America's Next Top Model, Philippine invasion

MANILA, Philippines - Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and Miss Jay might have said goodbye from America’s Next Top Model, but guess who’s saying hello?

It’s about time the world took notice. 2012 has been good for the Filipino designer out to conquer the world of fashion. Michael Cinco started the ball rolling when he dressed up the Top Model All Stars in Greece, bringing along some Bench undergarments and Georgina Wilson as stylist.

Tyra Banks started wearing Filipino-made garments, donning Francis Libiran’s gown for the Blossom Ball. Last week, she rocked a Rajo Laurel creation on her show. “Feelin’ the love from the Philippines today!” she even tweeted.

From producer, retail brand, model, a couple of designers and a muse. Could a Filipino judge be next?

This coming Monday, April 30 the Twitter trending charts will once again go sky high as fashion designer Francis Libiran gets the spotlight, with the models wearing Libiran for the reality show challenge. Francis was tasked by ANTM producer Mike Carandang to make “wrestling clothes inspired by the British and American flags and foxy Hello Kitty outfits.” Based on the images we’ve seen online, this will be a sure-fire hit, another feather in the cap of the Filipino fashion designer.

Pass The Mike

Credit goes to Mike Carandang, nonstop in his advocacy of championing Filipino talent. Mike has found a place in America as a top-notch producer, from the Jerry Springer Show to Tyra. He shuffles between the

    US and the Philippines spotting talent, and has been working tirelessly in bridging the gap, giving the Filipino designer his much- needed exposure on a global level. He most recently produced, (along with actress/producer G Tongi) a documentary about the Basco family — Filipinos who actively work in Hollywood — they went around the country and rediscovered their roots, and fell in love with the Philippines in the process.

America’s Next Top Model is going through several changes and is at its turning point. After the firing of the three judges, talks are rife that the producers are getting Filipino fashion blogger Bryan Yambao, more popularly known as Bryanboy, to be in the next season. I spoke to Bryanboy the other night and he said “he is still thinking about it.” We hope it’s a yes.

Spotlight on Francis Libiran as designer, with photos by Mark Nicdao and Anne Curtis as muse.

What you will be seeing on Monday on ANTM will be a triple whammy of sorts, a three-way fashion collaboration between artist, designer and muse. Spotlight on Francis Libiran as designer, with photos by Mark Nicdao and Anne Curtis as muse.

Supreme got first dibs on the images, which you are seeing on this page. Feel free to clip this piece of historical inspiration. It signals a time of global movement, where the Filipino voice, beauty and skill are getting recognized.

It’s about time for a Philippine invasion.

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