Fashion forward, fashion future

MANILA, Philippines - “I was exposed to fashion all my life,” says designer Robin Tomas, growing up surrounded by the gowns and costumes of his mother, comedienne Tessie Tomas. Because of this, the New York-based designer says, “I have a deep appreciation for fashion.”After a stint in the advertising industry, Robin decided to pursue his true passion for fashion. Graduating at the Parsons School of Design in 2002, he went on to intern for Valentino and Anna Sui and worked at the Gap, J. Crew and Tommy Hilfiger.

“I love traveling, seeing different cultures, art, and architecture,” Tomas says on what inspires his work. “I believe wherever you go, part of your culture goes with you and somehow manifests,” he adds, being a proudly-Filipino designer.

“My mom is very supportive. She inspires me… she’s also my number one critic!” says Tomas on his mom’s influence on his work. “It’s nerve-wracking to work for your mom! But, so far, she likes it.” Recently, not only Tessie Tomas has become a fan of Robin’s work.

It was his winning design for Supima Cotton that really put him on the fashion map. In the competition, Tomas reinvented the standard t-shirt. Tomas designed and produced a three-layered shirt which showed off the versatility as well as the lightness of the luxurious premium pima cotton. His design left some of the edges unfinished to further showcase the cotton’s fine quality fibers.

Tomas remembers just walking into Bloomingdale’s with his sketches, fresh from Manila fashion week. Tomas triumphed over some 50 applicants and six finalists in the design competition.

Tomas’ background in advertising also played a part in his winning design, he muses, pointing out that some of the other designers’ works were stunning, but not as marketable as his. The shirt was launched in a limited run in Bloomingdale’s in March.

Since then, he has been developing his own line called Tomas. “You have to be on top of your game – it’s a warzone!” Tomas says of being a designer in New York. “The market is very saturated.” The designer adds that designing upscale fashion in a country undergoing recession is tough, “But it doesn’t stop me. The recession has made the market aware of emerging designers.”

Tomas says he is taking small steps to build his line slowly but surely. Describing his label as “luxury meets wearability” and “effortless elegance and sophistication,” the designer recently launched his Fall collection for the US market.

“I see myself in New York, but also going back and forth,” Tomas says of his plans. “I want to take care of the Filipino market as well,” he adds, pointing out that when it comes to fashion, “’Di magpapahuli ang Pinoy (The Pinoy will not be left behind)!” Tomas is excited about his latest project for the Philippines market, designing for local clothing brand, Penshoppe.

“The US market is trend and quality-driven, while in the Philippines it is couture-driven, very intricate, and focused on the clients,” says Tomas on the differences between the two markets. Working in both countries, he says, has given him a broader perspective. “Be tough, have a strong point of view,” he advises those who want to survive in the fashion industry in any country.

Tomas wants to be known as a Filipino born and raised designer. “I want to make people aware that we can play the game,” he says. “My goal is to continue building the brand, venturing into menswear, become a mainstream clothing label and be known as a designer from the Philippines.” Ultimately, “I want to be an inspiration. It is possible to go for your dreams,” he says, adding quickly, “Do not forget where you came from.”

As any good fashion designer, Tomas keeps on looking forward, thinking of more and more innovations in his designs. Fittingly, the up and coming designer ends the interview saying: “Watch out for the future!”