Filipino-American Rhuigi Villaseñor Is The New Creative Director Of Bally

It’s another win for Filipino talents as Filipino-American designer Rhuigi Villaseñor is named the new Creative Director of Bally. The Swiss luxury brand turns to the founder of LA-based streetwear brand Rhude to mark a new age for the storied fashion house.

As Creative Director, Rhuigi is to set the artistic direction for the seasons to come, starting with Spring/Summer 2023. It’s a big leap as the 171-year-old Bally hasn’t announce a Creative Director in 5 years. Before Rhuigi, it was Pablo Coppola who helmed the brand from 2014 to 2017.

Rhuigi is no stranger to the fashion game, tracing his roots as an immigrant coming from the Philippines. “I grew up having interest in all the things that I thought were luxurious because I'm coming from the perspective of an immigrant,” he told GQ last year about emigrating to the States from the Philippines in 2001.

The 29-year-old Rhuigi founded Rhude in 2015, an elevated streetwear brand favoured by the likes of Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar. The brand’s take on swagger by way of smart-slash-casual tailoring and street separates was his ticket to revamping a possible new path for a heritage brand like Bally.

“It’s my honor to announce that I will now be the new Creative Director of Bally Switzerland,” says Rhuigi on Instagram. “It’s the mark of a new era and vision for one of the oldest luxury fashion houses. I’m excited to tell my story and bring you all through this journey along with my team, family and loved ones. THIS IS FOR THE KIDS AND DREAMERS.”

This move just adds to blurring of the lines between luxury streetwear, and possibly more to come this year.

Art by Raff Colmenar