Perez, Francine

Perez, Francine
@louriceperez / @by.lourice

“Beneath the Rot” is a Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection that redefines beauty through the metaphor of fruit, with each piece representing the diverse forms of the human body. Inspired by the idea of “moldy fruit,” the collection challenges society’s tendency to neglect plus-size bodies, transforming what is deemed imperfect into something striking and alive. Rooted in the designer’s personal journey with body image and PCOS, it serves as a love letter to those who have ever felt unseen. Conceptually, it bridges decay and growth, using organic silhouettes, textured embelishments, and soft yet powerful tones to mirror resilience within vulnerability. Emotionally, Beneath the Rot speaks of reclamation, finding power in what has been overlooked and celebrating beauty that exists beyond the surface.

Francine Lourice Perez is a student from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde taking up a degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising. Growing up chubby and living with PCOS shaped her perspective on beauty and belonging, inspiring her to create LOURICE, a brand centered on inclusive womenswear. Her designs celebrate individuality and diversity through expressive, empowering pieces that highlight thoughtful tailoring and craftsmanship for all body types. Through her work, she transforms her personal journey into a statement of strength and self-acceptance, redefining what it means to be seen in fashion.

The execution of this collection was highly technical, as it involved translating the concept of moldy fruit—representing the societal neglect of plus-size bodies—into wearable designs that emphasize volume, vibrancy, and empowerment. Rather than portraying mold as decay, it was reinterpreted as an art form that celebrates transformation and diversity. To achieve this, I developed a custom embroidery technique and distorted fruit prints unique to the collection, which required extensive experimentation and refinement. These surface treatments became defining elements of the work and reflect both my technical growth and design identity.