The right of reply

“The right of reply is the right to defend oneself against criticism. In Europe there have been proposals to enshrine the principle in law that there is a legally enforceable right of reply that applies to all media, including newspapers, magazines, and other print media, along with radio, television, and the Internet.” —Wikipedia

In response to last week’s coverage of Mega magazine’s Young Designer’s Competition or YDC, non-winning contestant Karlo Vicente has asked me to air his side of what led to his “creative outburst” backstage.

Only 24 years old, Karlo works as assistant stylist as well as production and studio manager for an irascible fashion designer, and works freelance for an events company.

PHILIPPINE STAR: What made you decide to join YDC?

KARLO VICENTE: We were just hanging out at the studio when we saw a blog saying there was YDC again. The concept was cultural transformation and they needed an essay for it. Since I am trained in sociology, I tried it out. I submitted on the deadline exactly at 5 p.m. I thought I wasn’t going to make it but after a few days I got a call back for an interview, with mood board with swatches. After that I got a call again and got in.

Describe your design process.

I do flat patterns. I very rarely drape. I’m not really into rendering. But if it’s in my mind, I know how to translate it into pattern and fabric. I don’t really have sewing skills; I need help for that. I’m more of a pattern maker.

What was your collection about?

“Fasians” is basically a conjunction of two words: fake Asians. I was inspired by a group of New York hipsters, who have a blog (http://sixsixsick.blogspot.com/). They throw parties and wear the same stuff.

I used elements of traditional Asian culture, like ultra-soft Thai cotton that I frayed and knotted. The shoes were inspired by the bakya, pero platform. I used 369 inches of ultra-soft Thai cotton that I sewed as piping and braided. I asked someone to create platform soles with drilled holes para doon pumasok yung straps.

There were allegations that you were three hours late for meetings or fittings. What can you say about that?

It’s not true. I admit I was late once but only for 10 minutes. Two other people arrived much later than me.

What happened backstage? Did you throw a fit and did you yell?

I threw a fit because my hairstylist was super late. He came in at 4 p.m. and didn’t do his job. He didn’t follow my hair peg and he was only there for less than an hour I think.

I was promised hair extensions for one of the models (Bianca Valerio) who has short hair. But they did not bring it. They said I should have been the one to buy it. Two of the models offered to buy for me but I said no, that’s the sponsor’s job.

I did not really yell but when you’re stressed out lumalakas ang boses mo. But I had a reason why I threw a fit, and you know what? They didn’t even follow my look peg. My models had to fix their own makeup. Tapos it was like 30 minutes before the show.

Did you yell at director Jackie Aquino?

No, I didn’t. But I apologized for my fit. It’s my first show. When I was doing the collection I was sleeping only from 7 to 11 a.m. and then I had to go back to work, to my day job.

Did you apologize to anybody?

Only to Jackie and some girl from QTV (who was covering the event) who said, “I totally get you. They promised you and they didn’t do their part of the deal.”

Do you think you deserved to win the contest? How did you feel when you didn’t?

To tell you honestly, I think I deserved to win because I was the only one who was able to translate the theme into the clothes. Actually it was fine. I did not join for the trophy or cash. It’s my first show. Imagine, I got into the top eight without formal training.

During the prejudging the designers really liked my clothes. Mich Dulce wanted to buy them. Patrice Diaz inquired about ordering. I really worked hard for it. I even brought the patterns to show that though the clothes look simple, they are super hard to make. The mini dress pattern is so big and circular it won’t even fit on the floor.

What about the rumors that your mentor did your collection?

He didn’t do the collection. I did all the patterns. I cut all the fabric. I came up with the concept. All he did was fix the lining of the jacket.

Do you think what happened backstage influenced the outcome and do you have any regrets?

Yes, I think it did. And I found out why my hair guy left early because someone told me that he did the hair of the Mega employees kaya hindi niya tinapos ang hair ko.

But I have no regrets about throwing a fit because I know that some people didn’t do their jobs.

What have you learned from this exercise?

Na maging mas makulit. To always check if people are doing their jobs and if they are efficient. They asked for pegs weeks before pa. But they didn’t do part of their deal.

With everything that happened I learned not to care what people say about me. Fashion is not about attitude, it’s about the clothes.

So what’s next for Karlo Vicente?

I’m still going to continue my job and start putting up my factory hopefully. I’m crossing my fingers to produce stuff for a Singporean label. Sana matuloy na ito.