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Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Iloilo's pride, Manila's gain
By Kathy Villalon Cinco
"ILOILO is filled with fashion designers who have the ability to compete in both national and international scenes," an internationally acclaimed designer once said.
This holds true for an Ilonggo who has made it big in Manila-Louis Rodolfo Jose Magalona Claparols or Louie Claparols, for short.
Born in May 19, 1974, Louie is the son of businessman Rodolfo Claparols and Ma. Luisa Magalona. He spent his elementary days at the Assumption Convention Iloilo, high school at Angelicum School and college at the University of San Agustin.
He started designing clothes in his teenage years. "As far as I can remember, it started way back in high school. The designs were inspired by someone or something. I also designed prom dresses for my classmates," he said.
Adventure
In October 1997, Louie moved to Manila with two friends. "We wanted to have a little adventure. It took sometime for my father to allow me to go. When he realized what I wanted wasn't in Iloilo, he gave me his blessing. And so the adventure begins."
"When I got there I really didn't know where to find a job. I applied for office jobs but somehow I realized I wouldn't be happy working behind a desk eight hours a day, and I can't do field work because I really don't enjoy walking under the sun with a necktie on."
And finally, one day, while at the mall, I found the job I really wanted. "I worked for Emporio Armani, the younger line of Giorgio Armani."
And through the years, Louie moved from one label to another. "I have worked with Warner Bros. Studio Store. I was also a cashier, then sales supervisor in Hugo Boss. I even worked as display artist for Wish, a high-end boutique which carried the top women's shoe labels in the world-Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo and Sergio Rossi."
Besides working in the stores, Louie also had other jobs, like working as sales executive for a wine company and staff of a production company that did shoots for magazines.
Louie's designs
Louie has been designing for quite sometime now. "But it's a thing I do on the side because I have a full-time job. Right now I'm assistant manager of Paul Smith, a British designer label. My work is basically helping run the store, helping out with the inventory, merchandising etc. We have two stores in the country. We have one in Glorietta 4 Makati City where I am based and a bigger store in Shangri-la Plaza Edsa, along Shaw Boulevard which carries both men's and women's lines."
One of Louie's achievements was being a finalist in the Design Competition for Paris in 1999, together with fellow Ilonggo designer Bo Parcon. Preview Magazine also named him one of the top ten custom makers in its September 2003 issue. The magazine spotted his creations on L'Oreal's Celine Gabriel and Angelique Villarza during the Shu Uemura launch. The intricate beadwork and silhouette didn't escape their attention. "Claparols transforms your run-on-the-mill top or your oldest pair of jeans into fab pieces with simple patchwork, beadwork recreations of flora and fauna, and enormous organza appliqués," according to the magazine.
"My style borders on fun and funky," Louie said. He also admits that what he does now is his dream job, saying that he is a child of fashion. He also has a small RTW line basically consisting of embellished stuff. His work is available at Souk (Level 2 Crescent Bldg, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center). "What you'll find there are my beaded cotton tank tops and my tribute to Imelda Marcos Tops."
The beginning of 2004 officially marked his first year as a design artist. "I am happy to have my work worn by Tessa Prieto, Celine Lopez, Shu Uemura's prized make-up artist Xeng Zulueta and Leica Carpo. Angel Jacob also modeled my deconstructed denim jacket. I also saw Daphne Oseña wearing my beaded top in one of the episodes of "F." Some of my clothes were worn in the movie "My First Romance."
Model Alex Escat is also wearing his lilac beaded jacket on the cover of Preview Jan-Feb 2004 edition.
Imelda stuff
Louie's most prized creation is the Imelda Marcos Postman bag. "It's made of denim, and Imelda is painted in front and her gown is intricately beaded. I made it for myself, and wherever I go, people would ask where I got it. Then, one day I got a call that a woman living abroad wanted it."
"I didn't want to let go of it, but I finally did. She also bought some of my Imelda stuff. I found out later that the woman was Ramona Diaz, a documentary film-maker abroad."
"She produced a documentary titled "Imelda," and my work was part of her exhibit when she premiered the film in Amsterdam. The film won for Best Cinematography in the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. I'm really happy to be part of something big."
"I like Imelda. I'm always amazed by her and it's only once in your life that you can see a woman so beautiful, intelligent and powerful. I have considered her as my icon of glamour and draw a lot of inspiration from her images. I have acquired a lot of old photographs, books and memorabilia during the Marcos era. Actually, last night, at the wake of Joe Salazar, she passed by right in front of me. She took my breath away--a goddess standing right in front of me made my heart stop."
Louie has some designs for summer. "What I have right now are beaded candy colored tee's. Next month, I will have sheer tops with exaggerated embellishments and my denim accessories, like cuffs, bib necklaces and chokers all made of denim with my signature beadworks."
Influence
Despite his signature creations, Louie said he is still in the stage where he is being influenced by the fashion industry. "It would take very long time for me to do the influencing. But I try to stay ahead of the curve by not being too trendy."
Speaking of influence, he believes those worthy to be considered influential in the fashion industry are Marc Jacobs, Miuccia Prada, Gywneth Paltrow, Phoebe Philo, Madonna, Tom Ford, Anna Wintour, Patricia Fields, Stella Mcartney, Karl Lagerfeld, and Sarah Jessica Parker as "Carrie Bradshaw."
When asked what fashion he dislikes, "Those bellbottoms, platform shoes and crop tops should be burned. Girls should try to experiment on a more feminine and classier side."
Louie believes that Ilonggo designers can compete too. "Anyone who believes in himself can make it."
(February 24, 2004 issue)
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