds, “I think what made it work is that, despite our different aesthetics, we share a similar appreciation for thoughtful construction and unique silhouettes. Those shared values became our common ground, and that’s where the harmony came from. It feels more like two design languages having an honest conversation.”
Their four-piece collection is composed of flat mule sandals with mismatched round and square toe beds; the same asymmetrical mules accented with a custom sculpted wooden heel; and ballet flats peppered with phantom polka dots, offered in black and white. While the uppers are in black, white, or beige, they are offset by searing red, green, and pink linings that peek through.
Of course, each of these details were completely intentional. Together with the sapateros at Casa Alexie (her in-house workshop where the shoes were produced), they spent periods of time refining silhouettes, down to the curves of the heels.
“I think we met in the middle through the details,” posits Mara of their final products, which are all crafted from premium sheep leather sourced around Marikina. “We started with the clean silhouettes and neutral tones that I usually work with, then added Alexie’s signature cut-out details, and pops of color. Those additions brought another layer of depth and intricacy to the designs while still preserving their sense of simplicity.”
Both designers felt aligned as early as the conceptualization stage. Though we spoke to them separately, both ended up describing the experience as “smooth,” with discussions feeling more like normal conversations instead of formal meetings. In the middle of sharing references and exchanging ideas, Alexie says she would sometimes start sketching on the spot, “drawing out the ideas we were mixing together” just as they were forming. Perhaps she was inspired by her co-designer: “One of the things I really appreciated about working with Mara was seeing how instinctively she approaches design,” Alexie observes. “She has a way of exploring cuts and silhouettes that feels very intuitive, and it encouraged me to look at form from a different perspective. She has this ability to balance simplicity while still making everything look effortlessly cool, a quality I really respect.”
Conversely, Mara expresses appreciation for Alexie’s attentiveness and rigor. “One thing I really appreciated about working with Alexie is how detail-oriented and meticulous she is,” muses Mara. “She takes her time with the process and is very intentional about making sure every design is thoughtfully developed and well-executed. I’ve always admired the level of craftsmanship she puts into every piece.”
As much value there is in the pair’s collaboration though, Alexie is particular about emphasizing how they didn’t, and couldn’t have, done this on their own. Following design dialogues and countless revisions with Mara, Alexie developed the shoe patterns, and worked with her team at Casa Alexie to bring their shared visions to life.
“From my sapateros and sample maker to sewers, finishers, and even our heel maker, every pair is the result of many hands, patience, and craftsmanship coming together,” she intimates. “While this is a collaboration between Mara and me, I also made sure it became a collaboration with my team. Every new idea and every challenge was something we figured out together. They embraced the unfamiliar with so much dedication and skill, and I’m deeply grateful that they trusted the process alongside me. These shoes carry not only our creative vision but also the heart, patience, and hard work of everyone who helped bring them to life.”
The Alexie x Rô collaboration will be available at the Formed pop-up from June 26-28, 2026, at Xception, Legazpi Village, Makati City.
