As Steven Passaro's influence expands into Asia, with the Philippines emerging as a key market for custom commissions, he speaks with L'Officiel Philippines about origins, authorship, healing, and the quiet authority of dressing with intention.

PORTRAIT Max VM
CAMPAIGN IMAGES Fred Eldar Gasimov
It was a Sunday afternoon in Saint-Germain-des-Pr&eacute;s, the kind where Paris feels cinematic. The streets were animated, terraces full, the air humming with conversation and clinking&nbsp;porcelain. Inside Steven Passaro&rsquo;s atelier, however, there was a different rhythm: focused, deliberate, intimate. Bolts of fabric stood like quiet sentinels against white walls. Tailored jackets hung with architectural precision. Patterned pieces in progress rested on a central table, suspended between idea and form. 
<div class="page" title="Page 36">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
I&rsquo;ve known Steven for almost a decade. I have witnessed his evolution from a young designer navigating Paris&rsquo;s intensity to the couturier he is becoming today. What has remained constant is not noise, but discipline. Not spectacle, but intention.&nbsp;
In a moment when menswear is rediscovering intimacy, precision, and emotional gravity, Steven Passaro stands apart not by volume, but by control. His work resists excess in favor of tension, proposing a masculine language that is both protected and exposed. After my interview with Steven, my respect for him grew even deeper. I didn&rsquo;t just meet a designer, I met a true visionary, someone who pours his heart into every garment he creates. In this industry, you meet many passionate people, but Steven reminded me that for some, fashion isn&rsquo;t just business, it&rsquo;s a living expression of who they are. His work isn&rsquo;t about trends; it&rsquo;s about making clothing a personal, meaningful part of life.
</div>
</div>
</div>

<div class="column">
Before Steven Passaro became a well-known brand on the runway and gained international fame, how did it all start for you?
My journey started with studying architecture in Paris, after a year in applied arts. I excelled in various fields like communication, architecture, set design, and fashion. Initially, I chose architecture because it seemed safer, but I quickly shifted to visual merchandising. I realized that while architecture takes years to build, fashion can come together in a week, and I found the &ldquo;architecture of the body&rdquo; more compelling. I then moved to London to attend the London College of Fashion, where I completed a graduate diploma and earned an MA in Fashion Design Technology with a focus on menswear. That marked the beginning of my fashion career. 
</div>
<div class="column">
When you started your label, menswear seemed divided between traditional styles and streetwear. What did you think was lacking?
When I started my label, menswear was split between traditional styles and streetwear. Traditional menswear often felt outdated and too classic for my taste, while streetwear relied heavily on jersey fabric and was overpriced. I believe people are increasingly aware that items like t-shirts can be produced for about 12 euros but sold for 600 euros, making them feel scammed by the industry. I wanted to create a balance, a romantic approach to menswear that expresses vulnerability and emotions, which contrasts with how men are typically raised. As someone who is hypersensitive, I aim to translate emotions into my designs. My new collections reflect a duality: showcasing feelings while also providing protection. The pieces combine structured cuts that convey strength with soft fabrics for comfort, creating a unique balance in the market. 
Your collections focus on subtlety instead of showiness. In a fast-paced industry, why prioritize careful crafting over quick trends?
For me, it&rsquo;s about going back to the heart of being a designer. Before we called them designers, there were couturiers, people like Azzedine Alaïa who made and sewed the clothes themselves,&nbsp;shaping them perfectly to the body. I don&rsquo;t want to just follow trends. Trends are quick, and many brands that chase them&nbsp;fade fast. Building something strong from the foundation takes time, and that&rsquo;s the hard way, but it&rsquo;s worth it. Tailoring, for me, is about control. You first learn the rules, and once you master them, you can start breaking them. That&rsquo;s where the magic happens. Now, I can play with techniques, materials, and fabric effects in a way that feels intentional. It&rsquo;s a journey, and it keeps evolving as I grow. 
<div class="page" title="Page 37">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
There is renewed enthusiasm for men dressing with intention. How do you define that phrase?
I believe it reflects a shift in how people approach fashion. We&rsquo;ve seen numerous streetwear brands emerge, but many consumers felt that the products didn&rsquo;t justify their prices and felt scammed. Now, there&rsquo;s a growing desire for individuals to explore and identify their own styles. People are looking for more personalized expressions rather than simply following trends all the time. This shift seems to be influenced by the current state of the world, including economic and political factors, which can feel regressive in some areas while we continue to make advancements in technology. It creates a strange dichotomy. Ultimately, returning to a more mindful approach to what we wear and what we choose to support feels more human. It can be viewed as a form of soft rebellion, encouraging people to be thoughtful in their choices. Choosing one well-made piece instead of ten impulsive purchases is a quiet statement. It&rsquo;s a softer rebellion but a powerful one.&nbsp;
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

<div class="column">
Is this shift a response to fast fashion, or is it driven by deeper psychological factors?
I see it as a mix. Even some big luxury brands feel like fast&nbsp;fashion to me; they&rsquo;re everywhere, and that makes them lose value. Slowing down is about remembering the human beings behind fashion and putting people at the center. The new generation isn&rsquo;t interested in giving their lives to big corporations. They&rsquo;d rather invest in one piece they truly love, something that lasts for years and fits their style, rather than chasing what&rsquo;s trending everywhere. 
</div>
<div class="column">
Social media accelerates this: if a piece is seen everywhere, it loses appeal fast. Trends move quickly, so it&rsquo;s important to curate and choose carefully. 
Your work combines strength and vulnerability. How do you express masculinity without sticking to strict rules?
My work blends strength and vulnerability while expressing masculinity outside of strict rules. I grew up in a rigid environment that shaped traditional ideals of masculinity, which never resonated with me and caused conflict in my family.&nbsp;During my time in London, I explored what masculinity means to me, considering concepts of strength, structure, femininity,&nbsp;and spirituality through the lens of yin and yang. I appreciate&nbsp;the balance between strength and vulnerability in my creations. This tension results in beautiful designs. My garments feature a combination of structured elements and fluidity, with some fabrics leaning towards the feminine side. 
How conscious are you of your relationship with the male body? 
Very conscious. For me, I tend to project myself into the clothes&nbsp;I design because I understand my own body and how the volume interacts when we work with the models. My background in architecture really informs my approach; I have a mind that can visualize concepts in 3-D. This enables me to translate my ideas into pattern cutting using the 3-D technology we utilize, such as Style 3-D. Additionally, I aim to create pieces that can be worn by female bodies as well. By adjusting certain darts, I can add more volume to the chest area, allowing a woman to wear the garment without it appearing too feminine. I enjoy exploring the interplay between masculine and feminine design elements, merging both ideas in my work. 
Your collections seem to prioritize narrative over seasonal trends. How important is storytelling to you?
My collections emphasize storytelling rather than seasonal trends. Those familiar with my brand know that I evolve each season, building on what works and refining it. I started from scratch without industry connections, learning through experience, and gradually forming a supportive team. Each collection is a&nbsp;new chapter in a consistent narrative. I aim to create a cohesive universe over time, rather than separate, trendy stories. For example, our new labels connect back to earlier themes like the Gros Gras, which reflects a feminine and artistic style. 
<div class="page" title="Page 38">
<div class="layoutArea">
<div class="column">
This latest collection is about surrendering to something greater and embracing life&rsquo;s challenges. Ten years ago, I faced significant health issues, including anxiety and depression, and now I see this collection as a fresh start. It embodies the belief that there&rsquo;s always light after dark, taking everything I&rsquo;ve learned and transforming it into something more vibrant and creative. My journey of healing is closely tied to my creativity, making art helped me through difficult times.
As extravagant expressions of luxury become less relevant, is subtlety emerging as the new standard of authority?
The market is changing. Many stores are struggling, and during my recent trip to the U.S., buyers mentioned that they are moving away from streetwear because it&rsquo;s not selling. They are now seeking well-made, timeless pieces with a modern twist. Elegance is making a comeback. This feels like the perfect moment for my brand. We prioritize strong craftsmanship at an accessible luxury price. Clients are also becoming tired of big fashion houses, which can be too expensive, repetitive, and often driven more&nbsp;by marketing than by quality. What people appreciate about my work is the attention to detail, the high quality, and the human connection. They feel involved in the brand&rsquo;s growth. 
This collection is both romantic and modern&mdash;chic, free, and full of positive energy.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

<div class="column">
Asia is influencing the global luxury market. What insights have you gained from expanding into Asian markets?
Creatively, it&rsquo;s been very inspiring. In Asia, people are open to discovering new brands, and they appreciate French craftsmanship. They&rsquo;re not afraid of styles that feel more feminine or challenge traditional menswear. I was surprised by the strong demand, especially with so many big brands entering the market. But I simply design as I always have, trusting that honest work&nbsp;will connect. What stands out most is their love for creativity, craftsmanship, boldness, and the balance between masculine and feminine. That&rsquo;s why my work resonates there. 
</div>
<div class="column">
The Philippines is becoming an important market for&nbsp;custom commissions. What do you find most notable about Filipino men?
They have a very good taste in fashion and are quite precise in their choices. I believe what attracts them to the brand is its blend of Occidental influences with elements inspired by Asia. For example, some details, like the buttons, reflect how garments were made in the past, which I think also draws them in. Overall, their tastes are minimalist but exceptionally refined, reflecting a distinct cultural appreciation.&nbsp;
What excites you the most about the future of men&rsquo;s fashion? 
I&rsquo;m excited to see a shift away from streetwear toward a more stylish and refined wardrobe. Looking back to the late 20th century, people dressed more chicly. Nowadays, our outfits reflect our different lifestyles, but that level of elegance seems to have faded. During fashion week, we see people dressing nicely, but for the rest of the year, comfort often takes priority over style. I believe looking chic can also be comfortable and pleasant to see. I appreciate beautiful objects and well-dressed people because they enhance life. 
When you envision the man wearing Steven Passaro ten years from now, who do you see?
The terms that resonate most with me are &ldquo;cultural emotional intelligence&rdquo; and &ldquo;cultivated emotional intelligence.&rdquo; It&rsquo;s about understanding what clothes are, the fabrics they&rsquo;re made from, the design of those fabrics, and the intricate details involved. Over the past few years, the fashion industry has felt like a circus, focused more on spectacle than substance. What I appreciate now is the growing curiosity people have about clothing, the fit, the construction, and how each piece is made. There&rsquo;s a lot&nbsp;of engineering behind it, which people are starting to recognize. I envision wearers of Steven Passaro to be individuals who are cultured and possess references from art, music, literature, and cinema. That&rsquo;s the direction I&rsquo;m aiming for creating a brand&nbsp;that appeals to well-traveled, globally knowledgeable individuals.&nbsp;Yes, I hope the person who wears Steven Passaro is a bit more intellectual. 
The Steven Passaro man is intellectually engaged and sensitive. He is strong enough to be vulnerable and chooses to act with intention rather than follow fleeting trends.
</div>

The Discipline of Intention: Steven Passaro

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES PHILIPPINES MARCH 2026 - Andres Muhlach ₱600

L'OFFICIEL PHILIPPINES MARCH 2026 - Nadine Lustre ₱600 

The Discipline of Intention: Steven Passaro

Recommended posts for you

Fashion

The Discipline of Intention: Steven Passaro

Beauty

CELINE Just Created the Perfect 'Blurry Matte' Lip Balm

Fashion

BINI Has Conquered Coachella, Flaunting Filipino Fashion and Artistry at Its Finest

Beauty

A New Light: Marj Maroket

Culture

Dyson Shrinks Its Cooling Tech Into the HushJet Mini Cool

Culture

What Happened to the Filipino Action Star?

Beauty

SPF On: This Dream Summer House Is Pure Sun-Soaked Bliss

Fashion

From Cerulean Sweaters to Chanel Boots: Outfit Ideas to Watch 'The Devil Wears Prada 2'