Desigual x Christian Lacroix: A shared vision to be different

In the fashion universe where designers and fashion houses collaborate to create new solar systems of style, the 15-year partnership between Spanish brand Desigual and the inimitable French designer Christian Lacroix has produced a supernova. This powerful explosion of two fashion stars, similar in their orbit and trajectory, results in a Desigual x M. Christian Lacroix collection as colorful and vibrant as any galaxy in the night sky.

Desigual can be literally translated as “unequal” or “different,” but it may be more accurate to say “it’s not the same as everyone else.” That best defines a brand that was founded in 1984 by Thomas Meyer in Barcelona, beginning with his creation of an upcycled jacket that was revolutionary at the time. Since then, the brand has continued to turn out free-spirited and bohemian designs in vivid prints. This aesthetic, combined with its early sustainable practices and happy workplaces, has allowed Desigual to grow to 215 stores in 107 countries, with 2,300 employees.

When Christian Lacroix spotted a Desigual coat in Paris, he thought its creator was a member of his design team. “I fell in love with the brand because of this different way of producing clothes for all, whose inspirations, themes and roots are common to mine, in addition to our passion for colors, prints and patchwork, which I have always worked with,” says the designer who epitomized the look of the ‘80s. “Desigual, as I always say, is not as easy to create as it looks. It is a colloquial language, but a language one has to learn and practice.”

The fashion language that Desigual x M. Christian Lacroix speaks is now available at Rustan’s Makati. The spring/summer 2026 collection includes flowy dresses in different lengths and earthy patterns, handkerchief skirts with asymmetrical prints, one-sided draped sheath dresses, embroidered denim jackets with unusual back details, shirts and tees with oversized orchid prints, and pieces in printed tulle. The fabrics, including BCI cotton, organic cotton, Lenzing Lyocell, Tencel, acetate and recycled polyester, give the separates a fluid feel while also being sustainable. One glance through the racks and you will agree that the collection is indeed not the same as everyone else’s.

Desigual at Rustan’s Makati also carries the brand’s whimsical collaboration with Disney. There’s a range of bags, from denim and printed styles to quilted twill bags with fringes, as well as multipurpose pieces that can be worn as backpacks or messenger sling bags depending on how you adjust the straps. These uncommon yet stylish bags are another good reason to visit the brand.

Michael Huang, senior vice president for store expansion of Rustan Commercial Corporation, says, “We wanted to reintroduce Desigual to the Philippine market. Hopefully, everyone gets to see the new look, the new collection, and the new collaborations. We hope people will appreciate Desigual even more now. We think it’s something that adds to our mix here in Rustan’s, complementing all the different brands that we’re thinking of bringing and introducing to the department store.” He notes that the material used by Desigual is suitable for our weather, as Spain is also known for its hot seasons.