Pinoy designer stands out at El Paseo Fashion Week

PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA -- Fashion designer Oliver Tolentino received rave reviews at the recently concluded El Paseo Fashion Week in California where he was the featured as the Designer of the Week. The audience at the fashion show, considered the weekend retreat of the stars, gave Oliver a standing ovation for his colorful 69-piece collection made from indigenous materials in the Philippines like abaca, jusi, piña, raw silk cocoon, freshwater pearls, among others. The well-heeled fashionistas, which included one of America's top fashion designers, Trina Turk, cried "Bravo!" after seeing Oliver's designs. Many of the attendees also lined up to order dresses from Oliver after the show. Oliver recently dressed up "Glee's" Amber Riley for the Golden Globe Awards and Oscar nominee "Black Swan" cinematographer Matthew Libatique and Filipino "God of Love" Oscar-winning producer Gigi Dement for the Oscar Awards. Oliver has also dressed up Grammy winner Patti Austin, "One Tree Hill's" Sophia Bush, "Glee's" Jenna Ushkowitz, "CSI: Miami's" Eva La Rue, Grammy winner Macy Gray, Tony winner Lea Salonga, Kuh Ledesma, Arnel Pineda, and the former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos among others.

Sustainable eco fashion Oliver won the "Sustainable Eco Fashion 2010" award during the "Islands of the World Fashion Week" in Nassau, Bahamas last year. Born in Orani, Bataan, Oliver is a soft-spoken and humble person who is proud of his roots. "I would love to show everyone what the Philippines can do in terms of fashion and how intricate Filipino workmanship is. I'm proud to put the Filipino stamp in what I do," he said. His strategically-located Melrose shop, which just opened two years ago, is close to other designer shops such as Dolce & Gabbana, 3.1 Philip Lim, Armani/Casa, Maxfield, Costume National, Balenciaga, Jenni Kayne and John Varvatos. He is the first Philippine based fashion designer to open a boutique in the US. What makes Oliver's clothes stand out from other designers is his use of intricate beadwork, vibrant colors, feminine designs, versatility and flexibility of the outfits. He designs his pieces around his clients' needs whether they are getting married, attending a premiere, or performing onstage. Unlike other haute couture designers, Oliver also accepts made to order and made to measure gowns. "My clients actually talk to me and not to an assistant," he points out. "I also deliver my gowns ahead of time," he adds. Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon said, "I am so proud of Oliver and how he has utilized our Philippine materials." "This is truly a proud moment for us Filipinos," Aragon said. Anna Maria Perez de Tagle of "Camp Rock" and "Fame" also graced the event wearing a light blue dress created by Oliver. "I really enjoyed watching Oliver's fashion show and love all his dresses," said the actress-singer who was accompanied by her parents Artie and Evelyn (nee Enriquez) de Tagle. "My favorite is actually the wedding dress but I am still too young to wear it. I love all his clothes." Anna Maria also wore an Oliver Tolentino creation using the pineapple fabric when she sang during the Ronald Reagan 100th celebration in Simi Valley, California recently. Fashion and music During the El Paseo fashion show, aside from using Philippine fabrics, Oliver also showcased Filipino music. With the help of Boom Dayupay of "Kulay" band, they featured Filipino songs like Sylvia La Torre's "Galawgaw," Eartha Kitt's "Waray Waray" among others. "I really enjoyed listening to my grandmother (Sylvia La Torre) singing that song while the models were walking on the ramp," revealed Anna Maria. Oliver's muse Oliver's muse and signature model, Tutay Maristela, opened his El Paseo fashion show and every segment of the show. A Ford Supermodel, the 27-year-old Tutay won the audience and fashion critics with her unique dramatic poses on the ramp. "She has this distinct walk on the ramp that intimidates other models," Oliver said. "Some of them even asked, 'Do we need to do that?' But they usually watch her backstage and applaud her!" When we asked Oliver why he chose Tutay as his muse and signature model, Oliver said, "The first thing a designer looks for in a runway model is how she walks and how she fits in the clothes. It sounds simple enough, but there's more to it. Tutay is one of the best walkers I've seen." "I love her in particular because of the way she projects in my clothes. You notice them when she's in them and they fit her perfectly. She also can 'emote.' If I want the drama on the runway, which couture clothes often require, then I just tell her to emote and she shines," Oliver said. "I can't tell you how many people at the Downtown L.A. Fashion Week admiringly asked 'who was that model who opened your show?' Tutay in my purple gown became the iconic look of my fashion week show in all the fashion press write-ups," he said. "As a Filipino designer in the U.S., I purposely wanted a Filipina as my muse. Tutay was the obvious choice. She even impresses the other models when she walks in a show! I love Tutay also because she is very professional and easy to work with," he added. Philippine fashion Oliver said he intends to keep promoting Philippine fabrics and designs. "When someone asks me what my hopes are in 2011, I have to honestly say I've been so blessed already. But I guess it's to continue introducing and promoting our local fabric and Philippine fashion. I'm so proud of my roots and anyone who is in Los Angeles knows that I promote and even emphasize the fact that I'm a Filipino," he said. "I'm a Filipino fashion designer first and foremost! All my clothes are still made by kababayans and it always gives me pride that I still have my active shop in Makati so I'm firmly rooted in Philippine fashion," he said. "It's been such an honor to be the first Filipino designer ever to expand to the US. I take my role as promoting my country very seriously and with great pride," he added. – VVP, GMA News