Que, Valor!

CEBU, Philippines - Give him a dress from the ukay-ukay and he will start thinking on how he will reinvent it. At twenty years old, Axel Que is already an intern designer for Kenneth Cobonpue and a budding fashion designer. Last July 22, his hair piece design got featured in Vogue Italia. He has also done fashion shows at SM City Cebu, Vudu and UP Cookout 2011.

Ever since he was small, Axel already developed his love for designing. "My father is an architect, na permi sad ko makakita niya mag design og mga house (I've always seen him design houses)," he shared. He finished Certificate of Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines Cebu.

 Upon the advice of his parents and close friends, he decided to take up fashion seriously. He then enrolled at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines for formal training and to improve his work. He describes his designs as "more on being explorative and being innovative, trying to make change by getting one's idea out and experimenting."

 He shared that he finds inspiration for his designs from his family. "My family completes me of who I am today. Akong family kay supportive sad kaayo so usa jud sila sa naka inspire nako sa akong mga designs (My family has always been supportive of me and they are one of the things that inspire my designs)," he shares.

 Even in his free time, designing still occupies him. When he hangs out with his friends, they collaborate on creating costumes because he wants his time to be productive. He admits that he doesn't like wasting time.

Aside from discussing designs with his friends, his designs are greatly influenced by a lot of designers like the late Alexander Mcqueen, Christian Dior and Guo Pei.

With his perseverance and creativity, Axel Que is definitely a new designer to watch out for. (FREEMAN)