Cee Lo picks Oliver Tolentino

BREAKING NEWS: Grammy-winning and fashion-forward artist Cee Lo Green has picked Hollywood-based Filipino fashion designer Oliver Tolentino to create outfits for his latest music video I Want You (from his latest album, The Lady Killer, which has sold almost 300,000 copies in the US).

According to a report received by Funfare Update, Oliver first met the video director at Oliver’s Melrose Avenue boutique. Then, Oliver was taken to the set of NBC TV’s The Voice to meet Cee Lo, who is a judge on the show together with Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine (Maroon 5 vocalist) and Blake Shelton. Backstage, Oliver told Cee Lo what designs he had in mind and Cee Lo gave his nod right away.

Oliver created two dramatic outfits for Cee Lo and all the dresses for model Ivey Mansel who plays the princess in the video. Cee Lo’s first outfit is a robin egg blue suit embellished with embroidery and Swarovski crystals. It features a “furry” overcoat made of Philippine raw silk cocoon. His second outfit is a bright red suit embellished with gold embroidery, beads and Swarovski crystals. It features a Liberace-inspired cape of peacock fabric and gold embroidery.

Oliver also designed the dress worn by model Ivey Mansel who plays the princess in the same video.

The video was shot on Easter weekend at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with Oliver on the set to ensure everything went smoothly. The video airing date hasn’t been announced yet.

Oliver has dressed many Hollywood celebrities, the most recent one being Glee star Amber Riley for the Golden Globe Awards.

Last month, Oliver received a standing ovation as “Designer of the Week” at Fashion Week El Paseo in Palm Springs before over 600 attendees. In May, he will represent the Philippines in Hong Kong with a gown made of recyclable materials. Also in May, director Aureaus Solito and the stars of Busong will wear clothes by Oliver. Busong is included in Cannes Filmfest’s Directors Fortnight.

Rave review for Fanny

Fanny Serrano has received a rave review for his performance in Tarima from Luis Pedron, the programmer for SoHo International Film Festival New York which recently gave the Filipino indie Ganap na Babae a Best Cinematography Award. STAR contributor Bibsy Carballo told Funfare Update that Pedron ”is a credible New Yorker, Princeton educated, producer, writer, director more interested in social consciousness and indie filmmaking.”

Here’s the review: 

How many times have we seen a performance of true artist? Baryshnikov when he floated across the stage as if carried by unknown electric currents. Renee Fleming as she makes the most perfect notes seem like it was but a simple breath of air. Then there are the artist that we, the world, have not had a chance to see. Such is the performance of Fanny Serrano. I had the incredible opportunity to witness one of the most powerful performances in cinema in a very long time. His every movement resonated with not only his character but the grace of his culture. Although I admit to not knowing much of Philippine culture, the courage and humbleness that he emits is a credit to the world of acting but also to the culture he reflects with great respect and love. Many will disagree since the movie is based on gay themes but the reality is courage to reach out to someone and show humanity for our fellow human being is something we have lost not only in art but in the world as a whole. His performance has become my gateway to find out more not only about this incredible artist but his country and culture as whole. Equal credit must also be given to the cinematographer whose choice made me feel as if I was in the Philippines. This was a movie that I would definitely recommend and hope that many others get to see Mr. Serrano giving a flawless and moving performance.

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Lunch break with Vice Jojo and showbiz friends

Somebody in the circle was celebrating a milestone so Vice President Jejomar ‘Jojo’ Binay recently hosted a lunch with showbiz friends at his office at the PNB Building that commands a sweeping view of the Manila Bay. As usual in similar get-togethers, the topic of the free-wheeling exchange covered everything, all ‘off the record.’ With Vice Jojo (seventh from left) are (from left) Ricky Lo, Danny Dolor, June Torrejon, Mother Lily, Ethel Ramos, Armida ‘Tita Midz’ Siguion-Reyna, Bibeth Orteza, MTRCB Chief Grace Poe-Lllamanzares, Marichu ‘Manay Ichu’ Maceda, Boots Plata, Dolor Guevarra, Erwin Maceda (member of Vice Jojo’s staff) and Emma Guevarra.

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