Young Fil-Canadian breaks into mainstream fashion scene

Young Fil-Canadian breaks into mainstream fashion scene

By Mila Astorga-Garcia

TORONTO–A young Filipino-Canadian designer has made his mark in Toronto’s mainstream fashion circles with the successful runway presentation of his own brand of unique male fashion designs.

PATRICK SALONGA (PHOTO: CHE ROSALES)

Patrick Salonga presented his men’s wear collection on Feb. 27 during the Toronto Men’s Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2015 Day 3 Runway Show, an event that attracted a number of Toronto’s fashion personalities and mainstream fashion media.

It was Salonga’s second major breakthrough into Toronto’s professional fashion scene, the first was when he was selected as one of five finalists for Emerging Men’s Designer Award (EmDA) at the launch of Toronto Men’s Fashion Week in 2014.

Salonga’s much applauded collection featured beige and brown shades tunic wear, among others, many of them passing for unisex ensembles. His daringly unconventional designs represent the story of a “time traveler that fell into a time lapse where different time periods collide into one (Roman, Greek, Egyptian, and the 21st century).” Fashion blogger Meaghan Elizabeth wore her Patrick Salonga tunic that day, and even proudly wrote about it in her trending blog (Fashion Savage).

Patrick Salonga on the ramp. (5 PHOTOS: JACOB LAIRD)

A graduate of Toronto’s Academy of Design, Salonga, even as a student, was already making a name as a very promising designer. His collaborative team won the coveted grand prize of Creative Catwalk competition; and he was semi-finalist for Telio’s 2014 Canada’s Breakthrough Designer and won the most creative collection award for his graduation collection.

Salonga has been fortunate to intern with top Toronto designer, Greta Constantine, and has been involved with numerous projects during his internship: s/s 2013 runway show, a/w 2014 ready-to-wear launch party and recently Greta Constantine’s s/s 2014 launch party.

The Philippine Reporter caught up with Salonga for a brief exclusive interview with the very unassuming designer, about his recent fashion breakthrough:

TPR: How do you feel having just successfully completed the Feb. 27 runway presentation of Patrick Salonga men’s fashion wear, now already seemingly a brand name to covet?  How significantly different was this show from the TOM* showcase of emerging fashion designers last year?

PS: It is very exciting but at times scary. A couple of months ago, I was a contestant for a competition where I made it as one of the five finalists in EMDA (Emerging Designers Award). I was representing my own brand, and the experience was pretty overwhelming. I didn’t win the EMDA, so at the back of my head, while I was preparing for the recent TOM* Fashion Week show, sometimes there was this discouraging voice telling me that no one will ever show up for my event. However, I just had to keep fighting to push through, and to make it happen, with the help of my supportive team. And we did. And it was how we planned everything to be.

TPR: Do you reflect your Filipino culture at all in your creations, both in content and style?

PS: Always! I was born and raised in Manila and the street style in Manila isn’t only relevant; it’s very advanced. And that is where I take inspiration when it comes to my eccentric silhouettes.

TPR: TYou have gone a long way in such a short time from the fashion student determined to make a mark in the Toronto fashion world, to some kind of an emerging icon for aspiring designers.  What is the secret to your success?
PS: It sounds very cliché but its all perseverance and hard work. Also I have learned from an amazing designer Dianne Von Furstenburg, that you don’t have to be a b**ch to make it.

TPR: Where do you work now?  Are you working as a fashion entrepreneur?

PS: I work for myself with a very small team.

TPR: What next?  Are we going to see the Patrick Salonga brand soon in Toronto’s fashion stores?  Is there another show in the horizon?  Any interesting/exciting feedback from the fashion world that we should know?

PS: A lot of amazing things are happening! We aren’t going to be in any retailers just yet, but our site is under construction for a shopping cart option. And yes, there will be more shows to come!! Feedback-wise, thanks to TOM*, we have been featured in GQ Brazil, Huffington Post, and Dress to Kill magazine.

Patrick Salonga (right) with Meaghan Elizabeth of Fashion Savage. (Photo courtesy of Fashion Savage blogsite)