Oj Hofer's enduring mantra
“Is it clean? Is it pure? Will it last? Will it endure?”
These are the postulates that sum up the fashion philosophy of Cebu-based, Manila-branched designer Oj Hofer. Outstanding testimony would be his recent show for FashionWatch Holiday 2010-2011 wherein he stripped the clothes down to their barest components. Consequently, shorn of details that would date, his designs stood out as ageless, forever-wearable and thus, classic.
UP Diliman-educated Oj shares, “I have clients both in Manila and in Davao, yet I feel that Cebu is a really good hub. Gone are the days when it was called, somewhat pejoratively, a laidback province. Truth is, because of direct flights, I can just fly and visit my friends and relatives in New York, Ireland or Australia without having to go through the traffic and pollution of Manila. Cebu is more strategic, yet less hectic.”
Oj acknowledges that Manila still remains the center of Philippine fashion — that’s why he has ready-to-wear clothes displayed at Jun Escario, Greenbelt 5 and at Bergamo in Resorts World Manila. He receives and fits clients at LPL Towers.
“Since my fashion statement is very specific, I cater to a smaller niche, and I’m happy catering to a smaller niche because I am able to deliver the design quality I can be proud of,” he shares. Oj adds that each creation has his imprimatur and is his own personal handiwork. Unlike most commercial designers who have factories, he has deliberately chosen the more personal route, by maintaining a small force of skilled seamstresses whom he has personally trained. He keeps a very limited production staff because he still makes the muslins himself. He is fully involved in the conceptual, creative and production processes. He even often takes the measurements himself and he always supervises the fittings of his garments. “I am there from inception to completion, be it a tank top, an Edwardian-type corset, an elaborately seamed trench coat or a delicate bridal gown. They all carry my personal caring and creative touch,” he says.
For the holidays, Oj is highlighting the disciplines of tailoring and draping. He’s doing dresses with very simple shapes but with draped necklines and back cowls. He is bringing the waistline back to its most flattering place via high-waisted billowy pants in sheer silks and jersey. Oj is streamlining women’s shoulders and framing their pretty faces with tailored, exaggerated collars and nip-waisted coats. He is also enhancing the elegance of their movements with pleated dresses that have asymmetrical hems and silk tassles, which can either conceal or reveal high slits. He is using colors, but not bright, garish ones — cardamom, paprika, saffron, bayleaf green, peppercorn brown, shiva blue, marigold — these colors spice up the holidays.
“I worked with shoe designer Monica Fig and accessories designer Noreen Tseng-Fernandez to complete the 25 looks that I presented. Monica created taffeta flats and high-heeled platforms, while Noreen made the hammered brass buckles, breast plates and back braces,” he says. He concludes: “Thus far, both fashion editors and clients have given positive feedback regarding these pieces. I find it all truly gratifying because it is vital proof that timeless elegance, my mode mantra, is a mantra they believe. And because they believe, then my philosophy will endure.”
Photography by HANNA BACALLA • Model: KRIS JANSON (Ad Models) • Makeup by GARI SON • Accessories by NOREEN TSENG • Shoes by MONICA FIG
