In the Mood for Love

PHOTOGRAPHER: Irvin Rivera / graphicsmetropolis.com
MODELS:
Kendall Galan @No Ties
Jesse Somera @Photogenics
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Ryan Domigpe
PRODUCTION ASST: Francis Gum
ASST PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Darwin Abad
Ben Kui
STYLIST: James Juarez
ASST STYLIST: Victor Jonas
MAKE-UP ARTIST: Tokiko Inoue
HAIRSTYILIST: Nina Jo

VIDEOGRAPHER/EDITOR:

Manuel Quintanilla / cinematikartizan.com

FASHION:
ALBERT ANDRADA
ANTHONY FRANCO
EZRA
IBAY’S
LILLIAN SHALOM
OLIMA ATELIER
YEN RED AB
ASHTON MICHAEL
ZARA
THAT’S THEFFT
LUXE DE VILLE VINTAGE
KATHRYN AMBERLEIGH
BENCH
SILVERWORKS
AIISHA RAMADAN
DIOR
ARTURO RIOS
Comme De Garçon
FAUBOURG DU TEMPLE
NICOLAS JEBRAN
AUGUST FIELD
ARTURO RIOS
SHOWROOMS:
STYLE PR
For The Stars Fashion House
Fashion Forwards
Olima Atelier

Soundtrack: Angkor Wat Theme – Shigeru Umebayashi, In the Mood for Love

The post In the Mood for Love appeared first on Illustrado Magazine - Filipino Abroad.

Fashion Designer

Before he became known to the world as the designer to former Miss Universe Pia Wurzbach, as well as other Philippine beauty queens, Albert Andrada gained prominence in the UAE and the GCC region as a Royal Designer to the ruling Al Sharqi family of Fujairah.  Hired after his win as Designer of the Year at the Swarovski Bridal Show in Dubai in 2020, Albert led a design atelier and production team of 29 people, creating 50 couture pieces for the Sheikha of Fujairah and her three daughters on a monthly basis.  Quite a feat, but just the norm, in the opulent royal household.

Bandoix Flores

Fashion Designer

Called the “Klassista” fashion designer Bandoix Flores Nebria was a well-loved figure within the UAE fashion community where he is known for his elegant and classic creations, as well as his affinity for the color black.  A member of the fashion royalty in Dubai, Bandoix was the Creative Director of Warda Haute Couture, and his gowns were worn by the elite in the country and the region.  He also won praises for his collection under his very own label BFN at the Philippine Fashion Week in 2011.

Nina Naval-Niemczyk & Manette Mercado Mc-Even

Models

Filipina professional models have been walking on the most prestigious runways in Dubai since the late 2000s.  Two who pioneered Filipino representation on local catwalks were Nina Naval-Niemczyk and Manette McEven, who have been regular fixtures in the region’s definitive fashion event – Dubai Fashion Week until it transformed into Fashion Forward in 2013.  Nina has walked for couture houses Amato, Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos, House of Yen, as well as acclaimed brands Moschino, Harvey Nichols, Splash. L’Oreal, Vikram Padnis, among many others, most of the time, the lone Filipino within the line-up of multi-cultural models.  Manette, on the other hand, has been part of the awaited seasonal shows of high street brand Splash and Iconic and has also modeled for other luxe brands like Mimosa and Harvey Nichols, among others.

Both well-respected award-winning supermodels back in the Philippines before they moved to Dubai, Nina, and Manette have, for a time, exemplified quintessential Filipina beauty and grace in the local fashion scene.

CADD For Kabayan

Community Champions

CADD for Kabayan is one of those community organizations in the UAE that has changed the lives of Filipinos through skills education. During their tenure in the community, they have trained over 7,000 individuals, which included TESDA NCII Certified passers in Structural Drafting, in turn facilitating the career growth for their students. Established in 2002, CADD for Kabayan is a non-profit organization that conducts technical training for OFWs and their dependents in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, providing ample knowledge to people who want to learn more in the fields of Engineering and Architecture and other related sectors. The organization was put up to give a chance for OFWs to compete in the world of Information Technology, according to Founder Engineer Orandantes Delizo.

OPPPS – Overseas Professional Pinoy Photographers Society

Community Champions

For years since its founding in 2003, the Overseas Pinoy Professional Photographers Society (OPPPS) has birthed hundreds of talented Filipino photographers in the UAE, many of them excelling in various fields of practice.  Established to share photography ideas and techniques to both amateurs and professionals in the field, the group, which originally was formed to foster the love for the art of photography, has equipped many budding artists to venture into the field as freelancers, giving some of them an alternative career option. The organization provided courses on Digital Photography, Digital Darkroom (Post Processing), Studio Portrait and Fashion Photography (Indoor and Outdoor), Going Places with Camera and OPPPS (Field Trips), Simplified Photo Journalism, Photo Essay and other Photography related topics. Part of the learning also includes slide shows, photo contests, member critiques, field trips, among others.

Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf is Supported by: Kaya Skin Clinic,  Emirates Airline, and Unilever.

Special Thanks to Michael Cinco, Ezra Couture , Giordano, Darcey Flowers, IKON Solutions, Victors Freight, MPQ Tourism, Asia Gulf Companies –La Carne & Filfood, WOL Water

Get a copy of Illustrado 300 Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf Legacy Edition

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ALBERT ANDRADA’S UNDYING MAGIC

A couple of days after the eight day non-stop unveiling of fashion collections at the Philippine Fashion Week Spring Summer 2012 came to a halt, the die-hard fashionistas are presently comparing and sharing notes cum personal observations. Some go the length of passing on judgments such as who had the tackiest collection, or to their prejudiced mind exhibited the best.

Some base their judgments on which collection gathered the loudest bravo and brava tossed by fashion near-addicts who left the comforts of their homes so as not to miss the eagerly awaited miracles taking place on the fashion runways.

Albert Andrada is classified by many as one of the princes of Dubai fashion, hand-in-hand with the other bright fashion star, Michael Cinco. For PFW SS2012, the duo was joined by the fair Ezra Santos, likewise a name to reckon with in that abounding city in the world today.

GRAND ALLURE was the third outing of visiting Albert Andrada in the latest Philippine Fashion Week. Both his first and second foray was met with generous applause and wild whistles from his stunned audiences.

In the most recent PFW’s Grand Allure, his loyal fans behaved differently. When his initial teasers materialized on the ramp there was near stillness and silence among the spectators.

This occurrence can easily lead his detractors to bitch and conclude accusingly that the Andrada magic is no more! The clueless can easily be swayed by this unfair conclusion. Yet, ten thousand people with such opinion can all be wrong!

When this erstwhile fashion person was still in the grove of putting up fashion collections, I welcomed such near silence during my shows. The late Elvira Manahan, Chona Kasten and their gang mate Ramon Valera were the ones who enlightened me that when the audience is quiet it is a sign that they are so engrossed and smitten by the beauty and elegance of one’s collection. That is what they then told me, anyway.

The latest Andrada body of work was inspired by an ingenious theme. Hiawatha, Pocahontas are embodied in Albert’s Grand Allure Collection. There are so many arresting details fiercely led by the American eagle emblazoned on his signature outfit on Ria Bolivar – his piece de resistance.

Kilometric silken fringes inventively draped on the shoulders of his lovely models are guaranteed to take anyone’s breath away. In a very harmonious mode, the intricate filigree work floating on the skin toned basic tulle gowns can gladden even the most stoic members of the crowd that blessed Sunday afternoon.

 Albert, believe your Maestro.

Photos courtesy of Christian De Leon Espiritu

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At the easternmost part of the United Arab Emirates, along the Gulf of Oman is the emirate of Fujairah.  Here, the Royal Family has, under their wing, a unique kind of jewel – that is, haute couture Filipino designer Albert Andrada.

By Lalaine Chu-Benitez – Photos by Eros Goze

In the last two years, Albert Andrada has made his brand of couture sparkle, not only in the emirate, but also as a homecoming fashion hero in the Philippines. 

A contemporary of Frederick Peralta and Eddie Badeo and a former member of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines, Albert left the Philippines for the Middle East in 1986, against his parent’s wishes, to venture out on his own and explore how far he can stretch his talent away from his comfort zone.  Growing up pampered in an affluent Manileño family, his father predicted that he wouldn’t survive without the usual support system he had home.  Thankfully, that prediction didn’t come true; Albert said that despite all the challenges he had to face in establishing a career from scratch as a designer in the region, he always believed that his move was probably the best thing he had done for himself and his designing career.

A charmed life in the Royal Household

Albert Andrada has been living a charmed life for the last nine years.  As head fashion designer for the Royal Family of Fujairah and a trusted member of the Royal Household, the designer’s life is cloaked in grandiosity like nobody else can imagine.

Leading a design and production team of 29, Albert whom the Royal family hired after winning the Designer of the Year Award at the Swarovski Bridal Show in Dubai in 2002, manages the royal atelier which creates some 50 couture pieces on a monthly basis – just for the Sheikha and her three daughters.  The job, which sounds more like the output of a commercial haute couture house serving many clients during peak season in the emirates, is no small feat.  “It’s like creating a full collection for a gala fashion show every quarter,” Albert shares.

Then there are those trips all over the world – privileged class all the way and official escorts at every stop; luxury and the good life at every turn; summers spent in London where a stretch limo with a British chauffeur is at his disposal even for the proverbial “small trip” to the corner store.  When Albert and Assistant Designer Rene Santos shop for the Royal family anywhere in the world, in luxury shops like Harrods (which is regarded by the Royal family like a favorite “sari-sari” store), they receive treatment that is only reserved for a chosen few.  Albert fondly remembers one specific incident where a cashier’s till had to be closed because they exceeded the maximum allowable purchase for that day. Albert, who did not want to disclose the amount of that shopping trip, said, “Harrods’ management had to open another till just for us, to accommodate all the stuff we needed to buy.”

Still, with his exposure to all these luxuries, his influence and the liberties he’s been given, Albert, who is known in the local fashion circle for his exceptional generosity and kindness, has kept himself firmly rooted.  “We have been very blessed to be treated so well by the Royal family, and I am very thankful.  There was never a time when we felt like we were regarded as employees.  So on my part, I always make sure that I deliver my best, that I am mindful of my place, and never abuse their trust, no matter how close I have become to them.”

That great attitude has certainly put the designer in good stead, because his number one supporter in pursuing his passion for fashion design is the Sheikha.  “Away from my work in the palace, I’ve always missed designing for myself – just creating the pieces that I wanted to do on my own terms.  So when the right time came, I asked for the Sheikha’s approval and I’ve been very blessed because she and her daughters have always encouraged me to go for it since then.”

A jewel of extraordinary luster and depth

A year ago, Albert made his presence felt in the fashion industry back home via the Philippine Fashion Week (PFW) 2010 unveiling a mini-collection entitled “Kohinoor.” The set featured elaborate and rich ensembles with crystals and mirror work in nude tulle, silks and satins, synthetic hair, elegant embroidery and draping inspired by the exotic aesthetics of Indian Maharajahs.  And what a debut it was.  Rave reviews and fashion blogs mentioned words like “jaw-dropping,” “spell-binding,” “dramatic” and “opulent,” referring to the show that would further whet Manila’s curiosity for the brand of haute couture that could only come from the rich canvas and creative playing field available to Filipino designers in the Gulf.

Then this year, Albert returned to PFW, this time with a collection called “The Last Virgins of the Renaissance.” His show, a collection of floaty pieces with exquisite ruffles, chiffons and organzas embellished with lace, gold and silver embroideries and splashes of Swarovski crystals here and there, was such a spectacle, audiences automatically assumed that it was the finale. Rave reviews once again followed, a TV interview with ANC, invitations from the industry key players and the metro’s ‘who’s who,’ as well as recognition from fashion watchers, cementing Albert Andrada’s position as a formidable one to watch out for in the Philippines; something the designer is set to follow through as he eyes the establishment of his own brand boutique at home.

Together with Michael Cinco and Furne One, Albert Andrada’s amazing show of world-class brilliance and bravura, unfettered by conventions and logistical limitations has definitely caught the attention of style pundits in Manila. Their impressive show of talent, including those of their UAE-based peers including Bandoix Flores, Ruben Santos, Angelo Estera, Cherry Samuya Veric, has created a new level of acceptance and recognition for the once “underestimated” so-called “OFW” Filipino designers in the Middle East. Albert also says, “Hopefully, seeing a different, braver and richer fashion perspective from us will also push our young designers to up their game and be more creative and competitive like never before.”

For Albert, designing is not an end in itself. Coming home with his designs has been a dream 25 years in the making.

He shares, “Going back to the Philippines for me is my way of paying back. I have always prayed that I become a blessing to others.  I am the kind of person who wants to motivate and inspire people.” He furthers, “By showing my works, I want our young talented designers to be inspired, to dream beyond what is usual for them, to look out into the world, explore their creativity without limits – and take that back to the Philippines.” 

And without a doubt, Albert Andrada, who is truly a jewel of extraordinary luster and depth, will get his wish – and that is to shine his gracious light on the international Philippine fashion firmament.

 *Albert Andrada is all set to make his mark in Manila once again, at the Philippine Fashion Week this 30th October 2011.

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