Non-inclusion of Filipinas in LA fashion show not about race, producer says

MANILA, Philippines — Fashion designer and executive producer behind the Los Angeles Fashion Week, Erik Rosete, on Thursday clarified that the non-inclusion of seven Filipinas in the fashion show had nothing to do with race, color or gender.

Rosete explained that singer Kiana Valenciano, former Miss Earth Jamie Herell and five other models, were only barred from joining the show because Jacob Meir, who invited the Filipinas, lied and stole money.

Meir is the founder of For the Star Fashion House which regularly hosts showcases for Filipino designers.

READ: Kiana Valenciano, Pinay models barred from walking in LA fashion show

“They brought 5'5 models I did not cast in the show, and they brought their own hair and makeup team which is against our contract. They owe us over $100,000 in past dues,” Rosete wrote in one of his comments.

“This had nothing to do with race, color or gender. This had to do with the fact that he (Meir) is a crook and a liar. He was collecting money from designers, sponsors and models on the side and trying to run a side business from our production, all while telling us he would pay us ‘one day,’” the designer said.

The designer and fashion week producer, issued the statement after drawing flaks for allegedly discriminating the seven Filipinas in his show slated Monday. It was supposed to feature the pieces of Filipino designers Rocky Gathercole and Resty Lagare.

Pageant enthusiast page The Pageanthology also demanded an apology from the organizers for the alleged discrimination.

No one walked out of the fashion show

Due to the incident, Mier, Gathercole and Lagare pulled out from the show, citing that they would not allow the show to go on without Filipino models.

Rosete, however, explained that he tried to pacify the situation and claimed that no one walked out as all models patiently waited.

He also said his team Art Heart Fashion, which he founded, was the one which decided to cancel Meir’s show. Rosete said he decided to cut the show because Meir “did not respect the production and was pocketing money on the side.”

Rosete said he felt horrible for the lovely young girls and apologized for the miscommunication.

“I apologize for any miscommunication, but I do not want to be treated unfairly,” Rosete, also a philanthropist, said.

“I did my best to salvage the situation, and Jacob pulled a nasty move and tried to tarnish what we have worked so hard to build but trying to publish false stories,” he added.

Rosete has nothing against Filipinos

The designer claimed that Art Hearts Fashion, described as the leading platform for designers and artists to showcase their collections in a contemporary fashion week setting, has a platform built on inclusion. He said the production was cited by Forbes, Yahoo and People Magazine for inclusion.

Rosete also cited that in 2015, Miss Universe 2012 1st Runner-up Janine Tugonon opened for his fashion show for clothing brand Mr. Triple X. He said Tugonon went on to become the first Filipino Victoria’s Secret model.

The designer also defended himself, saying he has nothing against Filipinos because designers Danny Nguyen, Kenneth Barlis and half of his team are also Filipinos.

Prior to Rosete’s statement, Kiana’s mother and manager Angeli Pangilinan Valenciano expressed disappointment over the incident. She said she was heartbroken for her daughter and the models who traveled thousands of miles only to be robbed of that “dream-come-true opportunity.”

“It was actually horrible. God bless the organizer nonetheless and I pray this never happens to his daughter, son, niece or nephew,” Angeli wrote.