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. 

What were your greatest challenges and how did you overcome these?

I had challenges growing up in the province and not in the city with lots of social connections.  I overcame these by remembering where I came from and concentrating on doing my work as well as I could.  Later in my career, like all designers, I had financial and organizational problems.  I was very lucky to have met my business advisor and now I can just focus on the creative side more.

What principles would you like to share to aspiring designers who also want to be recognized globally?

Study and learn everything about our business.  Learn to draw, make patterns, cut, sew, and embellish because you’ll be able to know what creative limits you can ask others to push.

What do you think will be the trends to watch out for this 2011?

I think we will see a blending of ideas from the 1950s and 1960s.  There will be lots of colors but in classic designs.

Who has greatly influenced you as a designer? Why?

My mother.  She was a very creative woman in the province.  She opened my mind to colors because she loved flowers.  We once had a garden full of thousands of different species and colors of roses.

What do you think is the international market’s take on your designs? Why?

They have been very well received.  I combine the colors and intricate finishings of the East with the simple luxurious fabric and elegant cut of the West.   It’s so hard to find special dresses and gowns with intricate little touches with the quality that goes into hand-made clothes.  Los Angeles has welcomed me with open arms in less than 2 years of business there, and I couldn’t be more proud and thankful.

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.

3. Handmade paper invitations! Look for a supplier who uses recyled/recyclable paper and not one who opts for harmful chemicals, like dyes.

4. Choose your caterer. Those who go for the extreme will choose a supplier who will cater organic food. In all likelihood, this will be expensive. However, you can incorporate ‘green’ details like not allowing the use of non-biodegradable materials like styrofoam plastics in the whole catering process.

5. Educate your guests. If you don’t choose to go on an environmental overkill, nuggets of wisdom on saving Mother Nature can be incorporated in your place cards, menu and thank you cards. Eco-friendly quotations will give them food for thought while they savor the buffet.

6. Forget the bridal car, since this consumes gas. March on foot or use something more natural, like a horse-drawn carriage.

7. Use mineral make-up for the bride and the female entourage. THis kind of make-up is gentler to the skin and does not contain damaging oils and chemical additives.

8. Donate to charity. Among some couples, there’s a growing trend to forego of the usual cash gifts and bridal registry. Why not help a non-profit which works on protecting the environment?