America's Next Top Model: All-Stars contestants wear Oliver Tolentino

America's Next Top Model: All-Stars contestants wear Oliver Tolentino



(SPOT.ph) From dressing Glee star Amber Riley for the Golden Globes and whipping up crazy costumes for "Forget You" singer Cee Lo Green to wear in his "I Want You" music video, Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino has moved on to his latest venture: Tyra Banks' America’s Next Top Model: All-Stars. Tolentino's evening gowns and cocktail dresses debuted in the hit reality show's makeover episode, where seven contestants wore his creations for a shoot.
Known for incorporating indigenous materials like piña and abaca in his designs, Tolentino was also the first Filipino to show last year at the Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas, where he won the Sustainable Eco Fashion Award. This March, Tolentino headlined the El Paseo Fashion Week in Palm Springs, California, where he was deemed “Designer of the Week.” Tolentino’s 68-piece set wowed the crowd enough for him to receive a standing ovation.
Tolentino is the second Filipino designer to be featured on America’s Next Top Model, after Dubai-based Michael Cinco in Cycle 16. He took a few moments to chat with SPOT.ph about his ANTM stint:

How did Tyra Banks approach you for the dresses to be featured in ANTM? Did they ask for anything specific?
The stylist from ANTM came to my Melrose Avenue boutique and asked to pull dresses for their show.  They asked for cocktail dresses and evening gowns.

How many of the dresses featured used abaca and piña cloth?
I was flattered that they dressed seven of the 13 ANTM All-Stars in my outfits.  The salmon cocktail and red cocktail dresses are made from piña and the purple cocktail dress’ skirt is made from abaca and piña.  Without spoiling the surprise, one of my dresses was worn by the winning model for that week's challenge.

You've dressed up celebrities like Sophia Bush and you've been tapped to make costumes for Cee Lo, among others. Who is your dream client and what would their outfit be like?
Angelina Jolie. The outfit would depend on where she's going.

What other projects will you be busy with for the rest of the year?
I just did a 12-piece Philippine fabrics collection at United Colors of Fashion during New York Fashion Week at the Pierre Hotel. The Natural Resources Defense Council (Leo DiCaprio's favorite charity) asked exclusively for my piña dresses to be modeled at their charity event in Washington DC on Sept. 18 in front of congressmen and ambassadors. The next project I'm excited about is to be honored as the Metrowear Icon for 2011. I am very much looking forward to my gala in Manila at Sofitel on October 24.