British-Filipina is British Vogue's emerging designer

LONDON – Twenty-three year-old designer Cabrini Roy from Portsmouth, England is a featured designer on British Vogue.

She joins the list of emerging designers in the magazine's Designer Profile Campaign, a three-month campaign on British Vogue that pays tribute to up and coming designers.

Roy, who specializes in handcrafted luxury ready-to-wear clothes, said she was over the moon.

“It makes me feel really proud of myself because I’m achieving all my goals. I just feel overwhelmed. It doesn’t feel real to me,” said Roy.

The British-Pinay said her designs are for “chic, trendy and modern kind of women.”

“They (British Vogue) thought their readers would love the brand and what my brand stands for,” she said.

Roy was influenced by her mother, a nurse in the UK, to become a fashion designer. At age nine, she knew she wanted to create beautiful clothes and at age 13, she begged her parents to buy her her first sewing machine.

“I was inspired by my mum. She loves to dress up. Actually, because of her, I started designing,” she explained.

Roy’s designs speak of her roots. She makes pieces that show her Filipino and British culture, like the use of puffed sleeves and silhouettes.

During the London Fashion Week in September, she was also one of the featured designers in Fashions Finest. She showcased a six-piece collection, taking inspiration from her Filipino heritage in a modern Maria Clara-themed ensemble, with a combined twist of soft tailoring and feminine touch.

Her fashion design heroes are Alexander Wang and Alexander McQueen.

“My ultimate dream is to one day have my own studio and shop in London and my online shop also to take off,” said Roy.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai turns heads in Michael Cinco gown

MANILA – Former beauty queen and Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan effortlessly turned heads when she walked the red carpet of this year’s Cannes Film Festival wearing a Michael Cinco creation.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the Dubai-based Filipino designer said Rai Bachchan’s gown “was created to reflect the impalpable dream of a butterfly metamorphosis."

Fully covered with Swarovski crystals, the butterfly gown has a touch of blue and violet, accented by an exquisite three-meter train.

To complete her breathtaking look, the actress accessorized with a pair of beautiful earrings and a couple of rings.

This is not the first time Rai Bachchan wore a creation of Cinco to Cannes Film Festival. Last year, her Cinderella couture gown was likewise made by the Filipino designer.

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WATCH: Francis Libiran, partner exchange vows

MANILA – Top fashion designer Francis Libiran and businessman Christian Mark Jacobs were pronounced “husband and husband” during their “celebration of love” in Boracay last week, as captured in a video by Jason Magbanua.

Wearing matching blazers, Libiran and Jacobs were seen dancing and sharing a kiss in a ceremony attended by relatives and close friends, including celebrities such as Kaye Abad, Tim Yap and Robin Padilla.

The two also became emotional as they exchanged vows.

“The world may not always be for us, but my world will always be you,” said Jacobs.

Libiran, on the other hand, said: “You are my shield, my armor, my fortification, my defense. In you I find security, peace, hope and love.”

Jacobs, an American, ended his vows by speaking in Filipino: “Ikaw ang aking puso, ang aking mahal, at lagi kang akin lamang.”

Watch their video.

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LOOK: Michael Cinco's creations at Paris Fashion Week

MANILA – Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco used the humble banig or handwoven mat as inspiration for his newest collection which was featured at the Paris Fashion Week over the weekend.

Cinco is the first Filipino designer to showcase his creations at the Paris Fashion Week through the Asian Couture Federation.



Aside from the banig, Cinco also featured the popular Filipino weave pattern solihiya in his designs, as well as the familiar Barong Tagalog and terno.

One of the world’s most sought-after Filipino fashion designers, Cinco has designed dresses for both local celebrities and international stars.

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Owen Wilson spotted with Pinay designer: report

MANILA - Is Hollywood actor Owen Wilson dating a Filipina?

Wilson, best known for his roles in comedy films such as "Zoolander" and "Wedding Crashers," arrived in Manila last Friday.

"We're just visiting," he told ABS-CBN News when asked why he is here in the country.

But according to a report published in The Manila Times over the weekend, Wilson has been spotted watching a horse show at the Manila Polo Club with socialite and fashion designer Wendy Puyat.

"Owen is now at the [Manila] Polo Club with Wendy watching the horse show," said the report, which quoted society columnist Becky Garcia.

Puyat has been considered one of Manila's "It Girls" in the early 2000s, and was part of the controversial "Gucci Gang" exposed by blogger Brian Gorrell.

She was previously married to Anthony Hotung, son of Chinese retail taipan Eric Hotung.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Tory Burch engaged to CEO of LVMH

Now this is what you call a fashion power couple.

Designer Tory Burch welcomed 2016 with a bang as she announced her engagement to her boyfriend of one and a half years, Pierre-Yves Roussel.

Burch, known for her self-named fashion brand, posted a photo of herself and Roussel on her Instagram account with the caption: “We are tying the knot… #blessed #engaged #happynewyear.”



Roussel is the chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH Fashion Group, which owns luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Celine, Marc Jacobs and Givenchy.

Burch, 49, has been dating 50-year-old Roussel since the summer of 2014.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

From countryside to catwalk, Thai teen designer takes on prejudice

BANGKOK, Thailand - Skirts made from bamboo chicken cages and billowy dresses crafted from mosquito nets -- a Thai teen is elevating everyday items of rural life to the catwalk to challenge entrenched prejudice among the Bangkok elite.

Apichet Atilattana, a 16-year-old from Khon Kaen in Thailand's northeastern rice bowl region, launched his designs on Facebook.

But on Friday night his inventive, humourous, and somewhat bizarre concepts made their catwalk debut at a fashion show in Bangkok.

His materials -- bamboo rice steamers, banana leaves and hand-held fans -- are loaded with symbolism in a country divided between the wealth and power of Bangkok and a rural majority who provide the backbone of the economy.

"I want to show people in Bangkok that Isaan people can be creative," he told AFP, using the name for the poor but populous northeastern region.

"People in Bangkok should start thinking out of the box... They have this idea that people in Isaan are dirty, uneducated, but there are a lot who are successful."

Apichet's sleepy home town of Khon Kaen is a creative hub.

Cannes Palme d'Or winning (2010) director Apichatpong Weerasethakul also hails from the city.

It is also a focal point of opposition to the ruling junta.

The military seized power from the elected government in 2014, disenfranchising millions of Isaan people who voted for the toppled administration of Yingluck Shinawatra.

It was the second coup in less than a decade supported by a Bangkok elite who refuse to accept losing at the polls.

Politics has reinforced the sense of separation between the Bangkok elite and the people of Isaan who they stereotype as ill-educated, unrefined and easily led.

While Apichet, better known by his nickname Madeaw, is avowedly non-political, he hopes his fashion can in some way help bridge the social divide.

"I want to transform things seen as without value, useless things, into ones with value," he said.

"I had chicken cages at home. I noticed the hole, I put the cage on my body and it looked beautiful... I want to imply that you can't judge people by how they look."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Fil-Am wows L.A. Fashion week with Pina collection

Fil-Am Jenine Nerecina mixes classic fashion with modern styles with her 17-piece collection, all created with Pina fabric.

The Cainta-born designer tells us where she gets inspiration.

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Fil-Am designer debuts collection for 'fashonistos'

NEW YORK CITY – A Filipino-American wedding host-turned men's fashion designer presented his new collection in New York.

As a wedding host, Amable Yalong shows up to his events all glammed up with his own custom-made suits that caught the eye of many would-be grooms and groom’s men.

Yalong used all his creative juices to launch his latest Y2 men’s collection in the fashion capital of the world, New York.

"One time, I got discovered over social media --Instagram -- and then they said, 'Hey, we would like to have you host your own fashion show during fall-winter Fashion Week.' So, here we are," said Yalong.

Yalong’s collection caters to 'fashionistos' or style-conscious men with a taste for tuxedos, suits and casual wear.

"My inspiration, I like the idea of the 1930s where men used to get dressed even if they’re construction workers. We don’t have that anymore. So now with Y2 collection, I’d like to create a lifestyle more than just a trend," he said.

Yalong’s style has attracted fashionistos like former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Antonio Burress.

"I think he’s a brilliant mind, creator of things outside the box. This is for the clean, sleek. You know, if you want to be handsome and debonair, you need to come over here," Burress said.

Yalong said Y2′s oversized leather totes are literally the next big thing in men’s fashion.

Seattle-based twin Fil-Am models Scott and Sean Bautista showed off their Y2 collection.

"Quality, luxury, a lot of class. His flair, you know the design, is a lot different from others that you see traditionally," the twins said.

Currently, Yalong’s clients can only get his designs from his website. But he said it’s only a matter of time until he finds a store front to house his Y2 collection in North New Jersey.

Read more from Balitang America.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

What if Rajo Laurel made MJ's national costume?

MANILA -- As netizens and pageant watchers debate on whether Philippines’ bet Mary Jean Lastimosa’s chances of winning the Miss Universe contest were affected by her national costume and evening gown, fashion designer Rajo Laurel weighed in on the discussion.

Without mentioning Colombian designer Alfredo Barraza, Laurel posted on Instagram his vision for a national costume.

“What if I were to do our national costume for our candidate for the #MissUniverse? I would be inspired by our nations fiesta's like the Ati-Atihan I would take it from there & modernize it. Perhaps it would look something like this,” he wrote in the caption.




In an interview with fashion website Style Bible, Laurel said he feels bad about the statement of Binibining Pilipinas chairperson Stella Araneta on Filipino designers.

“We have some of the best designers in the world in our country and it is shameful that one has to go outside of the country to find another person to represent who we are as a nation. I think someone has to open their eyes and minds to what our very own can offer. Perhaps, all one needs is to be reintroduced and be reminded about how amazingly talented all our designers, craftsmen and artisans are,” Laurel told Style Bible.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Marc Jacobs to leave Louis Vuitton: report

PARIS -- Designer Marc Jacobs is to leave Louis Vuitton to concentrate on his own brand and a future stock exchange flotation, a report said on Wednesday.

The US designer and the chairman of Louis Vuitton parent company LVMH, Bernard Arnault, confirmed the end of his 16-year tenure at the French luxury brand to industry journal Women's Wear Daily.

The news coincided with Jacobs' Louis Vuitton show on the last day of Paris fashion week.

It follows contract negotiations between Jacobs, 50, whose contract had been due to expire at the end of the year, and Louis Vuitton and LVMH.

It is understood that the initial public offering, expected within the next three years, will require Jacobs to be fully focused on his own brand in order to ensure the highest possible valuation.

A successor has not been named but Louis Vuitton is understood to have held talks with former Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquiere about succeeding Jacobs as artistic director, sources told WWD earlier.

It credited Jacobs with transforming Louis Vuitton from a "stodgy luggage house to a global fashion presence."

Frenchman Ghesquiere parted company with Balenciaga in November 2012 following a 15-year tenure.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Christina Aguilera wears Michael Cinco creation

MANILA – American singer Christina Aguilera was seen wearing a Filipino creation for the fifth season premiere of “The Voice,” which will air in the United States in September.

Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco uploaded photos of Aguilera wearing his black long-sleeved dress with Swarovski crystals on Instagram on Monday.

The dress, according to Cinco, was part of his collection in last May’s Philippine Fashion Week, which was also attended by “Project Runway” judge Nina Garcia.

“CHRISTINA AGUILERA wears a couture dress from my Philippine Fashion Week collection… Love it love it love it,” the designer wrote as a caption for the second set of photos, which has garnered over 350 “likes” as of writing.

Aguilera is one of the judges of “The Voice,” which has Lea Salonga, Bamboo, Sarah Geronimo and apl.de.ap as its local counterparts.

Early this year, pop star Lady Gaga was seen wearing a Cinco-designed black gown with a mesh neckline and sleeves embellished with crystals and beads to a charity event organized by the Chicago Bulls basketball team.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinay designer a success at LA Fashion Week

LOS ANGELES - Filipino designer Pia Gladys Perey held her very first solo show at Los Angeles Fashion Week.

Her "luxury and romance"-themed fall/winter collection was a hit among LA's fashion fans.

“I’m very happy but at the same time, I always never forget what my grandfather and grandmother told me, 'never forget where you came from.' So I’m still the same,” said Perey.

The Manila-based designer says her collection is proudly made in the Philippines.

“Well, I think we're all talented but I'm very proud to say that my label is the first Filipino label to do a solo show for style fashion week.

She's also beginning to build an enviable Hollywood client list.

Angelina Jolie, Eva Longoria, Kim Kardashian and many others have worn Perey's creations.

Perey makes glamorous yet comfortable dresses, a plus for many stars who frequently attend red carpet events.

“It's so ultra-comfortable but I also I feel extra-everything, extra-special in this. I love this. I'm not paid to say that. I love it,” said Daphne Wayans, star of the ‘Hollywood Exes’.

Aside from Perey, other Filipino designers who participated in Los Angeles Fashion Week include dubai-based Michael Cinco and Karen Capili from Los Angeles.

source: abs-cbnnews.com