This country is no stranger to Cebuano fashion talent. We need look no further than Furne One, Jun Escario and Cary Santiago, to name a few. Then there’s Monique Lhuillier.
It’s inarguable that no other Filipino designer has reached the same level of global success that she has, and we Cebuanos, the fiercely loyal bunch that we are, are proud to call her our own.
But fashion, perhaps more than any other pursuit, revels in the new, the now, the what’s next, and who’s next, and we think we may have found three young designers who embody that.
Mike Yapching, Bree Esplanada and Exur Lopena all caught our eye at Glitterati 4: Designer Denim, an annual fashion show of local personalities at The Northwing, SM City Cebu.
Yapching showed a sports-inspired collection worn by Zarah Majam, Ysa Unchuan, Alex Osmeña, Christian Ugarte and Takeshi Suzuki.
Esplanada played with patching and infused elements of grunge in the pieces he created for Alyssa Sacal, Tia Pastrano, Josie Gullas, Adrian Au and Xandro Romualdez.
Lopena’s minimal collection was anything but basic on Jennifer Kim, Joachim Go, Sofia Snare, Iani Miranda and Liana Pastrano.
Though these three may be young, they’re no rookies. Yapching, 25, was the first and only Filipino to become a finalist in the Audi Star Creation in 2011 in Singapore, which aims to uncover new design talent in Asia.
Esplanada, 24, won Best Designer in the pre-pageant night of the prestigious Miss Cebu for two consecutive years, and Lopena, 20, was one of Lee Jeans’ Style Army 2012 Grand Champions.
But beyond the awards, what gets us excited about these three are their fresh perspectives and distinctly individual points-of-view.
From Yapching’s cerebral approach to Esplanada’s youthful irreverence and Lopena’s intensity, we think the industry (in Cebu and beyond) could use a voice such as theirs.
Mike Yapching
What is your design philosophy?
I consider myself a Filipino designer in the sense that I include Filipino design elements in my garments. I also always take into consideration the comfort of the people who wear my clothes.
Three words that describe your style?
Innovative. Modern. Relevant.
Who do you see wearing your pieces?
I picture independent and strong women wearing my clothes, the likes of Daphne Paez and Olivia Palermo.
What was it like working with the young during Glitterati?
It was a breath of fresh air! It was a great opportunity to dress the young people. The event was an opportunity for me to review my perspective.
Who are your style icons? Who would you love to dress and why?
My style icon is Elsa Schiaparelli. She was an intellectual and had impeccable taste. I would like to dress up Heart Evangelista again. It would be a dream to design for Cara Delevingne and Jessica Chastain.
Since when were you interested in fashion?
Since I was very little. My grandmother and aunt are seamstresses, and I grew up watching them make clothes. I saw how they made their clients happy and wanted to bring joy to people the same way.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
Everywhere. Since nature is the best designer, I get subtle details from nature and incorporate these in my designs. I don’t normally follow trends as I want my clothes to look classic and have longevity.
What challenges have you encountered as a young designer, especially in Cebu? It’s always hard to please clients in Cebu as they already have an idea of what they want. The hard part is trying to sacrifice your aesthetics to accommodate the clients’ needs. However, we are also lucky because Cebu has a tight-knit community of designers who are always willing to help a young designer. out.
Call Mike Yapching at 0949 913 2218 or (032) 2629017.
Bree Esplanada
Three words that describe your style?
Sleek. Tailored. Rock and roll.
Who do you see wearing your pieces?
Anyone can wear my pieces, but I enjoy clients who are willing to try something new. Either way, I make sure that all of my clients look confident in my designs.
Who are your style icons? Who would you love to dress and why?
My style icons are Audrey Hepburn and Jessica Lange. I’m obsessed with the band Haim and would love to dress them.
Has anybody mentored you?
Edwin Ao is my mentor. He taught me to find my aesthetic and to be unique in this industry.
What material are you partial to?
I usually work with tweed, wool, satin and chiffon, and embellish them with my metal craft.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
I try to see things from a different perspective and find beauty in the ordinary.
What challenges have you encountered as a young designer, especially in Cebu?
The challenges are client-related because they have different demands and you have to please them, but I use them as my motivation to strive harder.
What are your thoughts on the Cebuano fashion industry?
The fashion industry is becoming more open. Cebuanos have also become more adventurous and daring.
Call Bree Esplanada at 0917-6299196; e-mail bree.esplanada@gmail.com.
Exur Lopena
What is your design philosophy?
Basic with a lot of twists.
Who do you see wearing your pieces?
People who are risk-takers, fearless, fun and don’t take things too seriously; those who love to play with fashion and understand it.
Since when were you interested in fashion?
Growing up, I was sick, weak, and shy, so I used art to inject sense and light to my life. Clothing was always the art form I chose—not for its pretentious glamor, but rather for its instant, powerful and emotional quality.
Putting on great clothes makes me forget my ugliness, insecurities and inabilities. Fashion gave me tremendous strength to at least face the world, and strength was always what I needed. Fashion is my escape. It is where I hide yet show myself all at once.
What made you pursue fashion? Fashion sort of saved me, so I embraced every facet of it. I did not care what career path in fashion I was taking. I studied fashion design in college, and I didn’t want to ever graduate from it.
Has anybody mentored you? No. The passion for fashion doesn’t really run in my family.
What materials are you partial to?
I like materials that don’t need a lot of maintenance, like non-crease or dark-colored textiles. I also like anything metallic or translucent. I like leather a lot, and any material that resembles it.
Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
I get inspired by abstract concepts that seem cool, interesting or unexpected. I take a lot of time playing with patterns, fabrics, shapes and ideas on my dress form or in my head until I find an interesting equation.
What challenges have you encountered as a young designer, especially in Cebu?
The challenge, for me, really is being new, trying to learn the ropes, creating a niche, and balancing creative and commercial pursuits.
What are your thoughts on the Cebuano fashion industry?
World-class.
Call Exur Lopena at 0927-7346269; e-mail exurjude90210@yahoo.com.