Holiday Gift Guide: Stanley Ruiz

Stanley Ruiz curates a collection of items that reflect his design sensibilities and personality.

‘Tis the season for giving. Vogue Philippines talks to tastemakers and style mavens about what sought-after pieces they’re eyeing this year. From Gibson guitars to espresso machines, Stanley Ruiz’s wishlist tells us all about himself.

Industrial designer Stanley Ruiz is no stranger to the art of curation and thoughtful design. His works are a staple at Manila FAME, the bi-annual trade fair of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM). The mind behind design consultancy Estudio Ruiz, his pieces are often exhibited in the likes of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, the Conrad, and Areté Ateneo. Internationally, he has also participated in design fairs in Singapore, New York, and several European countries.

The designer’s pieces often integrate Filipino elements, such as native plants like the Bakong, or locally woven textiles from Negros region, with industrial touches. In an interview, he describes his design process as similar to asking oneself, “what will I cook for dinner?” The answer is dependent on what quality ingredients are available at the local market.

The result; a “transcultural” object that both hints at the past while informing what the future could look like. His designs are often thought of as “tropical modern,” and make use of handmade crafts unique to certain locations.

Within creative spheres, Ruiz is known for wearing many hats. Beyond furniture design, he also works as a faculty member at the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts and as a partner at Tahanan Pottery, a ceramics shop and studio. Ruiz is also a musician by passion. Before design and arts, he was writing music and playing gigs.

It’s no wonder that for his holiday wishlist, his collection sums up the varied aspects of his passions. He chooses a book by his former graduate school professor, David Grubbs, his favorite design tool, a Paper Mate Sharpwriter pencil, and a Gibson guitar for that legendary sound.

To Ruiz, the holidays are a time for reconnecting, reevaluating, restoring, recharging, and recovering. These are things reflected in each item he’s chosen.