W@W Editor

Oliver Tolentino: secret designer no more!

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oliver-tolentino.jpg(excerpt from philstar.com) Everyone has a favorite fashion designer. Celebrities and famous personalities are always asked whose creations they are wearing. Some names are familiar while others are slowly getting recognition. One of them is Oliver Tolentino who recently did the country proud when he won in the Bali Fashion Week and was recognized in the United States for his work as a fashion designer.

In a recent interview with Tolentino in his shop in Makati, he opened up about his experiences in Bali, dressing up a former First Lady Imelda Marcos and having Marjorie Bach (fiancée of Joe Walsh of the legendary rock band The Eagles) wore his design during a red carpet event.

Bach also wore another of his creations to a party the following day. Tolentino said that many of her friends kept asking who made the suit and when she mentioned his name, they thought he was Italian, prompting Bach to say he was her “secret designer from the Philippines.”

With the recognition he’s getting and with Filipinos like Monique Lhuillier, Rafe Totengco, Josie Natori, Bea Valdes and Tina Ocampo recognized in the international fashion scene, what can he say about Filipino designers making it in the international scene?

“Filipinos are creative. I’ve been traveling around the world, been to fashion shows abroad. I’ve seen their creations and I can see Filipinos can compete in the international market,” he says.

“I hope that Filipinos will strive more or do anything to penetrate the market. And also I hope the country will support the designers because Filipinos are very creative, very genius when it comes to designing clothes, not only clothes but furniture. Also, I think Filipinos should recognize Filipino creativity.”

Finally for those who dream of making it to the international market, here is what the designer has to say: “Aim for your goal. Don’t surrender, don’t give up and keep updating yourself to fashion. Study hard and find your style. You should be different from the rest.” [READ MORE…]