No Gatekeeping, just Girlbossing
Richard
Papa,
Style Visionary
he/him
August 4, 2025
by Andie Abad Santos
In the world of Filipino fashion, few careers stretch as far and as steadily as Richard Papa’s. At 57, the designer-turned-educator has spent decades in an industry where trends expire faster than coffee cools, yet he remains rooted not by clinging to the past, but by embracing fashion’s only constant: change.
“The school offered structure and safety. The industry did not."
Papa’s fascination began in childhood, drawn to the energy of clothes that never seemed to sit still. After graduating from the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Fine Arts major in Advertising Arts, he bypassed the standard entry-level climb. Instead, he stepped directly into business ownership, opening his fashion boutique right after graduation. His portfolio was not a set of printed lookbooks but a living brand.
From there, his career became a map of diverse spaces in the local fashion landscape. He led design at C4 Couture, brought creative direction to Fila Sports, lent his expertise as an industry consultant for TESDA, and, since 2010, has shaped the next generation at SoFA Design Institute. His teaching spans design conceptualization, draping, patternmaking, and sewing. Students don’t just leave with technical skills; they leave with the mindset of a designer.
The shift from theory to reality was his wake-up call. The school offered structure and safety. The industry did not. Real work demanded quick adaptation and the willingness to learn all over again. Excellence, for him, comes from skill but also from flexibility, the ability to meet unexpected challenges head-on.
That same adaptability shaped his business sense. Starting, he reinvested earnings back into his ventures and kept expenses lean. Longevity, he believes, comes from building carefully and spending with purpose rather than chasing quick wins.
For young creatives, especially those still finding their voice, knowing your worth is not optional. Papa believes that the surest way to protect your value is to elevate your skill to a level that speaks for itself. When the work commands respect, the conversation is no longer about bargaining down your price but about meeting your standard.
Sustainability, for him, is not just an industry buzzword. It is a responsibility. He encourages the use of eco-friendly materials and processes and sees education as a powerful tool for change. For artists with limited means, sustainability also means using what is already available, collaborating with others, and seeking out competitions or scholarships to push the work forward.
“For younger artists who are underprivileged, it’s crucial to focus on maximizing their resources while nurturing their creativity and resilience.”
He has watched queer art expand its reach, pushing boundaries and refusing to be softened for comfort. His advice to queer creatives is to embrace identity fully and challenge the norms that would ask them to compromise it. The edge comes from authenticity and from the courage to stand apart.
If he could send a message back to his younger self, it would be simple: work with what you have and build from there. Creativity and resilience are as important as technical mastery, and resourcefulness will carry you through when opportunity feels scarce.
Richard Papa’s career is proof that fashion is not only about reinvention but also about endurance. It is about aligning passion with purpose, holding your values without apology, and adapting when the rules shift. For a new generation of queer and underprivileged creatives, his journey is more than an example. It is a reminder that survival in the industry is not just possible—it can be an art in itself.