CIRCUIT

ANAK KA NG JUETENG!

BAGGING FASHION GLORY

Below is my interview with bag designer Paul Herrera for my J195 (Lifestyle Reporting) under Prof. Rachel Khan.

Louis V. and Prada just might pack their bags with this resounding young designer around, because for him designing is not just art, it is a battle, and he has come to win.

Paul Herrera is known as the accessory-designing half of the Herrera tandem along with his couture designer twin John. Though five minutes younger than his brother, Paul is no infant in the world of fashion.

As early as five years of age, Paul knew he was inclined in the arts. He would watch beauty pageants and spend summers with his brother sketching designs of national costumes, long gowns and swimsuits for candidates of different countries. “We always competed pa for our other sibling’s favor,” he said.

Paul initially took computer science in college, but transferred to theater arts at the University of the Philippines to pursue his artistic hunger. Doing all those costumes and set designs made him realize that his passion is in fashion.

After receiving his certificate, he worked as a design assistant for international bag designer Bea Valdes for a year. Not contented with just learning how to design bags, he enrolled at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. “Somehow I knew that learning women’s patterns would aid me in making exceptional patterns for bags, I was right.”

Designing accessories came from his interest in books, especially Japanese do-it-yourself manuals. “Arts and crafts books to be exact. So wala masyadong ‘reading’, it was more of skimming through diagrams and projects, and I would do them at our studio,” he said.

But his biggest break came in 2007 after winning both the prestigious Philippine Young Designer’s Competition and bagging Metro Magazine’s Best Design for Accessories. “After that, I just kept going, kept doing my stuff. [I] made a commitment to do bags and accessories only to introduce myself to my target market,” and he kept on going from there on.

Just last May, Paul was able to put together his very first solo fashion show during the Philippine Fashion Week. Paul who is usually commissioned by other designers—his twin included—for show collaborations, was able to show what a Paul Herrera collection means. “The relationship between making something that stands out because of its beauty and beauty that lasts is what Paul Herrera bags are all about.”

His Vertigo design, a black and white day shopper, easily sells every week. For Paul, the handling of his bags is probably one of its stronger selling points. “It’s easy to make a beautiful bag, but one that you can clean, wash and use repeatedly is not. It’s a serious concern for a designer,” he added

His designs are mostly inspired by nature and unlike his twin’s muted inspirations, he provides drama and movement. Studded acrylic beads fill his visually stimulating night bags with patterns of rosettes and stylized leaves. His day bags on the other hand will definitely liven up your day with their bright hues and striking patterns.

Working with his brother however is a symbiosis that will not end anytime soon. Just last July 30, Paul provided old Hollywood glamor themed hats for his brother’s Metrowear show. “My twin and I share a mutual respect for each other’s designs. We are very different but the combination of our styles usually rakes in good reviews from our clients and friends in the industry,” he said.

Paul has always considered John as his ever-present support system and inspiration: “The sweetest client when he wants something done, the meanest critic when my stuff don’t appeal to him.” But through everything that they do, John is a kind brother, a confidant and a friend. “It would be a boring life if we not only look alike but think alike as well,” Paul added.

Now a distinguished faculty member of the Fashion Institute of the Philippines, along with his brother, Paul inspires the next generation of fashion designers as he himself continues to do what he does best. He describes the fashion industry as tough and serious, “The next-big-thing happens every season. Fashion has escalated from being an artistic field to a lucrative marketing and advertising field,” he added.

“The stigma of [the] attractive designer, one’s own muse, is at high priority. The designer, now more than ever, is a product to be sold. And it’s amazing,”

For Paul what is important for now is that he is finally recognized in the industry, “Because you know that all the years you put into schooling, and training yourself to be a part of the fashion industry is finally paying off.”

The battle is far from over but Paul’s future as a designer is as colorful as the bags he designs. “For my brand, I want a high end perfume (laughs), leather bags [that are] 100% leather. A bag design school. Plans, I’ve got lots of those.”

LA SUPER LAST SUPPER!

Bureaucrazy.

I won’t be surprised if one of these days a person would run amok because of the craziness of our bureaucratic system. The system is filled with so much red tape, I’m surprised our government buildings are not colored red. The system is so slow, I’m surprised a wormhole in the fabric of time hadn’t opened up and swallowed them yet.

Left: the film's protagonist C: his hunky assistant R: one of the Last Suppers being considered for a corned beef advertisement

Last night I was able to watch the Cinemalaya 5’s Best Picture: the comedic tale of Last Supper No. 3. I would like to place emphasis on how other universities suck, because UP unlike them, has again sponsored the re-showing of these year’s Cinemalaya entries. Hurrah for liberal education! Hurrah for freedom of the UP Film Institute! Hurrah for me being a UP student! Sucks to be you other university students!

Anyway.

Last Supper No. 3 is about the riveting tale of a gay production assistant who loses a measly Last Supper tapestry and the series of unfortunate bureaucratic events which escalated after that. The comic attack of the film on one of the biggest problems of our country is effective and will indeed send you in a laughing fit. But after laughing so hard from all the Murphy’s Law (everything that can go wrong, WILL go wrong) action that is happening in the screen, the movie will make you think: why do we even have this sort of problem?

The bone of contention: Last Supper No.3

The bureaucracy is supposed to bring order by presenting a system which works and functions for the convenience of the people. But oftentimes this is not the case. Long lines, frustrating employees, dilapidated structures, fucked-up justice system, no wonder people are not fans of the prospect of entering a government building.

For what it is worth, the film deserves to win for one important aspect: it provides a refreshing take on an important but already mundanely-perceived subject. Plus Maricel Soriano and Ricky Davao made cameos. Plus it is far better than the dizzying darkness of Engkwentro.

By the way it is based on a true story.

Literally.

WE’RE FULLY BOOKED!

KNOW YOUR PLACE IN MEDIA!

ROOM FOR ONE?

HOT ENOUGH FOR YOU?