The Wedding Fact Sheet

I treasure my recent meeting with Oliver Tolentino, one of the Philippines’ fast-rising fashion designers. He shuttles between continents, as he has shops in both Los Angeles (California) and Manila (Makati City). He has dressed up a number of celebrities including Imelda Marcos, Lea Salonga, singer Patti Austin, former Spice Girl Mel B and Kimora Lee Simmons.

A check with his website shows that he specializes in wedding gowns as well. In the interview that follows, get to know more about his style and how he’s bent on promoting the best of Filipino fabrics. We think he will provide the perfect, contemporary touch to your Filipiniana or eco-chic theme wedding

What’s your signature design and design philosophy?

My designs always have some Filipino touch, usually the detailing.  I love to use colors and prints and mix them in ways that you initially wouldn’t think would work.  

What are your insights on eco-ethical design (in the Philippines and abroad)?

Eco fashion / sustainable fashion is the hottest thing right now and wherever I go I promote our native fabrics.  I personally have introduced them to the fashion dean of Parsons in New York, the owners of Paul Mitchell, an eco fabric charity in Hong Kong, the crowd at the Ronald Reagan 100th birthday gala, and my fashion shows in the Bahamas and Palm Springs.  I get a lot of pride out of exposing what we Filipinos can create to people who have never seen our indigenous fabrics.

So far, what do you think is your greatest achievement as a designer?

I’m proud to be the first Philippines-based fashion designer to expand into the United States when I opened a shop in Los Angeles.  But I don’t think it (greatest achievement) has happened yet. 

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Because of the dangers posed by global warming, pollution and other environmental ills, there is an increasing clamor for green-themed or environmentally-friendly weddings.This is the case if you and your partner are cause-oriented or want to push your favorite advocacy.A case of dedicating your wedding to Mother Nature, to bring in good karma

Having a “green wedding” is not as hard as you think. It’s all in the details. Here are a few ways you can do so:

1. Choose a location that evokes the beauty of Mother Nature. A beach or a garden is a good example. Many people exchange vows in these venues without maximizing the good it can do to the environment, so think about how you can work around a motif that is “eco-chic.”

2. Wear vintage or your mother’s/grandma’s wedding gown. Aside from being budget-friendly, recycling wedding gowns promote conservation of the Earth’s scarce resources. You just have to think of having an old gown properly cleaned and altered.

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