Pinoy fashion designers shine abroad using indigenous fabrics!
• Oliver Tolentino
(via inquirer.net) BEVERLY HILLS —“I’m still awestruck. I feel like I’m in a dream,” Oliver Tolentino admitted after he and eight other designers were about to be introduced to the fashion and entertainment press as the finalists in the Oscars Designer Challenge 2010.
The Filipino designer said, “I, a province boy who grew up in little Orani, Bataan, am at the Academy headquarters before the international press for the presentation of my gown that might be worn on the stage of the Oscars? Someone should pinch me!” Oliver stood beside his gown entry, draped on a hanger, which is an ivory piña (pineapple fabric) and abaca fiber mermaid gown with freshwater pearl detail.
Reporters and photographers admired Oliver’s exquisite creation. We heard Oliver extol the beauty and quality of our piña and abaca fabrics to every journalist who interviewed him. TV star, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’s Carson Kressley (host of Oscar’s exclusive web series, ‘Behind the Dress’ which premieres March 3rd) couldn’t help but admire the black abaca blazer that Oliver wore (his own creation). “I want one!” said Carson.
The winning gown, to be determined by online voting, will be worn by one of the awards escorts onstage at the Academy Awards on March 7, while its designer and his guest will get to attend the prestigious show. [READ MORE…]
*Click the image above to vote for Oliver’s gown. One vote per person per day. Voting open until March 1st.
• Mich Dulce
(via philstar.com) LONDON – From a tropical country where few people wear hats, a Filipino fashion designer and milliner, actress and musician has won the British Council’s Young Fashion Entrepreneur (YFE) Award for 2010.
Mich Dulce bested 10 competitors from Bangladesh, India, Libya, Lithuania, Russia, Sri Lanka, Syria and Turkey to become the first Filipino to be honored with the prize.
Judges and the public raved not only about her designs, but about her use of indigenous materials, including sinamay and abaca, the latter a material the British associate with rope, said Leslie Stokes, chairman of the British Council Philippines, which sponsored the local search for the YFE.
Dulce’s fashion business, which started out on eccentric frocks and dresses, has now expanded to hats, headpieces, corsetry and bridal wear. Her unique style has been featured on “Young Asian Fashion Designers” published by Daab Publishing in Germany.
Along with her title, Mich gets a £5,000 grant for a collaborative project with the British Council. [READ MORE…]