New York-based Filipino designer Robin Tomas launched his winning T-shirt design last March 19 at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street flagship department store in New York City, just in time for the spring season kickoff.
“I am elated, I am in Cloud Nine, I am numb,” Robin tells us when we cornered him at the launch.
He has every reason to be ecstatic.
Robin joined and won the Supima’s contest for best redesign/rethink of the cotton t-shirt competition last year and his winning design, the V-neck layered tonal tee cotton knit will be sold during a limited run. Supima is the promotional organization of American Pima cotton growers.
“It was quite a wait but I believe in right timing and things happening for a reason. This is the right time because currently, I am also working on my fall collection which I am trying to sell here in New York,” he shares.
A graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York, Robin has also interned for designers Anna Sui and Valentino. He’s also been a menswear designer at Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, and J. Crew.
“I’m setting foot here in Bloomingdale’s not just for me, but for the Philippines as well,” he shares, explaining how his partnership with Supima means for his career as a designer. “The first time I saw the label, I was so ecstatic. I couldn’t believe that my name is being sold in a major department store here in New York.”
The T-shirt is on a limited run, so better head to Bloomie’s now if you want to get a hold of it.
“We’re running out of some sizes already and it’s just the first day. Fortunately, it’s a happy problem,” he says laughing. “And I think my mom is buying half of what’s remaining.”
This is the third edition of Supima’s annual Design Competition, which was previously known as the “Competition for Emerging Designers.”
“The inaugural day sales is amazing. It’s a beautiful piece and Robin is a very talented designer,” says Buxton Midyette, Supima’s vice president of marketing and promotions.
Founded in 1954, Supima (Superior Pima Cotton) is a cotton variety unique to the US that produces luxurious cotton fabric used by various luxury brands. As its inspiration, Supima looked to the legendary Wool Secretariat competition, which had launched the careers of designers Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld.
Bloomingdale’s, for a few hours that glorious Saturday afternoon, played host to Tomas and his friends, who shared hors d’oeuvres, flowing white wine and stories.
“I’m just so happy to be here to see Robin. This is big. This means that he has arrived,” says Lyca Benitez Brown, who drove all the way from Stamford, Connecticut with a couple of friends.
His mother’s son
It has been a while since Robin stepped out of the shadows of her famous mom, actress Tessie Tomas, who flew from Manila to be with her son in this momentous event.
Robin left a lucrative job as an art director in an advertising agency in Manila to pursue his dream in New York. As the ever-supportive mother, Tessie gave her go-signal for Robin to go chase that dream.
Tomas says she feels so blessed to see Robin accomplish this feat.
“This is overwhelming. Parang hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na nangyayari ito, kasi hindi naman ordinaryo itong Bloomingdale’s” she says.
As a mother, Tessie always gives her son pointers, specially when he decided to move to the Big Apple.
“Kailangan masipag, makapal ang dibdib at mukha, may tiwala sa sarili. Kapag medyo mahina-hina ka dito, matatapakan ka lang. I always tell him, daanin mo sa sipag. Sige lang ng sige. Just be confident and huwag kang matakot na ilabas ang mga ideas mo,” she shares.
The proud mother went on to say that her son is truly amazing, and that she saw how inclined in art Robin was even at such a young age (“Eight years old pa lang yan, nag-i-sketch na,” she proudly says). To date, Robin has done almost 50 paintings.
The comedienne also shared that initially, she wanted her son to become a priest because their family doesn’t have a priest yet. “Pero parang ayaw niya, kaya hindi ko na pinilit,” she says laughing.
“I have encouraged him to reach for his dreams since he was a child and I am really so proud to see him achieve this. Not everyone gets this opportunity and he has to be thankful to everyone that has helped him,” Tessie adds.
And indeed, Robin is thankful.
“I’ve always admired my mom and she is always the wind beneath my wings, supporting me every step of the way,” he says.
The designer is also appreciative to Supima for the design break.
“This is a step up. I am getting so much closer to that dream, and I thank Supima for giving me this opportunity and I hope that they continue to discover and nurture new talents,” he enthuses.
For them at Supima, working with Robin has been a smooth ride.
“Robin is so great to work with, he has such great talent and he is a hard worker, too. That makes the difference,” Midyette says.
In the meantime, Robin is one step closer to his dreams and adds this new feather to his cap, and like his mom, he looks forward to that day when he can officially launch his Tomas label for women’s clothing here in America.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(NYNJ April 1-7, 2011 LifeEASTyle pg. 2)
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