I’m always happy to hear about Fil-Ams who are making it mainstream. It inspires me to hear their stories and inspirations. A sterling success story I wish to share with all is that of noted LA designer and Fil-Am Alan Del Rosario. The Reflections Committee has chosen him as the 2008 Young Fashion Designer.
I recently had a lunch meeting with Alan at Max’s Restaurant. It was an honor to sit down with one of the most brilliant young designers working in the fashion world today.
Sincere and unassuming, Alan filled me in on his backstory—he’s a former civil engineer from Cebu City.
I asked him how he ended up in fashion. For him, it was simply a self rediscovery some 15 years ago.
He enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandize in LA and turned out to be one of the best students in the class.
His excellence earned him the prestigious Bob Mackey fashion design award and scholarship which obviously paved the way for his future in fashion.
Asked where his design inspirations come from, he said "Everything that I see inspires me." He added that he doesn’t know exactly where his inspiration comes from. Sometimes he wakes up in the middle of the night and discovers a concept. There was a time when he drove back and forth between LA and San Diego and at the end of the journey, he had an entire collection for the next season sorted out.
The first time I saw an Alan Del Rosario creation up close was during last year’s Simbang Gabi gala in Beverly Hills hosted by the Bantay Bata Foundation. That night, I was on the hunt for the best dressed ladies in attendance. Millie Gurfinkel, who happened to be wearing one of Alan’s designs, was my number one pick.
Alan’s work has also been showcased on the TV reality show Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency and the Mercedez-Benz Fashion Show during LA fashion week.
I had to ask Alan what challenges him as a Fil-Am in the mainstream fashion industry. His answer was an upbeat "nothing."
He explained that his clients and the people he works with are color blind. Alan added that rather than identifying with a certain race or ethnicity, he puts forward the universal identity of professionalism matched with talent.
Alan recently established a clothing label called Bow & Arrow, a more accessible collection for the everyday woman who demands affordable style in every face of her day and night. He describes the collection as sexy, sophisticated and funky.
For his work, Alan has landed awards such as California’s Designer of the Year and GenArtLA’s Fresh Face. Some of his more famous clients are Michelle Pfeiffer, Debra Messing, Paris Hilton and many more.
Ladies and gentlemen to all my readers, may I present to you, the Reflections 2008 Young Fashion Designer and our FilAm pride, Mr. Alan Del Rosario.
From a noted designer, we now jump on to a noted wearer of fine designs, a fashionista named Mr Rhyan Deles.
Movers in the industry such as fashion designer Lou Razon as well as LA Patron of the Arts Bong Prada Lim both have personally commended Rhyan’s impeccable taste in fashion.
The first time I remember being impressed by Rhyan’s fashion choices was two years ago at a Reflections gala in North Hollywood. He stood out and shone as a fearless fashionista who can carry an outfit with poise and conviction. At the end of the night, the crowd had elected him as the Best Dressed Male—an honor very well deserved.
Rhyan it seems has always had a keen fashion sense. He inherited this trait from his own mother who herself is a fashion maven. Among his many passions, Rhyan has been known to direct memorable fashion events in the Philippines as well as the US.
In this capacity, he has worked with A-list celebrities. Friends and admirers have described Rhyan’s individual style as distinct and divine.
Ladies and gentlemen, this year’s Reflections Man of Style is none other than the trendsetter Mr Rhyan Deles.
I invite everyone to cheer on our very own artful FilAms on Saturday, November 22, 2008 for the 20th and final Reflections Awards to be held at the Marriott Hotel Downtown Los Angeles.
For more information, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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The author is a Marikina-born, award-winning celebrity beauty stylist with his own chain of salons across Southern California and Las Vegas, Nevada. Ultimately, Monet is known as an all-around artiste who produces sold-out fashion and awards shows, as well as unforgettable marketing campaigns. Monet is also the founder of the revolutionary all-natural beauty products available at www.skinbymonet.com. He supports many humanitarian efforts to include projects in his native Marikina, The Bantay Bata Foundation, and many more. To contact Monet, please visit www.monetsalon.com for more information.
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