26 design game-changers

There are people that make us and then there are those who make us see. Here are the fashion players who really created a difference.

1. Jojie Lloren. He made construction and tailoring matter again. His mentoring skills on Project Runway give many fashion hopefuls an appreciation for quality and not just relying on shock value. Teaching comes naturally for Jojie. He held classes on tailoring where even the most talented designers attended.

2. Dennis Lustico. He is the king of non-derivative fashion. His progressive designs are wearable and unique. This kind of alchemy is usually the most challenging task any designer faces, and which Dennis does effortlessly. He also uses a lot of natural and indigenous materials in a very modern way. His down-to-earth style is due to his strong attachment to his provincial roots and gentle personality. It’s amazing to think that Dennis used to be a nurse. He made it happen, indeed.

3. Rhett Eala. He is the king of branding and creating massive trends. From the Thai silk mania from his stint at Due, the ponchos that captivated Filipina women even inspiring copies in Divisoria to the archipelago shirts that spread Filipino pride all over the world. Like a cold, anything Rhett thinks of becomes contagious. The label Plains and Prints is now enjoying Rhett magic with its amazing Safari collection. Everything he touches turns into gold. Rhett is also an accomplished artist. He has exhibited his pieces in several galleries (his Rorschach paintings were a cult hit). He hails from an esteemed family of artists. Genius is in his DNA. However, the most impressive thing about Rhett is that despite his accomplishments he’s not a media whore and prefers to work in his own little world.

4. Hindy Tantoco. She added heart to the meaning of ready-to-wear. She never sold out to populist design demands. Instead, she pushed the envelope with her coveted pieces. She experimented with prints and texture. Her derring-do made her the sweetheart of the fashion world and inspired buyers to think outside the box. She is now an independent designer and the operator of an organic farm, which she built with her husband Gippy Tantoco.

5. Bench. They made Filipino fashion global. From its humble beginnings to the Neal Oshima ads to the massive star-studded billboards that envelop the country, the story of Bench shows how hard work and creative thinking can make anything possible. Bench and its other brands like Human and Dimensione have also made him a leader in the lifestyle trade.

6. Arnel Papa His rustic touch with gold allowed girls in pearls to experiment and be bold. Everything is handmade and they are all one of a kind. He has inspired women to peel themselves from the wall and shine with bold accessories.

7. Pauline Suaco-Juan. She is the game-changer in fashion journalism through her fashion bible Preview. She makes aspirational pieces relatable to every woman in the country. Her sharp eye and relaxed sense of style make her both a great example of how to enjoy fashion and how to respect our designers. She is easily our own Anna Wintour; however, Pauline’s passions lie in interior design. It is probably because she and her husband Raffy are both blessed with amazing taste, and that makes clothes alone seem limiting.

8. Vince Uy. He taught us how to aspire and be inspired by fashion through his images. His bold editorials shook the media industry. This is partly because Vince was a decorated member in the advertising industry before plunging into fashion. He now handles four titles in Summit publishing: Esquire, Preview, Town and Country and another upcoming title. Vince’s attitude and dedication to his craft is what makes it go beyond just creating a look. He has created a genre.

9. Steve Tirona. He made fashion photography fun. His unforgettable Imelda Marcos shoot, which she says was the best photo session of her life, is just one of the many examples of how he makes fashion not just fun but also kooky without sacrificing aesthetic value.

10. Lulu Tan Gan. Her brand remains timeless. She is an inspiration in creating a signature look that’s not all about shock and awe. She is the Diane Von Furstenberg of the country, due to her knitwear designs that have been consistent throughout the years.

11. Cesar Gaupo. Everything he creates is memorable. He even impressed David Tang, the east-meets-west fashion czar who runs Shanghai Tang. He became chief designer of the iconic label and now is the king of shoemaking in the country.

12. Mich Dulce. Hat’s off! Mich was the underground cutie who has been making clothes since she was a teenager. Ever the daring designer, she moved on from frock making to millinery. Her off-kilter choice and amazing talent has brought her to the land of Gossip Girl, where Blair wears one of her creations.

13.Gian Romano.  He brought street style to the street. His rebellious flair, has made subversive clothing cool for bad girls and elegant for good girls. His impact on underground culture is made relevant to the real world with his amazing technical skills. 

14. Krist Bansuelo. Although he now specializes in advertisements Krist, created the Filipino “natural look.” The skin glowing with a touch of rose became the obsession of many young women. He made women comfortable in their own skin.

15. Miguel Rosales. He redefined home styling and tablescaping for homes. Miguel has taught his esteemed roster of clients and the reading public how to work on details. His magazine Flow was a cult hit. It was the tome for every design geek. Miguel’s luxurious taste is mixed with a lot of street cool that has inspired many young people to create palaces even with limited space.

16. Ed Calma. He created a sophisticated look that allowed us to embrace minimalism without feeling a cold draft. He created restaurants and bars, but he is mostly known for his homes that play with light beautifully. He has inspired progressive thinking for design fans here in the country.

17. Henri Calayag. He is a true artist who has silently been creating the looks of the city’s most famous faces. He is most famous for his collaborations with Tim Yap, where they pushed each other to create amazing makeovers almost on a monthly basis. His roster of the country’s most celebrated socialites shows the polar opposite of his talent. With them he uses a light hand that gives his bevy of peacocks an effortless grace.

18. Bea Valdes. She keeps the spirit of the country’s artisanal design culture alive. Formerly an interior decorator, Bea’s started making bags in her home with a small army of skilled beaders. She still maintains a tight ship. Despite her bags being featured in Vogues all over the world and even in the Sex and the City sequel, she doesn’t sell out. Although international celebrities have been smitten with her pieces, Bea never gives them away for PR purposes. She believes in her work, and that makes us believe in her and her singular talent.

19. Wynn Wynn Ong. Her dreamy pieces have elevated jewelry design into an art form. Culling historical references, there is true romance in Wynn Wynn’s pieces. She was born in Burma but raised in Manila and Vienna. Her colorful history and travels have given her the advantage of having a more sophisticated touch in jewelry design. This worldly woman makes otherworldly pieces.

20. Jeannie Goulbourn. She still makes native materials look modern and you know she’s having fun working with them. She collaborates with provincial folk and even prisoners to create pieces that celebrate the fun-loving personality of Filipinos through her line Silk Cocoon. Jeannie still jumps out of the cookie cutter by using amazing fabrics (Madonna is a fan) and quirky detailing. Silk cocoon carries menswear, ladies wear and home accessories.

21. Firma boys Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo. They created a lifestyle hub that allowed people to live with a bit of luxury. Their stores have been enchanted havens for all kinds of people. The window displays in their store Firma and AC632 all have a dreamlike quality to them. They are the ones who make our dreams turn into reality.

22. Inno Sotto. The choice couturier of many celebutantes, Inno’s sleek and architectural designs stand out without resorting to a dog and pony show. His fashion shows are the biggest fashion events in the country. He maintains an old world quality in everything he does. Today, Inno is enjoying being a father to a little boy. However, even if he is a dad, he is still fashion’s godfather.

23. Pepito Albert. He may be elusive but his construction and designs set the bar for many. His clothes dotted the pages of Vogue in the ‘80s, making him one of the first international Filipino fashion stars. Today he only caters to a small group of women. New designers lucky enough to get hold of a Pepito gown always bask in the beauty of his deft tailoring skills.

24. Everywhere We Shoot. A new image-making company that has led the Photoshop-jacking masses to revere quirky and natural imagery. The twenty-something couple Ryan Vergara and Garovs Gorovillo created cool and fun fashion editorials that played with humor and street style. Their memorable handbag attacking the city editorial is what put them on the map.

25. Myth. A store that gives Filipino designers a voice. Fashion lovers Ruby Gan and JJ Onrubia literally translated what was in their closets into a store. Myth carries all the modern designers such as Randy Ortiz, Ivarluski Aseron, Dennis Lustico and Joey Samson. It also carries Henri Calayag and Jing Monis cosmetics. No other store bows to our Filipino talents quite like Myth.

26: Jo Ann Bitagcol. The muse who also became a photographer. She embodies the unique spirit of the Filipina. Her mermaid long hair, incredible cheekbones, flawless skin and sylph-like physique made her the natural favorite for many designers. Jo Ann was discovered while working in a cotton-making factory; she quickly rose and heated up the runway. Although she is now on the other side of the camera, Jo Ann still makes epic appearances during fashion galas where is usually the star of the show.