5 Philippines Based Designers Making Waves in America
From the spreads of the world’s most respected publications to the runways of Fashion Weeks across the globe, Filipinos are dominating the Fashion industry in so many ways. Here are some of the many designers that you may have been hearing more about outside of the Philippines that have left a mark on the United States and beyond.
1. Veejay Floresca
Veejay is no stranger to the Philippine Fashion scene. She started out as a full-ride scholar in fashion design at College of Saint Benilde and launched a fruitful career that has impacted people from across the globe. In addition to studying in the Philippines, Veejay completed her education with a Masters in Fashion from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and some time studying bridal wear at Central Saint Martins in London. Veejay’s work has been seen on the spreads of internationally acclaimed publications like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar and has been admired on the stages of New York Fashion Week and Project Runway Philippines, where she earned a top 3 finish in the first ever edition of the show. Her gorgeous designs have been worn by Filipino-American model turned acclaimed speaker, Geena Rocero, country singer Carrie Underwood, and Emmy Nominated Actress, Rain Valdez, to name a few. Veejay has also had the pleasure of rocking her own designs, as a representative for the Philippines in the recently concluded Miss Trans Star International 2022 pageant.
Whether she is rocking the stage or advocating for sustainable fashion by recreating thrifted outfits and materials, Veejay gives her all in everything that she does. Follow her journey at @veejayfloresca.
2. Michael Cinco
There is no denying the fact that Michael Cinco is a powerhouse in the international fashion scene. With continuous shows in Milan, Dubai, Paris Couture and New York Fashion Weeks, it is safe to say that we are not the only ones admiring his work. Michael has collaborated with icons like Beyonce, Tyra Banks, Britney Spears, Naomi Campbell, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Chris Brown and Jennifer Lopez. While he spends majority of his time in Dubai, his work continuously makes its way across the globe to events like the 2017 Cannes Film Festival in France, where Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai made waves in a stunning Michael Cinco number. Another time, Sophia Vergara rocked his eye-catching design to the 2013 Golden Globes while Paloma Faith graced the steps of the Met Gala, that same year, in one of his dresses. Despite his long list of achievements, Michael is not one to brag. In fact, in a recent interview, he shared that aside from being sensitive to light, the signature shades that he wears give him confidence, as he is a naturally shy person.
It is safe to say that Michael has helped put Filipino talent on the map. His journey to get to where he is today inspires so many to follow their dreams, just as he did his. For more of his beautiful work, follow him at @michaelcinco5.
3. Francis Libiran
Francis Libiran is highly recognized for appearing on America’s Next Top Model not once but twice, in Cycles 18 and 22 respectively. His Hello Kitty Couture collection caught the eyes of viewers and spiced up the season in more ways than one. Aside from all of the top models he’s dressed, Francis has had the pleasure of working with some of Hollywood’s finest stars, including Filipino-American actor Darren Criss, who regularly wears Francis’ creations, J. Rey, Apl.de.Ap and Mena Massoud. Francis holds the Philippines in his heart in all that he does. This nationalism has poured into his work and can be seen countless times through the many beauty queens that he’s collaborated with and his work for the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games (SEA) games, where he designed the official parade uniform for Team Philippines.
The effort that Francis puts into his craft is a true testament to hard work paying off. Whether it is on the stages of international pageants, on the runways of LA Fashion Week, or in the spreads of the world’s most respected publications, you know that a Francis Libiran creation, of any kind, is one that is made with love and passion. Follow him to stay up to date with his beautiful work at @francislibiran8.
4. Christian Olarte
Watch out, world! New York-based Filipino-Panamanian, Christian Olarte is on the rise and started his career in fashion when he was only 15 years old. He has since made some pretty remarkable moves, one of which was designing a corset for Japanese singer-songwriter, Rina Sawayama in her “This Hell” music video. Having your work showcased in something as grand as a music video is no small feat, but to have work that you designed and created from scratch in less than 14 hours is incredible. Aside from this, you may have seen his designs on the runways of Panama Fashion Week, where he showcased his debut stunning collection at 17 years old. In the years that followed, he has built a portfolio working with stars like actress Lola Tung, model, ballet dancer and photographer Troy Untalan and international model Maddux Callaway.
Christian has proven that age really is just a number and that anything is possible if you work hard for it. Follow him along his journey at @christianolar.
5. Rian Fernandez
If you are a pageant fan from any country, you are bound to have come across at least one of Rian’s designs. In addition to dressing some of the most iconic beauty queens of the Philippines, he has also played a role in collaborating with queens of other countries in the Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Earth, Miss Grand International and national pageants. One of the most recent queens he has dressed is none other than Filipino-American, Miss Universe 2022, R'Bonney Nola Gabriel. Rian has worked with her since day one and all throughout her pageantry journey in the Miss Texas, Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants - all of which she won in his designs. Outside of the world of pageantry, Rian has had his work exhibited in Music Through Your Veins in London, England, seen at the APU Fashion Week in Japan and on the red carpet of the 2017 Grammy awards where he dressed former American Idol contestant Kriss Mincey.
Written By Nico Belasco
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