StyleBible.ph

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME A DESIGNER?

Through the years of being exposed to the local fashion scene, having a lot friends in the industry , this motivated me to become a designer.

HOW DID YOU START AS A DESIGNER?

When I started ten years ago, I was determined that jewelry was all I was going to be doing. It’s easy to get fixated when you’re making necklaces, rings, bracelets, earring, brooches, and all those little trinkets—the  possibilities are endless. The process is so intricate and I guess this is what makes the whole thing so fascinating. Not to mention the exquisite feeling upon seeing those little pieces end up on the wearer.

Accessories are to an outfit what punctuation marks are to a sentence. Seeing and knowing that your creation is responsible for the finishing touches on someone’s look, it gives you a sense of accomplishment. 

WHERE DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR DESIGN TRAINING?

Through experience; experience [has] taught me my design aesthetics, competing abroad and representing the Philippines in various accessory completions in France, Asia and within the Philippines.  

WHAT IS YOUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY?

[To blend] comfort and style

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE SHANDAR DESIGN AESTHETIC?

Opulent,high end, and sophisticated.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION?

I get it from the personalities of my clients, the way they carry themselves, [when they] converse with me—going from the design of their choice to [when they] ask for my professional advice. This inspires me most.

WHO ARE YOUR STYLE ICONS? YOUR STYLE INFLUENCES/INSPIRATIONS?

The late Elizabeth Taylor and the late Jacqueline Kennedy. 

WHICH DESIGNERS/ARTISTS DO YOU ADMIRE MOST, BOTH LOCAL AND FOREIGN?

I admire David Yurman and Cary Santiago.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A DESIGNER?

Competing against myself

WHAT'S THE BEST CLOTHING ITEM/ACCESSORY WOMEN/MEN SHOULD HAVE?

A good pair of  shoes.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GARMENT OR FASHION ACCESSORY?

My shades—Ray-Ban  gold Signets.

HOW HAVE YOU EVOLVED AS A DESIGNER?

[I spent ] ten years as jewelry deisigner then I evolved into [designing] shoes, going back to the basic accessories of a  woman, [which are her] shoes

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER?

Having my loyal clients still with me through the years,

WHAT ASPECT OF DESIGN DO YOU SEEK TO MASTER/HAVE DEVOTED TIME TO MASTER?

I seek to master the art of balance in design

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?

I watch movies with friends and loved ones

DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?

Yes I collect keychains from my travels here and abroad

WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO? FILMS YOU WATCH? BOOKS YOU READ?

I listen to house music, I watch mystery films and a lot of classic films way back from the 70’s

OTHER PASTIMES, PASSIONS, INTERESTS ASIDE FROM FASHION?

I cook at home with my parents and play with my dog. 

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?

Buying myself an iPad

WHAT PROFESSION WOULD YOU BE IN IF YOU WEREN’T A DESIGNER?

I’ll be a full-time dentist

WHAT CAN WE LOOK FORWARD TO FROM YOU AS A DESIGNER?

You’ll see more of my Shandar touch in my shoes

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PHILIPPINE FASHION INDUSTRY NEEDS MOST IN ORDER TO FLOURISH?

More devoted and serious people around the Philippine fashion industry

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING DESIGNERS?

Just believe in your design and everything will follow