True romance
WHIPPER SNAPPER By Francesca Ayala
The Philippine STAR 02/16/2007

Fashion loves to fall in love," writes Jamie Huckbody. "An eternal romantic, it cheats on those who give it stability, dumps its latest fling every six months, and falls head over heels with the newest talent."

Lately it seems that everyone’s been infatuated with two avant-garde sophisticates in the design world: Geoff Gonzales and Mike Lavarez. Although both of them are only 19 years old, the two Visual Communications students (at UP) have had ample opportunity to flex their proverbial fashion muscle in the most unconventional and innovative ways. Mentored by I Love You’s Mimi Sanson, Corinne Ching and Sharon Atillo, the two ingénues have been making serious noise, now starting to resonate past the underground and into the world of Philippine high fashion. Geoff’s and Mike’s edgy and elegant creations have quickly become smoldering-hot items, coveted by the country’s young fashion elite. Their undeniable love for fashion and unquestionable talent are slated to help avant-garde fashion make its earth-shattering stiletto mark on the country. It’s hard to believe they’re both so young. The two designers speak with a wisdom and worldview that reach far beyond their years and carry themselves with the same grace and discipline as veterans in the industry.

"A few years before entering high school, a cousin showed me pictures of avant-garde clothes that inspired me to start sketching," says Mike, "From then on, I never stopped until the clothes came to life."

"Fashion is a very powerful art movement which shapes culture and perception of beauty by the second," says Geoff, "It’s a venue where I can express myself with no bias. It’s a mixture of art and craft, which entails discipline. This dome of creativity pushes me to do things I have never before dreamt of creating or experiencing."

Geoff and Mike are the perfect juxtaposition of complementary styles. Both designers have a very distinct and unique approach to their pieces, which speak with an uncompromising beauty that willfully stands out among cookie-cutter trends. Mike loves the female form and prefers to work with soft and light fabrics like chiffon, to reflect the essence of a woman. Geoff’s pieces are very conceptual and he likes to play with volume and proportion by enhancing certain body parts.

"I always try to challenge what’s out there to find new ways of dressing up," says Geoff, "Somehow, I am a purist when it comes to my own style. I’ve just found out that I am always attracted to experimenting on texture rather than color. I love weird silhouettes. It’s just the thought of attacking the establishment and confronting conventions to search for real freedom and find new ways to interpret and express."

"The archetype (for the ideal person to wear my clothes) is the gypsy," says Mike. "Someone who is confident and always wants to be seen; someone deviant who thinks differently from the others. Definitely someone who wants to stand out."

"I must say, people wearing my pieces are quite courageous," Geoff adds. "These people are revolutionaries. They understand my aim to defamiliarize, reestablish and reinterpret everything."

The romantic renegades have come a long way from when they first declared their love for fashion. For Geoff it was when he accidentally stumbled upon a Victoria’s Secret fashion show in Cannes. Mike drew his inspiration from his grandmother, who taught him how to sew.

"Nowadays, I get inspiration from anything non-fashion," Geoff says. "It’s quite difficult in the beginning but the effects are astounding. I get inspiration in a more conceptual way rather than aesthetic. From that concept, I decide what mood or emotion I want to focus on and all other elements of design follow."

"The main thing that drives me is passion and the next are my mom and sis," Mike says. "I get inspiration from things that intrigue me and make my mind curious, as someone driven by art. Right now, I’m into baroque-inspired details and geometrical patchwork. I love to mix opposite design aspects."

These days, the boys manage to work (and play) at an unbelievably fast pace. "It’s just crazy how we fit everything in a day’s schedule!" Mike says. Their mornings are spent attending classes and their afternoons at the I Love You store are for fittings with clients or working on new pieces. Occasionally, they make an appearance at their favorite nighttime haunts and are always present at Manila’s fabulous fashion events. Together, their work exudes the duality of today’s modern woman; she is traditional and experimental, mysterious and transparent, frivolous and serious.

"Today’s modern woman is really courageous yet still humble deep down," Geoff says. "She’s always running around finishing the most modest of errands but never goes out looking mediocre. There should always be something in her outfit that constricts her, so she’ll always feel glamorous even during rough times."

The two designers feel that Philippine fashion is more than ready to transcend the local market and tap the international demographic. Geoff and Mike’s love for fashion extends past their desire to create things that are aesthetically pleasing and conceptually challenging; their passion stems from a genuine belief in the talents of the Filipino. The duo strongly feel that the future’s got a lot in store for the Philippines, especially the fashion industry.

"Iba talaga ang Pinoy!" Geoff exclaims, "Local fashion has the mentality that can really compete in the international arena. It has huge potential. The Filipino’s personality is very expressive — what more the underground crowd — and that’s what the international market thirsts for."

"The Philippines is gifted with creative and innovative people," Mike says. "It’s a good thing that most local designers nowadays do not conform to whatever the trend is abroad. I would love to see the Philippines as a fashion capital where everyone’s baros are made with local fabric... then all the other fashion capitals are going to ask us to export our stuff! It’s about time we grab everyone’s attention; it’s about time we let them know that we are a people of individual style and that we are independent, fashion-wise."

Despite all the hype, the two are handling their success with utmost modesty and humilty, gracefully standing out in an industry that isn’t always a pretty place. They hold their peers and contemporaries in very high regard and speak of their mentors with genuine pride and admiration.

"I admire Yvonne Quisumbing-Romulo for her use of detail and Ivarluski Aseron for his unique style of crafting," Mike says. "I look up to Mimi Sanson not only (because) she has taught us discipline and has inspired us to pursue but also because she has always believed in what we have. I have been very blessed to part of the (I Love You) family."

It’s true, Geoff Gonzales and Mike Lavarez are just beginning to win over the fashion world. But it should go without saying that they have worked tirelessly to get to where they are, with their heads out of the clouds, their feet on the ground and their eyes aimed right at the heavens.

It makes you fall madly in love with them all over again.