Aloysius embroidered piña collection at NY Fashion Week
WATCH: Aloysius Collection, New York Fashion Week
NEW YORK CITY – Joseph Aloysius Montelibano started out as a receptionist at the upscale Warren Tricomi hair salon in 1999, became a public relations executive and then a fashion merchandiser for Sposabella Lace and Giorgio Armani. Then he listened to his inner voice and triumphed as a finalist in Project Runway Philippines in 2011.
“After 11 years here [in New York], I decided I really wanted to do something that I’ve been wanting to do all my life, which is to design clothes. I figured I should do something different, then I found out everything here is made in China and the Philippines. I am from the Philippines, so I should go home and make myself represented.” That was in 2010.
He launched the Aloysius brand using indigenous handwoven fabrics for high-profile personalities in society and the entertainment and music industries.
Aloysius’ first major break was in London 2015 where he featured the intricate art of handweaving from the mountain lakeside village of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. His fashion journey moved on to the different regions of the Philippines.
New York Fashion Week kicks off with a runway show presenting the Calado spring-summer collection of Joseph Aloysius (center standing next to the host Ambassador Mario De Leon Jr. (fifth from left) at the Philippine Center, Fifth Avenue, New York. BOYET LOVERITA
For New York Fashion Week, Aloysius unveiled his spring-summer collection made of traditional pina fabric from Taal, Batangas.
ALOYSIUS ss.2017 collection consists of ethereal pieces of separates, cocktail dresses and the lightest-weight evening and wedding gowns. Aloysius introduces neoprene corset interiors, net and satin fabrics draped and hand-stitched in Calado embroidered pineapple fabric, known as pina. “These are trend-proof designs that every girl in the world will want to have,” Aloysius describes his organic designs.
Aloysius cites the ease of setting up a show in New York because of his working knowledge of the fashion industry and experience in public relations.
Inspired by the romantic Rizalian mid-1800s in the Philippines, he is trying to reinvigorate the dying Calado lace embroidery in the town of Taal, and take it to the global fashion stage.
Aloysius’ Calado collection debuts at New York Fashion Week, at Philippine Center, Fifth Avenue, NYC. PORSHA SEECHUNG PHOTOS
Aloysius has initiated the revival of Calado hand-embroidered elective courses in public schools nationwide and production workshops for private sectors worldwide. He has pledged a percentage of all Aloysius Calado clothing sales for the project and he will carry out fundraising events.
Coming up soon is a showcase at the International Bridal fair in New York City, October 8-10, 2016, and the Northeast India Fashion Week in January 2017. His store outlets will be announced soon.
Joseph Aloysius thanked his former employers in New York who attended the event and his friend and guest model Rachel Grant, better known as a James Bond girl.
