“God has truly blessed my fashion career, perhaps because my life partner Edgar Medina and I have remained prayerful and obedient to His will,” said Eddie Baddeo. “And that is to share the talent I have borrowed and love doing by giving daily thanks to God and my clients.”
Baddeo celebrated 25 years in the fashion industry last June 12 with a collection he unveiled at Kowloon Shangri-La in Hong Kong for the benefit of Gawad Kalinga.
Baddeo’s being a devout Christian started in 1979 when he designed for Boots Anson Roa’s RTW line. Her nephew Miguel Paez taught him pattern-making, fabrications proportion; then Paez entered the priesthood. To this day, he and Baddeo have stayed in touch.
In 1982, Baddeo worked under designer-entrepreneur Robert Castañeda, who founded and is now head servant of Our God Loves Prayer Community. From Castañeda, Baddeo learned to cut on the bias with a minimalist style. Castañeda also taught him the classic rules of fashion, which Baddeo would break when he made the now-iconic gown made of metal Venetian blinds.
He was nicknamed the “Bad Boy of Fashion,” yet in real life, Baddeo is shy and very feminine. His first celebrity client was Brooke Shields. He also became known for his original and fashion-forward couture—designs that were always three steps ahead.
When Baddeo guested on my TV show “Larry Leviste’s A-List,” his gowns proved avant-garde in color schemes, dramatic, embellished with fur and Swarovski, and always had impeccable craftsmanship.
“Believe it or not, a rich Chinese taipan once told me, it is my face and countenance [always in brown blazer, pony-tailed hair and flawless complexion] that give me a talent for luck and a luck for talent. I never forgot that,” said Baddeo.
His clients love his romantic French approach to bridal couture. This year, his gowns come in Andalusian lace and layers of tulle, finished off with his signature caviar beadwork.
Baddeo was a Young Brothers Cup Awardee CHIC ’96 (Beijing, China International Fashion Week Event), then Best Designer at the Putri Asean (an annual Asean model princess search).
He is sought after by women who get onthe annual Best Dressed list. Last September, for instance, Marcott Almeda wore a gown of peacock green serpentine draping bodice and 70 yards of ostrich feathers at the 2011 Best Dressed Women of the Philippines event by the Philippine Cancer Society.
Baddeo’s outreach charities include Silong Tanglaw Children and Home for the Aged. He is also a devotee of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Baclaran.
His atelier is at 63 West Ave., QC (telefax 3715843, mobile 0917-5995508; e-mail eddie_baddeo@yahoo.com.ph). Today’s spread show four top muses of Baddeo in his personal best designs.