Vogue Profiles: Roko Arceo Finds Joy In the Simple, Beautiful Things

The designer behind Maligaya Clothing Co. had his creative eye trained to see things differently. Now he sees the world for its details, and all the mundane, beautiful things that make a life.

Hot on the heels of his Hong Kong Fashion Fest showcase, Roko Arceo is ready for more. This week, he is set to present his collection at the first edition of Fashion WeekFashion WeekA series of seasonal events where designers debut their latest collections, setting the tone for upcoming fashion trends and showcasing creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation across the global fashion industry.Go to Fashion Week Glossary Asia. The Filipino designer-stylist is the first to admit, though: “I’m a workaholic,” he tells Vogue Philippines, later explaining that the closer he is to any retail store, the wilder his inspirations run free. “I feel like my mind never really stops working.”

Arceo possesses the happy ability to find beauty and pick apart patterns in his waking life, a trait he says he honed in childhood afternoons spent window-shopping with his lola and, later, over a decade of meticulous styling work. Naturally, his creative world expanded to Maligaya Clothing Co., his fashion label that is rooted in fine craftsmanship, storytelling through intricate detail, and using sustainable materials.

“Fashion has always been about finding beauty in the unexpected,” he says. “I’m particularly drawn to materials that already have a history, whether they’re vintage textiles, discarded fabrics, or everyday objects that might otherwise be overlooked. Through Maligaya, we explore how these materials can be reimagined into contemporary pieces that feel nostalgic and new.”

The upcoming collection titled “Found Treasures” will explore things that are living and fragile, and the “contrast between beauty and deterioration.” “Beyond [its] visual inspiration, ‘Found Treasures’ is really about our relationship with nature and the things we choose to preserve,” Arceo says. “The collection serves as a reminder that some of the world’s most beautiful treasures aren’t necessarily things we can own, but things we have a responsibility to protect.”

Like he used to find inspiration in retail store window displays his attention has turned to the natural textures and marine life underwater for this collection, if only to urge his audience to find beauty in them too. He adds, “If the collection can open people’s eyes, even just a little, and encourage them to think more about what we stand to lose, then I think that’s already something meaningful.”

In the interview series Vogue Profiles, we speak with Filipino creatives and cultural voices about their taste, worldview, and inner life, and learn about what informs their creative choices. Below, Arceo shares the inner workings of his creativity.

Vogue Philippines: What’s capturing your attention these days?

Roko Arceo: To be honest, my attention is only on the upcoming show right now. I’m a workaholic, and I’m really focused on what I do, especially when I’m working on a collection.

Our production line is full, and we’ve been working 24/7 because I really want this collection to be perfect. I’m a perfectionist, and I’m very particular about the details, making sure that everything is up to my standards.

That’s one of the things Maligaya is known for, our attention to detail. For me, every little detail matters, and I want that to show in every piece we create.

What has shaped your creative eye the most?

My childhood memories have shaped my creative eye the most. I was brought up by my lola, and she was really my first exposure to fashion. She used to pick me up from school, and we would spend time at Glorietta, going to restaurants and shopping together. Those experiences really trained my eye to appreciate beautiful things from a young age.

Apart from that, I’ve also been a stylist for almost 15 years, and I think that experience has shaped the way I look at clothes. Being a stylist teaches you to see things differently. You understand not only how a garment should look in photographs, but also how it should look in real life, how it moves, and how it falls on a person’s body.

How would you describe your aesthetic, not just in your work, but in the way you live?

I’m a very simple person, and I find joy in the simplest things in life. I don’t like too much fuss. Even something as simple as sourcing materials, seeing them up close, and discovering interesting pieces brings me joy. I think that simplicity also reflects in Maligaya. Everything has to feel easy and comfortable. No matter how intricate a design may be, at the end of the day, it has to be easy to wear.

When do you feel most like yourself?

One is when I’m alone, usually in bed after a really long day, right before falling asleep. It’s when my mind is clear, there’s nothing else to worry about, and I can just be alone with my thoughts, thinking about what the next day might bring.

The other is when I’m with my staff. We’ve built a very honest and personal relationship over the years, so I feel completely comfortable being myself around them.

Is there a ritual or habit you return to whenever you need clarity or inspiration?

Traveling has always been my way of finding both clarity and inspiration, but in different ways. As a designer and stylist, I feel like my mind never really stops working. Whenever I’m surrounded by stores, clothes, or anything that inspires me, I’m constantly thinking of ideas.

When I need clarity, I travel to more remote places, usually the islands or somewhere by the beach, where there are no retail stores or distractions. It gives my mind a chance to slow down. But when I’m looking for inspiration, I love traveling overseas, especially to Japan, which has always been a great source of inspiration for me.

What are you saying through your work that words alone can’t express?

Quality. I think it’s something you can only truly understand when you experience it firsthand. When people wear a Maligaya piece, we want them to feel the quality that goes into making it, from the materials we source to the craftsmanship behind every detail. It’s not something we necessarily have to explain in words. We want the clothes to speak for themselves.

Has success changed the way you create or the way you define success itself?

I think being successful, or feeling that you’ve succeeded, is very subjective to one’s own definition of what success is.

Personally, I’m not really focused on succeeding. I think I’m more focused on growth. I work a lot because I want to see the growth of the business and how far Maligaya can go. For me, it’s really about continuing to grow and improve rather than reaching a certain definition of success.

What are you learning to let go of?

I’m learning to take things slow and to let go of control. I feel like there are a lot of good things happening in my life right now, but I haven’t really had the chance to relish all the recognition that Maligaya has been receiving, especially our experience at Hong Kong Fashion Fest.

Right after the show, I had to go back to Manila for a pop-up, styling jobs, and other projects. It was only a few weeks later that I realized I hadn’t really taken the time to enjoy the experience and let it all sink in.

I think when the brand is doing well, there’s this pressure to “strike while the iron is hot” to design more pieces, put out more work, and constantly think about what’s next. I love what I do, but I’m realizing that I also have to slow down and enjoy what’s happening in the present.

With Fashion Week Asia, I really want to make a conscious effort to take things slow after the show and appreciate the moment instead of immediately thinking about what’s next.

What kind of legacy do you hope your work leaves behind?

We hope that with this collection and the conversations we’re starting about sustainability, marine ecosystems, and global warming, people will take inspiration from our work and become more aware of these issues. If the collection can open people’s eyes, even just a little, and encourage them to think more about what we stand to lose, then I think that’s already something meaningful.