Fashion designer: 5 Dubai based Filipino fashion designers that your need to know

5 Dubai based Filipino fashion designers that your need to know: Filipino designers have used the Emirates as a springboard to fame in international circles. In todays fashion industry , Dubai based #Filipino#Fashion designers are making waves around the fashion world from Hollywood to Philippines to showbiz and to beauty pageant., who don’t know this people. 1 Michael Cinco. ,a soft-spoken fashion designer who hails from Samar, Philippines, first made waves in #Hollywood when Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara wore his sexy beaded black gown in last January's Golden Globes. The voluptuous actress landed on the best-dressed lists of most of the fashion critics and on the covers of #magazines while wearing Michael Cinco’s stunning creation. Unknown to many, the 42-year-old designer is no stranger to dressing Hollywood celebrities since he has already dressed Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Lopez, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Chris Brown, Fergie, Paris Hilton, Dita Von Teese, Mischa Barton and Nicole Scherzinger, to name a few. When you see a Michael Cinco gown, you immediately recognize the artistry, attention to detail and hard work that he dedicates on every gown or dress. The first time we saw Michael in action was when he had his first fashion show in Los Angeles at Vibiana in Downtown L.A. during L.A. Fashion Week. He made such an impression that most fashion critics described his work as “dramatic,” “original” and “breathtaking.” Even his colleague, first Filipino Oscar Designer Challenge finalist, Alan Del Rosario, takes his hat off to Michael. “I have always admired Michael’s work and I am really impressed with his designs,” Alan said. Michael already has had shows in Miami, New York, London, Dubai and #Manila. Wearing his signature dark sunglasses, Michael admitted that he makes it a point to go to Manila every year to participate in the Philippine Fashion Week. “ You can also check video about Michael Cinco release by IN Magazine. 2. Fernando Barrios, popularly known as Furne One , is a Filipino fashion designer also based in Dubai. He was named “Asian Couturier Extraordinaire” by the #Asian #Couture Federation. His high-end fashion designs are known for their exquisitely intricate hand stitching and beadwork. In 1994, Furne got his big break when he joined the 1st Mega Magazine Young Designers Competition. He bagged the first prize, a trip to Paris and New York. Josie Natori, a well-known Filipina fashion designer and founder of New York-based The Natori Company, was one of the judges. She was really impressed with Furne's work that she asked him to work for her. Furne trained in Paris and went to New York to work as an apprentice in The Natori Company. He disclosed that Natori became his mentor and friend. In the same year, Furne scooped the first prize at Japan's Women's Wear Awards. Three years later, he went on to become a finalist at Manila's Fashion Designer Awards. A friend called him to tell him to try Dubai. He liked Dubai as there are a lot of opportunities and a lot to learn there. In Dubai, Furne worked for a company designing clothes for wealthy Arab women. In 2002, he opened his own atelier, Furne Amato meaning “beloved”) Couture. With Rashid Ali as the managing director, the boutique provides elite clientele with unrivaled array of hand stitched and intricately detailed creations. In 2007, Swarovski commissioned Furne to design a bridal dress. His design was featured in their limited edition book, Unbridaled. Furne has since partnered with the brand to produce shows for its Crystalised Swarovski Elements events. In 2008, he was invited to be a special guest designer in the season finale of Germany's Next Top Model with supermodel Heidi Klum. He has been collaborating with the show for the past seven years. It rocketed Furne One and Amato Couture onto the international fashion center stage. In 2012, Amato Couture opened the brand's boutique in Los Angeles. In March 2014, Furne closed the Los Angeles Fashion Week. The opening and closing spots are always the most coveted positions in the lineup. He showcased a 24-piece collection called “Victoria Geisha” collection. He said that he was inspired by the geishas in Tokyo, Japan where he went for a vacation. He envisioned the total look and designed not only the dress but also the accessories and shoes. Furne has dressed up Hollywood celebrities like Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Heidi Klum, Nicole Scherzinger, Amber Rose, and Nicki Minaj among others. He is a regular on the catwalk at international fashion weeks of London, Dubai, Los Angeles, and Miami. Furne has been inducted into the Asian Couture Federation (ACF). It is an elite organization which aims to inspire, support, and promote Asia-based fashion design artistry to the Asian and global markets. Its members represent the best of Asia's fashion design talent and culture. In 2015, Furne was named “Asian Couturier Extraordinaire” by the ACF. The title is the highest level of membership in the organization. His creations were worn by Carrie Underwood during the opening show of Super Bowl 2015. Beyonce wore Amato's Cape at the 57th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. 3. Ezra Santos The Manila-born designer comes full circle as he shares with his compatriots the qualities that make him one of the major proponents in the recognition and advancement of Filipino talents in the international fashion arena. EZRA has always been fascinated by fashion at an early age. He was fond of watching the black and white movies and the couture dresses of the 40’s – 50’s gave him so much inspiration. He always observes #woman around him, look at how they dress and what they wear and started sketching designs at a very early age during his grade school year. Right after high school, EZRA decided to take Fine Arts at the Philippine Women’s University. Thereafter, he took up a Fashion Design course at Slim’s Fashion and Arts School. After a very brief stint in Manila, the young designer found himself in Saudi Arabia – the lure of a great career and the possibility to widen his horizons beckoned. And it wasn't long before the discerning Arab women-clientele took notice and embraced his style mantra. It was in the early 90's when he was offered to join one of the leading fashion houses in Dubai. He continued where he left off in his last turf and thrived even more as he enthralled an even bigger, more illustrious clientele base. He likewise joined design competitions in the region and single-handedly won plaudits for the fashion house. For more than a decade he consistently made a mark and established his renown as synonymous to elegance and all things beautiful. But not one to rest on his laurels, he subsequently took a leave of absence and satiated his thirst for even more knowledge as he embarked on further studies at the Central St. Martin's in London. He took an extensive graduate course in Cutting and Draping and finished with distinction. Then eventually, back in Dubai, revitalized and overflowing with inspiration, he decided it was about time he starts on his own. And so, in 2004 Ezra Santos finally took the plunge and hasn’t looked back since. Armed with true grit, sheer talent and the conviction of making his own mark in the global fashion industry, he opened his own atelier in Wasl Road off Jumeirah Beach Road in Dubai, UAE. For ten years now, and growing strong as ever, he creates haute couture masterpieces that are at par or even surpassing his contemporaries in the international fashion arena, in terms of quality, silhouette, cut, adornments and meticulous attention to details. 4. Albert Andrada 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 #RoyalFamily 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 #galafashion 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.” He design the winning gown of Pia Wutcback and #Barong during asean summit in 2015. 5. Val Taguba , the designer behind Maja Salvador's black bridal gown Val Taguba is among the powerhouse Dubai-based Filipino designers like Michael Cinco, Val is also popular among international and local wedding for both his beautiful and bedazzled couture. He has dressed Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, Liza Soberano, Andrea Brillantes, Janella Salvador, Yllona Garcia and Donna Cruz. Taguba is the designer behind Kim Chui's 10th Anniversary concert gown and her Hollywood inspired outfit for the Star Magic Ball 2016.He designed two of LJ Lastimosa's Bb. Pilipinas 2016 gown. He also designed Angel Locsin's black #mermaid #gown for the finale of Pilipinas Got Talent. And even Miss #Universe 2017 Rachel Peters' evening gown for the #BbPilipinas2017 and #MissUniverse2017.