7. Ariel "JOJO" Trojano Lopez
Jojo teaches children's wear. A BS Communication (Economics) from UST and a Banker by profession. Jojo has participated in various events since finishing all the fashion courses at Fashion Institute of the Philippines in May, 2008.
In
2005 she opened Store for All Seasons with Cecile Zamora.
She
is popular for her bespoke hats and corsets, as well as her bespoke bridal
gowns
In
2002, Mich was a finalist for the Paris Young Designer’s Competition and 1st
runner up in the MEGA Young Designer’s Competition. In 2004 she was nominated
for Revolutionary Designer of the Year at the MTV Style Awards, and in 2007 she
won the Fashion Designer of the Year Award for Streetwear at the MEGA Fashion
Awards.
In
February 2010, Dulce won the prestigious International Young Creative
Entrepreneur (IYCE) award for Fashion at London Fashion Week.
Jasper
Garvida graduated from the prestigious Central St. Martins in 2004 with a BA
honours in fashion design womenswear. His graduate... collection Gala, Alice in
Wonderland was reviewed by Hillary Alexander, Fashion Editor of the Telegraph,
as a “dazzling debut” and he was selected by ID magazine as “one of the young
designers to watch out for”. The complete collection was bought out by Nicola
Formachetti, Editor of Dazed and Confused and was sold in Jingumae, Tokyo.
Jasper was appointed as Head Designer for Couture Label Michiko Koshino in
2004.
Launched
in 2008, after winning Project Catwalk, Jasper has swiftly established his
reputation as a unique luxury designer to be contended with.
The
Jasper Garvida label has appeared in Vogue Italia, Russian Vogue, ELLE, i-D,
Drapers and Grazia amongst a long list of media and the label has been seen on
Katy Perry, Elizabeth Hurley, Cheryl Cole, Sophie Ellis Bexter and Jaime
Winstone to name but a few. Previous collections have graced the red carpets of
high profile events such as the Oscars, the Golden Globes the Brit Awards and a
plethora of other highly visible global events.
10. Sassa Jimenez (born December 17, 1987) is
a fashion designer from The Philippines. Her designs have been described as
"frothy", "fun", "polished", "sleek",
"sexy", sometimes "too busy", and inspired by "women
of the '40s". She has had two fashion shows as part of the twice
yearly Philippine Fashion Week. Sassa
Jimenez was born in 1987. Her parents are Philippine advertising agents Abby and
Monet Jimenez. She is the niece of the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s
editor-in-chief, Letty Jimenez Magsanoc. She studied creative writing at
the Ateneo de Manila
University.
Later, she studied at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles,
California. She finished the course in a year and a half and graduated cum
laude. Sassa worked as an intern at "Miss Sixty" doing celebrity
styling and public relations. She has a design studio and atelier in Makati,
a suburb of Manila in the Philippines. Sassa
Jimenez had her first fashion show as part of Philippine Fashion Week in
November 2008. Philippine Fashion Week is a twice-yearly week-long event, first
begun in 1998, showcasing local design talent and which has been "hoping
to launch the distinct Filipino creativity to the rest of the world",
according to Style Manila, a fashion website. Sassa Jimenez premiered a
45-piece clothing collection. One fashion reporter described her collection as
"refreshing and feminine, with classic, clean lines and surprising twists.
Her long gowns evoke easy sophistication with a delicate balance of streamlined
hems and voluminous details." Another reporter wrote: "Very few
established designers would create such a frothy, excessive confection, but in
the occasionally bland local fashion industry, Sassa Jimenez is a breath of
fresh air." Audience reaction was positive: "Young patrons
filled the room and enthusiastically applauded nearly every complicated design
that made its way down the ramp." The reporter elaborated: "Most
of the designs were fun and frothy, with bright pops combined with dark
hues—bubblegum pink, aqua, mustard yellow, hot pink and plum mixed with black,
gray, bronze and ivory." Some designs were described as "too
busy" and others looked like they "could have been purchased off the
rack from local retail stores." One outfit was a "black-and-pink
dress the model wore featured a balloon skirt and puffed sleeves in a dubious
combination of wool and organza". Another fashion writer liked Sassa
Jimenez's Tulle skirt. Another writer described a Sassa Jimenez dress as
"a great Merry Christmas dress: perfect for drinking yourself silly and
having your picture taken getting kissed under the mistletoe."
A
business reporter in May 2009 asked her about strategy: "Why is Philippine
Fashion Week a better platform for you, rather than showing independently
without competing for attention from press and audience?" She replied
"I think it’s a very good opportunity to be part of Philippine Fashion
Week because you get to showcase your work alongside the country’s most
talented designers. The talent pool is so diverse and dynamic, and it’s an
honor to be part of that."
Jimenez's
second show was also part of Philippine Fashion Week beginning in late May
2009. It was held at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City, and showcased
the clothing styles of approximately twenty top Philippine designers, including
Sassa Jimenez. One fashion reporter describing the Sassa Jimenez holiday
collection, called Revelation, focused on her use of fabric:
"Every moment is reciprocated by the swishing of a skirt or a sudden gleam
of light from a satin surface" with an overall look that is
"polished, sleek, and sexy." Another fashion writer used similar
words to describe the Sassa Jimenez collection: "The words polished and sleek perfectly
describe this particular collection. Inspired by style icon Dita Von Teese and
the women of the Forties, Jimenez has created the classic-with-a-twist look with
her current pieces." A third fashion writer mentioned the decade of
the 1940s: "The parallelism between the celebrated burlesque performer’s
style and Sassa’s current pieces fit as perfectly as a form-flattering dress
would. Dita dresses up like a screen goddess from the 1940s but in updated
outfits that carry a fresh and modern feel. Sassa took this aesthetic and
translated it into polished pieces that are totally wearable in today’s fashion
clime."
Sassa
Jimenez remarked about her designs: "I wanted the pieces to be classic and
timeless and have staying power like the little black dress in a woman’s
wardrobe." About the design process, she said: "Design comes out
when I’m extremely happy. It’s an emotional thing rather than seeing something
that should inspire me. During the design process, I usually play around. Then
there’s a moment when I find something that could work then I’ll build on that.
It’s something random, which is what happens when you’re an artist and a
designer." She described her approach towards fashion: "Fashion isn’t
about using clothes to cover up who you really are; it’s about wearing
something that brings out your many dimensions, and being secure in all these
aspects of yourself. I hope that Revelation will encourage
women to make that switch in mentality." She said: "My vision is to
create pieces that have global relevance. I see myself designing outfits that
can be worn by anyone, no matter where they are in the world" and
said "I want Filipino women to be more daring, to try out something
different, and ultimately, to discover different dimensions of themselves
through various types of clothing." She describes her style as
"step-out fashion" and says "What you wear each day says
something about you, and so every day, you have a chance to truly stand out.
Filipino women have to know that." Philippine fashion reporter Tessa
Prieto-Valdes describes why she likes Sassa Jimenez's styles: "No one else
has the same kind of dress. Her creations have so much drama happening in front
and in the back. My look is photogenic from all angles." To a fashion
reporter, Sassa Jimenez replied her ambition was to "create a whole new
look for the women of Manila."
A
reporter commented: "Burlesque goddess Dita Von Teese was the inspiration
for Sassa’s holiday collection, with touches of wartime ’40s garb. Even the
details of the hair and makeup had that touch of the ’40s. This young lady has
quite a promising fashion design career ahead of her." Another fashion
writer described the show as follows: "Sassa’s silhouettes are still
classic and carefully structured to highlight the body, without constricting it
like today’s ubiquitous bandage dresses do. She kept the waist as a permanent
feature and played with the rest of the proportions. We saw ballerina-inspired
tutus, asymmetrical hems, full rosette skirts, and minis mixed with feathered
sleeves, ruffled necklines and sheer layers. She sent a gamut of gorgeous and
irresistible dresses down the runway that started with strong, sophisticated
black and red pieces, then capped off with softer, neutral and voluminous
ones."
Sassa
Jimenez attended "Designs Filipino," a preview of the retrospective
collection of Filipino Zone designers, in June 2009.
Sassa
Jimenez, in 2009, was only 22 years old. A fashion writer asked Sassa Jimenez
about where she'd see herself in ten years. She replied: "I would love to
find myself still in the fashion industry and still making beautiful clothes
for women. I'd be shipping my garments to different parts of the world and
jet-setting all around the world to do fashion shows. By then I would have
opened up my flagship store and a larger showroom and atelier in Manila where
women can buy my dresses, or have dresses made while being served tea and
cupcakes by a butler. I dare to dream."
11. Darius B. Gibbs (born January 7, 1967 in Alcantara, Romblon, Philippines and lives in New York/New Jersey, USA)
started his career in the fashion industry at a young age and fashion runs into his
DNA. His father Benito is a Master Tailor and his mother Amalia is a
dressmaker. He is the 4th among seven (7) siblings and he thought that living
together with family would hinder his growth in capturing his dreams. He then
decided to move to Manila. Working hard and did everything to
survive. He worked with several Garment Factories in Manila to strengthen his
experience and contacts in the industry. He became an International
Merchandiser for both local owned Garment companies, foreign own buying offices
and International Trading company in Manila. He decided to move forward so he
left the Philippines and moved to Hong Kong and then became a Territorial Director
for Lucrecia Apparel a subsidiary of a Japan based
company Fashion Force and Nissho Iwai. He left Lucrecia and moved back to Manila,
Philippines and started a computer company with offices in Singapore and Taiwan.
He then ventured with Music Lounge. Unfortunately none of those businesses went
well so he decided to leave and moved to Sri Lanka and works as Divisional Merchandise
Manager for Victoria's Secret and CACIQUE brassiere in 1995. He
left Victoria Secret and joined KOCH HIGHTEX an architectural and
membrane construction company who built buildings
without using gravels, sands and cement. He thought that working with KOCH
HIGHTEX was not interesting enough so he decided to leave Sri Lanka and move to
USA and met and now his wife Maria Araceli Z. Bernardo the eldest daughter of
Dr. Ignacio Bernardo and Dr. Elma Zapanta Bernardo of Charleston, West
Virginia. He joined his former boss at Victoria Secret and offered a job as
Director of Production and Sourcing for GUESS based
in Connecticut. He worked there for a year and
decided to move on to the Fashion District of the world which is New York. He
struggles in the beginning to find a job but with the help of some friends, he
was able to establish his local experience and later on spotted by DAVID'S BRIDAL who offered him a job as Senior
Production and Sourcing Manager in-charge for domestic and international
production and sourcing. In
2001 Darius B. Gibbs joined Jones New York Intimates (Madison Maidens) who contributed his
full knowledge of the fashion industry from Production/Sourcing, Merchandising,
Product Development, Retail & Marketing Strategy, Sales and Cost
Accounting. It was very challenging experience but it was overwhelming for him
to handle everything. He left Madison Maidens to continue his dream to become
a lawyer but
job offered came in right in the middle of the process of going back to school.
He accepted the job offer with Adrienne Landau Design a furrier company based in New York City. He thought it will be great working on very
high end company like Adrienne Landau and it would be a great advantage adding
them to his resume. For
Darius being furrier is not very challenging career considering that Fur
business is seasonal. He decided to join AKADEMIKS/PRPS and
he worked there for a couple of years as Senior Production/Sourcing Manager but
thought that challenges are not enough and growth was slow. He joined ICER
Brands who owns the license for Apple Bottoms, ECKO RED, Sean John Jr. and CAVI but left
the company after 2 1/2 years again due to a slow career growth. Darius B.
Gibbs left ICER BRANDS in January 2010 and decided to start his own company
called Fusion Apparel, LLC with main purpose of helping other importers and wholesalers with their production and sourcing
business. He
is the creator, designer and owner of FUSION APPPAREL, LLC www.fusionapparels.com who owns the brand DARK by DARIUS B.
GIBBS www.dariusbgibbs.com a Young Men's Contemporary lines and
LIGHT by DARIUS B. GIBBS for Women's and DARIUS GIBBS a premium collections. He
showcased his first collection at the first ever New Jersey Fashion Week last
October 2010. Darius B. Gibbs have done several fashion shows like "The
Red Circle" a non for profit event and all proceed went to Red Cross for
the benefit of Japan Earthquake and Tsunami victims. He loves to support any
charitable institutions and any event with a great cause. He
is also the founder of The Galindez Foundation a non-profit organization that
will basically help children and families that cannot afford to send their
children to school and have education. The foundation will focus on unfortunate
and street children that are ambitious and willing to pursue their studies.
Lhuillier
was born to Michel J. Lhuillier, a businessman of French descent, and Amparito
Llamas, a Filipino society figure and former model of Spanish descent.
As
a teenager, she was an outstanding student in Lausanne, Switzerland and dreamed
of becoming a successful fashion designer. She moved to Los Angeles to study
design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). It was
during this time that she met her future husband Tom Bugbee.
Monique
and Tom currently reside in Los Angeles with their two children.
While
searching for a gown for her wedding in 1995, Monique was surprised by the lack
of fashion-infused bridal options. Having had an affinity for evening gowns and
bridal while at FIDM, Monique launched her first bridal collection in 1996. The
collection received great acclaim from both editors and buyers alike. Tom
joined the company as CEO, to turn Monique’s vision to establish a couture
design house into reality.
At
present, the Monique Lhuillier collections encompass ready-to-wear, evening
gowns, bridal, bridesmaids, linens, tableware, fine paper and home fragrances.
In
2003, Monique Lhuillier was invited to be a member of the Council of Fashion
Designers of America.
In
2006, Monique Lhuillier received the Medal of Honor from the Philippine
president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
13. Jose "Pitoy" Moreno is the best-known Filipino fashion designer. Apart from being recognized as a National Artist of the Philippines for Fashion Design in 2009, Moreno
is internationally recognized as the "Fashion Czar of Asia".A former
student at theUniversity of the
Philippines,
where he joined the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity, Moreno is one of the
earliest advocates of the Maria Clara gown. Moreno was the president of the Philippine Couture Association, the very first association of
fashion designers in Manila, Philippines. Moreno was the costume designer for the
Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company. His fashion designs were exhibited at the
World’s Fair inSeattle, Washington and New York City in the United States. His fashion designs appeared on the pages of
fashion magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazar, Holiday, and Le Figaro, where Moreno introduced the words jusi, piña and lepanto to
world fashion. Prominent people who were adorned by Moreno's beadwork,
embroidery and hand-paintings included the First Ladies of the Philippines, Nancy Reagan, Pat Nixon, Betty Ford, Queen Sirikit of Thailand, Queen Margarretta of Bulgaria, Queen Sophia of
Greece, Princess Margaret of Britain, Princess Suga of
Japan, the Marquesa
de Villaverde, María
del Carmen Martínez-Bordiú y Franco, Cristina Ford (second wife of Henry Ford II), Margot Fonteyn, and Deeda
Blair (Catherine
"Deeda" Gerlach, wife of William McCormick
Blair, Jr.).
Moreno authored the books Kasalan, a fashion literature about Filipino wedding, and Philippine Costume, a book
on traditional Filipino dresses.
The Filipinos of
mixed descent (through various combinations of Malay, Chinese, and Spanish
intermarriage) have traditionally formed the country’s elite in business and
politics. That made us broaden our traditional culture into a more unique taste
that no one could ever explain. Until the westerners in the contemporary world
influenced the Philippines into a more intriguing way so as to clash with the
art we live by. No matter how our country became as dependent to other
countries in every predicament- politics, economy, and social – they never gave
up as a country; instead they used this as strength to stand out as a Third
World.
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