They’re young, they’re creative, they’re brave! Angela Alarcon, Rumples Estacio and Michael Lobendino are three diverse personalities drawn together by their love of fashion. With no significant business experience to justify their bold move, they impulsively decided to explore the unknown and put up a retail store in the up-and-coming shopping district at the Fort, Crescent Park West.
Angela Alarcon is a fashion marketing graduate from Lasalle College International-Manila who designs for her own line called Erstwhile. She also works for Metro magazine and occasionally styles for fashion events and publications.
Rumples Estacio is a fashion design graduate also from Lasalle College who was one of the finalists for the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines’ Fashion Design Competition in 2007. She is set to launch her own prêt-a-porter line early next year. Michael Lobendino has a degree in business management from De La Salle University. He is a young entrepreneur who plans to put up his own clothing line soon.
Armed with their good educational background and supportive parents to help them realize their dreams, the three launched Almost Famous a month ago with youthful zest and enthusiasm.
Almost Famous’ concept is to introduce underexposed foreign designers like Senada, Jira Gurgah and Disaya from Bangkok, Alex and Chloe from LA, and Lover from Australia.
From the Philippines, they chose collections from up-and -coming Filipino designers such as Czarina Villa, Puey Quinones, Louis Claparols, Charina Sarte and Mich Dulce. Less known designers (but just as noteworthy) Sloane, Crise De Nerfs, 12Twelve, BC Manila, Maisie, Sassa J. Crystalle, Cocotini, Sarita, and MAR share a rack in this chic 60-sqm. boutique.
Gionna Cabrera’s carved wooden bags, and stylish footwear from Shoescape and Maco Custodio have found a home in Almost Famous. Accessories from Holly and Kathang Kamay are enjoying huge success in this new boutique.
Although majority of the merchandise is for women, they’ve also handpicked menswear from Dapper, Rayguy, Navarro, and the handpainted sneakers of NJ.
“The idea is for couples to be able to shop together in our store. At Almost Famous, men can shop for themselves, too!”
I enjoyed my visit to Almost Famous. It was a “getting to know you” experience with these local designers. Not that I am an authority on these new names and their creations but they are indeed highly recommendable. There is no need to scour for imported beach r loungewear. Cocotini, Charina Sarte and Sarita are there to make you the most fashionable beach bums on planet earth.
Alarcon’s Erstwhile creations and BC Manila’s chic collection of day-to-night dresses are getting raves from young fashionistas. Louis Claparols’ elegant evening and casual wear of date are very saleable. I particularly got attracted to a black and white classic from Czarina Villa. Being an Audrey Hepburn fan, I was convinced to buy it when the sales attendant told me, “You look like Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
With those flattering words, my credit card flew out of my purse before anybody else could beat me to my purchase.
I also noticed that the footwear from ShoEscape, (inspired by owner Mai-Escape Ilagan’s consuming love of Christian Louboutin shoes) and Maco Custodio are impressively stylish and well-crafted.
Almost Famous focuses on lines that are destined to be the new cutting-edge classics of the times so it can position itself as the newest destination boutique on the block. It’s worth a visit — you’ll surely find something unique and unexpected.