Radio show tailor-made for top fashion designer

Noted fashion designer Frederick Peralta has a cool baritone which can give other local singers a run for his money. He frequents videoke joints and sing-along bars, taking the microphone without qualms, going centerstage and crooning his favorite pieces by Basil Valdez, Marco Sison, Ariel Rivera or even Michel Legrand.

While he loves singing, perhaps next to his chosen profession which is fashion designing, little does Frederick know he is capable of being heard on the airlanes, not as a singer, but as a radio host. So when an offer came for him to have his own radio program, Frederick took it as a challenge and gave his nod. It was his singing, anyway, which paved the way for his radio venture.

"An executive of Wave 89.1 heard me singing at Basilica in Malate and he asked me if I wanted to be heard on radio in my own program," Frederick shares. "It’s something new for me and it’s another venture I wanted to try . Besides, the program was tailor-made for me. That’s why I was receptive right away."

Frederick hosts Fashion Radio, a first-of-its kind concept which can be considered a breakthrough on the airlanes, with him as the first fashion designer to host his own radio show. The program is now on its second season on Wave 89.1, every Saturday at 6 p.m.

"Fashion is very visual, but we have managed to introduce it on radio," Frederick says. "When I heard the concept, I was immediately excited. This is not the usual thing that most designers do. I’m happy I’ve been given the chance."

Hosting, however, is nothing new to Frederick. In 1995, he did a short-lived fashion TV program, Moda Filipiniana, which aired on Channel 4. But having a radio program conceptualized mainly for him was something that really interested Frederick.

To date, he has interviewed personalities such as Kuh Ledesma, Melanie Marquez and Miriam Quiambao, Assunta de Rossi and Wilma Doesnt, all of whom he has made clothes for.

Frederick also takes pride in having featured fellow designers Randy Ortiz and Inno Sotto, who even talked about his personal regimen and preferences on clothes. Boy Abunda confessed to being a fashion victim and events specialist Tim Yap has also guested in the radio show.

Guests give their fashion philosophy or discuss how much they spend on their wardrobe, especially if he’s a celebrity, while some even pick their best-dressed list. Others discuss fashion at length and go beyond merely expressing the designs.

In future episodes of Fashion Radio, Frederick expresses his desire to interview more celebrities who will talk about style and fashion.

"I want to feature Tessa Prieto-Valdes," Frederick says. "She had a very eclectic approach to fashion. People only get to see her in her flamboyant costumes, but they don’t get to listen to her. I also want to do Lucy Torres because for me, she’s one of the best-dressed personalities in showbiz. And my fellow designer Joe Salazar, who can talk about the practical side of building a wardrobe, the do’s and don’ts of dressing up, fashion technique, color schemes and silhouettes.

"I also want to interview make up artists Juan Sarte and Patrick Rosas, dermatologist and liposuction expert Vicki Belo who is always very fashionable, international designer Josie Natori who can talk about her lingerie line, Imee Marcos who has a very distinct fashion style and even fashion writers like Thelma San Juan and Celine Lopez."

Frederick is pleased that his radio program has earned a following after only a few months on Wave 89.1. Listeners call or e-mail the station to ask for fashion tips or give suggestions like featuring men’s fashion.

The 39-year-old Frederick, who has been in the fashion business for over two decades now, insists that with Fashion Radio, he is not out to replace or unseat anyone.

"This is not for competition or to prove superiority," he explains. "I’m just sharing what I know and I’m glad there are people out there who take time out to listen."