In many aspects, more and more Filipinos are being recognized internationally may it be in the field of sports, entertainment or even in the field of journalism. We have Manny Pacquiao for boxing, the international singing sensation Charice Pempengco and recently awarded Sherbien Dacalanio for CNN iReport Spirit Honorees.
Filipinos are indeed globally competitive. And now, here comes Oliver Tolentino, a Filipino designer who gives another piece of honor to the Philippines.
Tolentino was recently chosen by the famous “Forget You” singer Cee Lo Green to be the designer for the costumes for the US singer’s upcoming music video entitled, “I Want You.”
During an interview published on the website, abs-cbnnews.com dated April 26, Oliver Tolentino shared that the stylist of Cee Lo Green approached him to work on the latest project since “there are only a few people who can do these outrageous costumes.”
Based on the designer’s view, the latest music video of Cee Lo Green adapts a theme that is inspired by the late Liberace.
Most people can identify Liberace as a famous American performer and pianist. He is also popular for the colorful costumes he carried during his presentations. The costumes worn by Liberace have been prepared in Hollywood. But the Filipino designer Tolentino proudly said that these were all made in the Philippines.
Oliver Tolentino is a native of Bataan. He has already finished designing two costumes for Cee Lo Green. As mentioned in an article from a website, one of Green’s costumes will be “a robin egg blue suit” accentuated with embroidery plus Swarovski crystals. It will also be highlighted with a turquoise furry Philippine-made overcoat out of raw silk cocoon coming from Aklan.
Another outfit that Tolentino has designed is a “bright red suit embellished with gold embroidery, beads, and Swarovski crystals” featuring a “Liberace-inspired cape of peacock fabric and gold embroidery.”
Other than Cee Lo Green, Tolentino was also able to design dresses for the famous model Ivey Mansel who has been the video’s “princess.”
Because of their good outputs, Tolentino also give credits to his tailors, cutters and embellishers who are Filipinos as well.
Previously, designer Tolentino personally attended the Las Vegas shoot as he shared that the work for the music video was such an enjoyable activity.
Tolentino gained a title being a “Designer of the Week” in the successful El Paseo Fashion Week held in Los Angeles last March. He had been the first Filipino designer whose clothing line reached in US. Moreover, he is also honored for using sustainable fabrics and also for making use of materials that are environmentally friendly.
