Pinoy Designer's Creation Graces US Magazine

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

Anna Paquin in a cocktail dress by Orani, Bataan-native designer, Oliver Tolentino (Photo by Zooey magazine/Derek Wood as seen on Oliver Tolentino's Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines Filipino designer Oliver Tolentinos creation a pink wool linen cocktail dress with peplum was worn by True Blood star Anna Paquin in one of the alternate covers for this months issue of indie-mod American magazine, Zooey.

Paquin appears as Sookie Stackhouse in that HBO series, and has also played lead roles in films such as X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), and the critically-acclaimed drama, The Piano (1993).

According to a taped report aired on Umagang Kay Ganda, the multi award-winning actress herself selected the pink dress that, as mentioned in an item on the designers official Facebook fan page, can be seen in the magazines page three.

Bihira talaga sa mga upcoming designers na katulad namin ang talagang ginagamit ang damit namin ng mga A-list actresses. So when they said that Anna Paquin wore my cocktail dress, tuwang-tuwa ako, the Orani, Bataan-native designer said.

Just last February, Hollywood singer-actress Emmy Rossum wore another Tolentino creation a yellow 1950s daffodil eco dress made of pia and abaca fibers at the Global Green USA's 9th Annual Pre-Oscar Party. It ended up being selected as The New York Posts Look of the Week and will be featured on InSTYLE magazines June issue.

Meanwhile, an article on The Barbados Advocates website posted May 4 reported that the Los Angeles-ba! sed Tole ntino presented a 53-piece eco-friendly couture collection modeled by Tutay Maristela during the second day of the Barbados Fashion Week held from April 26-28.

Ang Barbados is known for tourism, so ngayon nilo-launch nila ang fashion [doon] and nag-iimbita sila ng mga international designers para maging inspirasyon kami sa mga local designers, Tolentino said in the same UKG report.

Over the last year alone, Tolentinos works have been worn on the red carpets of some of Hollywoods most prestigious events such the Oscars, the Golden Globes, the Primetime Emmys, and the Grammys. Aside from Paquin and Rossum, Tolentino was able to dress singer Cee-Lo Green, Gossip Girl actress Michelle Trachtenberg, E! News host Guiliana Rancic, actress Maggie Grace, Grammy-nominated singer Kelly Price, and professional dancer Karina Smirnoff, among others.

His designs have also been featured on the hit US TV series Americas Next Top Model cycles 17 and 18.

Tolentino is reportedly working on his fall and winter collection.

AttachmentSizeAnna Paquin in a cocktail dress by Orani, Bataan-native designer, Oliver Tolentino (Photo by Zooey magazine/Derek Wood as seen on Oliver Tolentino's Facebook page)9.79 KB