Not all young people get to experience this, though. Some youngsters struggle with choosing career paths because of their economic situation.
“You know how parents can be,” says Redge Tabaniag. “They wanted me to take up Nursing because it was the on-trend course. I didn’t have that many options, so I just followed their decision.”
He graduated from the St. Augustine School of Nursing in 2009. Staying in school was one of the most difficult decisions he ever had to make, because he already knew his career goal as early as third year high school.
He opted to be the good son. The Nursing degree was to be a fallback for him if things went awry in the future.
“I cried a lot. If you don’t really like what you’re doing, it is not going to work. It is going to be a hard life,” the struggling artist shares. His workload, practicum and exams required his complete attention. He considers his college years the most challenging part of his journey.
It was not easy for him to ignore fashion. To escape from his reality, he assisted in his friends’ photo shoots, to get creative relief from his woes. It was the same group of people who told 
Despite lack of family support, the young designer still had a good disposition. Growing up with mostly males in his household, he now understands the not-so-visible support he gets from them.
“They show support, but they’re not that showy, I guess. It’s fine, because I did it anyway,” he says.
Why people dress up
“I want people to incorporate the words ‘class’ and ‘elegance’ with my designs. I believe that’s why people dress up—to look classy, to look elegant and to stand out.” This is how the aspiring wedding designer wants people to remember his ensembles.
The wedding scene is not usually the preferred landscape for a young designer to go into. However, Tabaniag has this thirst for design knowledge. He believes this side of the fashion scene will help him become a better designer.
“I picked this because I wanted to be exposed to intricate designs,” he says.
Even if people are already saying his works are good enough, he feels otherwise. He chooses to work with a bridal shop to learn the tricks of the trade in this industry. “So, I went for it. I didn’t have any hesitations, because I know I’ll learn so much from them, too,” he adds.
But Tabaniag isn’t a one-trick-pony kind of designer. He manages to easily fuse a Victorian aesthetic and Japanese heritage in one ensemble. Case in point is his high-waist pleated shorts, cinched with a pleather-based origami belt with floral printed silk fabric, and matched with a gold floral cropped top with flower appliqués.
He also nails the nostalgic wedding look with his beautifully draped bohemian gown with a terno blazer, with billowy long sleeves for shape.
Persevering, unrelentless, headstrong—three words that describe this young designer. His experiences made him stronger and more empowered to move on to his colorful future.
He dreams of being part of Philippine Fashion Week someday. He claims that he gets his inspiration from his creative environment. The love for this craft is the reason he survived the trials he has encountered. “It is the one thing I hold on to, and it strengthens my will to go on.”
Styling by
Maureen Manuel
Photography by Edric Chen
Make up by
Justine del Rosario
Hair by
Jet Babas