In the ever evolving fashion industry, Oliver Tolentino has found his way into the spotlight. The Filipino-American fashion designer has seamlessly brought together the best of couture, sustainability, and Filipino artistry for a label that pushes the boundaries of eco-couture and demonstrates the power of vision, passion, and innovation.
Achieving the Dream
After the world of fashion captured his heart at a young age, Tolentino was certain he would have a future in fashion.
“I already knew from the start that I will be a fashion designer,” Tolentino reveals as he reminisces childhood memories of playing with his sewing machine, sketching dress designs in his school notebooks, and marveling at gowns featured in his favorite fashion magazines.
Tolentino’s vision fueled by unwavering determination and hard work proved it was more than just a pipe dream. By the time he entered college, Tolentino had already studied at two Philippine fashion schools honing his innate talents and learning the in’s and out’s of the industry. His commitment to his craft was simply undeniable and laid the foundation for a successful fashion career in Manila.
“So, from the province, I moved to Manila to fulfill my city dreams in the Philippines,” Tolentino shares. “But, you know, what’s next after Manila?”
For Tolentino, it was the United States. Despite the uncertainty that came with launching a business in the midst of America’s Great Recession, he found a second home for his namesake atelier in Beverly Hills, California making him the first Filipino couture designer to expand stateside.
“Growing up in the province, my ultimate dream was to have a boutique here in the United States,” Tolentino recalls. “So, when I opened a store in 2009 on Melrose [Avenue], that dream came true and when I saw people visiting my store, adoring the clothes [in] the display window, that’s a big fulfillment for me.”
With luxurious, bridal, couture, and prêt-à-porter gowns that perfectly captured the essence of old Hollywood glamor through exquisite detailing, vibrant colors, and striking silhouettes, it was only a matter of time before his work caught the eye of A-List clientele, solidifying his name in the international fashion scene.
Considering the ever growing list of Hollywood stars who have donned his creations on television programs, red carpets, and award shows such as the Oscars, Golden Globes, Grammys, and Emmys; Tolentino’s most memorable moment in dressing a celebrity took place in 2013 on the American Idol stage.
“I’m a fan of American Idol, so when I saw Carrie Underwood wearing my couture piña gown on the screen I was so fascinated,” Tolentino fondly recalls with a glimmer in his eyes. “I felt so honored to be her designer that time and showcasing the piña fabric which is originally from the Philippines. That felt good as a Filipino designer.”
Underwood’s performance in Tolentino’s flowing, peach piña gown marked the first time Philippine fabric was worn on a live U.S. television show drawing attention to his eco-couture work.
Champion for Eco-Couture
Despite the success he has found as a world-renowned fashion designer, Tolentino remains rooted in his Filipino heritage and proudly promotes Philippine fabrics and artistry. He has masterfully modernized the look and use of the country’s native fabrics creating eco-couture collections that are stunning, sustainable, and well received by the international fashion community.
“I think as a Filipino designer you have to promote your local fabric,” Tolentino adds, highlighting the belief that lies at the heart of his work that has positioned him at the forefront of eco-fashion.
Not only are Philippine fabrics completely eco-friendly, a trend Tolentino finds the industry leaning towards, they strike a perfect balance between comfort and luxury. Piña, one of the native fabrics Tolentino incorporates into his designs, is a cloth of unmatched beauty and elegance. Known as one of the finest Philippine fabrics, piña is handwoven from the fibers of pineapple leaves forming a soft, lightweight, naturally lustrous fabric that lends itself well to Tolentino’s creations.
“Besides piña, I also use abaca (Manila hemp) from Palawan, also the silk from Negros,” Tolentino shares. “So, these are the few fabrics that I’m using and there’s a lot of [Filipino] weavers that are experimenting right now with another fiber which is saluyot (jute leaves), a vegetable fiber, and also they’re using water lily fiber to create an alternative for piña.”
Tolentino’s mission in promoting the Philippines’ native, handwoven fabrics and intricate calado embroidery in mainstream fashion goes beyond environmental sustainability. In addition to bringing patriotic touches to his creations, using fabrics derived from indigenous, raw materials supports the livelihood of Filipino artisans and ensures the preservation and prosperity of the country’s centuries-old weaving and embroidery industries.
Learn more about Oliver Tolentino, his journey and advocacy as an internationally acclaimed fashion designer, and his advice for the next generation of Filipino designers through his interview with Hiraya’s Editor In Chief Francis Arden in Beverly Hills, California.
Interview by: Francis Arden
Filmed & Edited by: Edward Harrington
Photography and Cover by: Francis Gum
___________
Oliver Tolentino’s Social Media links:
● Website: https://www.olivertolentino.com/
● Instagram Account: @theolivertolentino
