For the longest time, luxury in the Philippines meant looking outward, to Paris ateliers, Milanese leather houses, Swiss watchmakers, and the like. But a subtle shift from this has been happening the past few years. Filipino designers, it seems, are beginning to define luxury on their own terms. The Royal Atlas, a collaboration between architect Royal Pineda and Fino Leatherware, captures the changing times perfectly with a collection shaped by indigenous weaving traditions, architectural discipline, and the confidence of a design culture that takes ownership of what it is. Pineda, whose work weaves together modernism with vernacular Filipino influences, approached the project by beginning with the practical. “I always design things that are relatable to me, something that I can use every day,” Pineda says. “As an architect, I wanted something that I can use everyday—from the site to the office, the city to the airport and other destinations. Functionality..
