Ruben Rua Collaborates With Rufel
Former Elite Model Look Finalist now model, agent and presenter Ruben Rua collaborated with Portuguese leather brand Rufel to co-design their first men’s line. The collection was launched in Ruben’s hometown Porto, at the Rufel show, where Ruben walked with a squad of Elite models he now looks after as agent. We caught up with him.
Tell us about Portugal Fashion Week!
It was special as always. Porto is my hometown and after 22 seasons coming back to walk with my own bag collection… it´s just beyond everything.
Did you enjoy walking in the show with your boys from Elite?
Oh yes, absolutely! It´s like a dream right? I think I got the best casting! (laughs) I am walking at fashion week, in my hometown, with my bags collection and with my boys from Elite! How cool? It was amazing... A really special and emotional moment!
What was the concept behind your collaboration with Rufel?
It was the first line for men by Rufel in 43 years, so it was a really big challenge for me, and for them. I tried to do a collection with my everyday routine in mind, but also for all men. Saying that, women can also use the bags. We did 18 different products in 5 different leathers. We are selling the bags in Portugal but also in more than 10 countries. It has been a really amazing journey… so good, in fact, that I am already working on next season!
Do you have any more exciting collaborations on the horizon?
Well, this year was very intense with the eyewear collection with Andre Opticas and the bags with Rufel. I really enjoy to do these collaborations and I believe that maybe one day I will advance in private label with my own brand. At this moment, there is a big chance to do a cool collaboration with Antony Morato as I am ambassador of the brand, but let´s talk about that in 2018!
According to what we hear, Porto is the place to be right now, for fashion and for fun. What do you love about your hometown and are you happy it’s having this moment?
Porto is a beautiful city with a very special energy. People are really nice, and I think more warm than in the south! You have the beach, amazing history and it’s a great place to have fun and relax. The food is delicious and it’s true is that is still cheap compared to mostly other European countries. For fashion, the most important brands in the world are planning to open their stores here. Downtown is getting more trendy and fresh every day, and people´s minds are expanding in the same direction. It´s one of the best places in the world, no doubt about it!
Before the WF, what advice do you have for Finalists of EML 2017?
Be yourself and give your best. It´s a life changing moment and you have one week to grab it. Everything counts… and your career starts now! One week for the rest of your life… Good luck - and see you in Milan!
