During the official opening of Benjamin Barker at Rustan’s, Rustan Commercial Corp. President Bienvenido “Donnie” Tantoco III recounted an unconventional encounter that led him to discover the perfect white shirt.
At a business conference, a Malaysian tycoon challenged Tantoco to spill wine on his pristine white shirt. Initially hesitant, Tantoco obliged, pouring wine on his acquaintance’s shirt.
To his surprise, the wine stains effortlessly vanished with a simple wipe, leaving the shirt looking freshly laundered. Intrigued by this revelation, Tantoco delved further into the shirt’s properties and realized he had stumbled upon perfection.
Tantoco shared this chance encounter during the launch of Benjamin Barker, a men’s suit brand at Rustan’s Makati, founded by Nelson Yap.
Yap, inspired by his father’s legacy in the suit business, identified gaps in the market concerning size and price, particularly in Asian-centric designs suitable for the region’s climate. Thus, Benjamin Barker was born, offering tailored suits crafted from breathable fabrics like linen and mixed cottons.
Yap’s dedication to catering to the Asian physique and lifestyle extends to the brand’s signature white shirts, which are treated with special chemicals at the yarn level to resist stains, UV light, and wrinkles. Despite their impeccable quality, Benjamin Barker maintains an accessible price range, ensuring that everyday individuals can express their style with sophistication.
Benjamin Barker’s design aesthetics revolves around embracing contrasts, blending tradition with innovation to create timeless yet contemporary pieces.
“Each garment embodies meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful tailoring, ensuring a perfect fit for the modern man’s diverse physique and style preferences,” Yap told Manila Standard Life in an interview.
In essence, Benjamin Barker epitomizes the harmonious coexistence of modernity and tradition, offering a collection that empowers individuals to express their unique identity through timeless elegance and effortless style.
“We want to make wearing suits cool again. We see people wearing suits paired with sneakers or even with baseball caps. So, we are trying to reimagine the traditional suits into something modern and now evolving into something futuristic. We’re trying to be more innovative,” he added.
When asked why it took so long to bring the brand to the Philippines, he explained that they were focused on opening stores in Singapore.
“We have 17 stores now in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Vietnam. But in the past few months since the soft opening of our store here at Rustans, it seems that there’s a demand for our products,” Yap stated.