Filipino actress Dolly de Leon has been our beaming pride and joy lately in the awards season circuit. In her latest red carpet moment at the 76th British Academy of Film and Television Awards or the BAFTAs, Dolly bannered Filipino talent as she wore a stunning sculpted look from Rajo Laurel and styled by LJ Perez.

Dolly is nominated for Best Support Actress at this year’s BAFTAs for her role in the critically acclaimed film Triangle of Sadness. She wowed on the red carpet last night in a head-turning look by Rajo Laurel they called Alon, which is Filipino for wave.

In this Metro.Style exclusive, we spoke to Rajo Laurel to know the story behind the look.

The Inspiration

There is harmony in Dolly’s dress on the red carpet and lo and behold, this was all because of the inspiration behind it which was the Philippine oceans and waves. “The dress is called Alon primarily because when I first met Dolly she said that she really loves the sea,” says Rajo. “The ocean is her most comforting space.” Rajo went on to perfectly capture this fluid essence in a dress that was made to leave impressions at the BAFTAs.

The Material

The dress was made from both abaca and silk with an original fabric crafted by a weaver from the Philippines. “It's an original material and we sculpted it across her bodice to achieve that wave sculptural pattern. That's why we called it the Alon,” says Rajo on the gentle shapes of the dress.

“Dolly is really inspiring and I really loved working with her,” ends Rajo while thanking the actress for including Filipino designers in her red carpet journey.

Photos from Rajo Laurel

Art by Raff Colmenar