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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: TIPPI OCAMPO

It's a lacy, romantic, and sexy summer for Tippi Ocampo.

All stylish and sophisticated ladies out there have a lot to look forward to in Tippi Ocampo's latest collection for summer 2010. The petite and eloquent fashion designer gives us Sinners & Saints, a delicious array of lacy summer dresses in a diversity of good girl cuts and saucy, coquettish styles.

Some dresses perfectly embody the quaint charm needed to dress up for afternoon tea, or the sweetness and quiet elegance of a dress just appropriate for a first meeting with the boyfriend's parents. The cocktail dresses are perfect for a romantic rendezvous or a night out on the town, while the longer, lightweight gowns are best suited to more formal affairs should one want to exude a prim and proper yet subtly and deviously sexy vibe.

Tippi has also somewhat reinvented the terno, making it more contemporary and wearable to less ceremonial events. She attached butterfly sleeves to a simple beige shift overlaid with dainty lilac lace, and adorned with black and gold zipper accoutrements for a more contemporary edge. Tippi explains, “[It is] a modern reincarnation of the Maria Clara and terno. [I made] use of lace reminiscent of the veils used in colonial Philippines but updated and given a modern, sexy twist.”

Her design aesthetic has always been inspired by Filipiniana, giving her garments a fashionalistic personality. “My past collections have often explored personal interpretations of different Filipino themes because I am fascinated with evolving a design aesthetic derived from my roots and mixing it with what's current and relevant,” she tells us. “I envision a hip, modern, playfully charming Maria Clara of today—worldly but still a bit of an ingénue—to be wearing my clothes.“

Asked if she has a favorite garment in her collection, she reveals, “I love the black taffeta 'butterfly' terno dress with the beaded lilac lace petticoat because it is wearable and conceptual at the same time. It is a cocktail terno dress that represents a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. [It] was featured in Wawi Navarroza's work Pastorale (Island Girl Sceif Picnic/Unreal Estates N º1, a photograph representing the life and works of Fernando Amorsolo, which also played with the themes of modern takes on classic Philippine art.”

Continue reading to find out more about her as a designer, and click on the photo gallery to see her exquisite collection for summer 2010.

Click here to see Tippi Ocampo's Designer Directory.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME A DESIGNER?

I've always loved the arts—painting, design, literature—from when I was young, so these were always things that I dabbled in. I loved drawing and writing and working with my hands. When I was around 8 or 9 years old, I was gifted with an electric toy sewing machine (that could really sew) and I would use it to make simple sewing projects.

HOW DID YOU START AS A DESIGNER?

I started as a designer by joining the Philippine Fashion Design Competition, which was organized by the Fashion & Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP). I was on sabbatical leave from my job in advertising, and while on break I met with a friend, designer Patrice Ramos-Diaz, who encouraged me to join the competition and who gave me invaluable support. I was unbelievably thrilled when the first gown I ever designed was chosen as one of five winning entries to represent the Philippines in the Concours International des Jeunes Createurs de Mode in Paris, France. A few months after that I was inducted into the FDCP and I've been designing ever since.

WHERE DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR FASHION TRAINING?

I graduated with a bachelor's degree in fine arts which is where I got my training in design, and this was combined with the hands-on training and mentorship in fashion that I received during the competition and continued afterwards when I joined FDCP. Luckily, I was inducted into the FDCP early on so I was able to participate in many of their fashion shows, trade shows, and mentorship programs which helped me learn a lot, and which helped me become friends with some of the most talented fashion designers who were all very willing and helpful in sharing their expertise.

WHAT IS YOUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY?

My design philosophy is that design is a reflection of the times—it is a by-product of a designer's vision combined with the consumer's needs and the stimulus of everything happening around. It is form and function in a constant process of evolution, and is not, unlike what most people think, a product of pure fantasy or unimaginative imitation.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION?

I wrote a book, Not by the Book: Fashioning Design, which explores the journey from inspiration to final creation. I find inspiration everywhere—from our city's side streets, to our historical ancestral homes, to our provincial gardens. My first gown was inspired by the curlicue wrought iron grills of our house which reminded me of lace. I think if we stay open and curious, we will realize that anything and everything can inspire us.

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

My earlier inspirations started with many of the artists of the Pop Art movement like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein whose works I admired when I was younger. I loved their creativity and their fearlessness in expressing themselves.

Having grown up in the 80's, I was influenced early on by the devil-may-care style of Madonna, who loved mixing street styles with couture. I also took my love of vintage from my grandmother who has always been a big influence on me. Nowadays I greatly admire women who know themselves and who dress to express their individual styles and not to merely follow trends.

WHICH DESIGNERS/ARTISTS DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?

I admire many of our local artists and designers, especially those who are really pursuing their passions and are striving to move beyond vanity projects into really making a difference in our industry. There are a growing number of boutiques, galleries, exhibit spaces opening all over the city where I enjoy meeting many of these artistic individuals. I truly believe there is a creative renaissance happening in Manila at the moment!

WHO WOULD YOU LOVE TO DRESS? WHO ARE THE CLIENTS YOU ENJOY WORKING WITH?

I would love to dress some of our local young talents, to give them a more individualistic point of view and so they don't all look alike. The clients I currently have are fun to collaborate with because they are all stylish women in their own right, but they share my sense of humor and whimsical fashion sense and we always enjoy working together.

WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF TIMELESS STYLE?

Timeless style can be seen in different ways, in the singular style of Coco Chanel, and in the ever-evolving style of Madonna. These women were not afraid to take fashion risks and had the confidence to pull them off, and confidence is always timeless.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AS A DESIGNER?

My biggest challenge as a designer has been to encourage women to embrace their individuality and uniqueness—most women are so conscious about fitting in. But this is slowly changing, and more women—especially the younger ones—are developing the confidence to have fun with fashion and develop their own tastes.

WHICH ASPECT OF THE DESIGN PROCESS DO YOU ENJOY MOST?

I enjoy everything about design to be honest, and I love exploring different aspects of it. Details fascinate me more than theatrics and I love the process of taking an idea from my head, putting it onto a piece of paper, and then creating a beautiful, tactile, functional version of it.

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

The best garment that a man or woman should have is a great pair of jeans—I think of a pair of jeans like a blank canvas—since it is the perfect foil for anything and everything that is worn with it.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GARMENT OR FASHION ACCESSORY?

If jeans are my functional favorite, dresses are my absolute fashion favorite! And I am crazy about shoes.

ANY CURRENT TRENDS THAT YOU'RE FOND OF? ANY CURRENT OBSESSIONS?

I'm not a big fan of trends, although I love the play of colors, textures and prints that have been prevalent recently.

HOW HAVE YOU EVOLVED AS A DESIGNER?

Staying open and interested in things outside of fashion—such as art, nature, travels or people on the streets—has helped me evolve as a designer because it helps me see things from a fresh perspective.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN YOUR CAREER?

As of today, I'm most proud of the Not by the Book fashion exhibit and book launch that I worked on with the people closest to me because it really embodied my design process and where I come from as a fashion designer.

WHAT IS THE GREATEST COMPLIMENT YOU HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT YOUR WORK?

The greatest compliments that I have received from people are when they tell me they love my work because it is thoughtful, fresh and inspiring, and makes them feel beautiful. Of course it's an even bigger compliment when they keep coming back for more! ;-)

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

Design, whether in fashion or other fields, extends way beyond the workshop and affects everything around it. More than mastering one aspect, I'm enjoying exploring the other aspects of design and incorporating my other passions into what I do.

ASPIRATIONS FOR THE BRAND IN THE FUTURE?

My aspirations are to continue designing and exploring a contemporary Filipino fashion aesthetic, not as a costume but as something relevant that evolves with the times.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?

Traveling and seeing the world, to me, is the best way to unwind—so even when I'm in Manila I enjoy going around and playing "tourist"!

FAVORITE SHOPPING AND TRAVEL DESTINATIONS?

My favorite places to travel around and to shop in are here in the Philippines and in Europe. I specifically love exploring markets and little towns and keeping an eye out for one-of-a-kind pieces.

DO YOU COLLECT ANYTHING?

I don't really collect any one thing in particular, but I do have an eclectic mix of things that I find interesting since I love scouring flea markets!

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

I'm not a film snob and the films that I enjoy range from the 80's pop fare that I grew up with, to quirkier, artsier films. I grew up loving all variations of rock, from glam rock to pop rock, although my favorite music right now is from a French group called Nouvelle Vague that plays remade 80's new wave music with a loungy twist.

I used to be a pretty avid reader and enjoyed authors like Henry Miller and contemporary writers like Janet Fitch and Elisabeth Robinson, but recently I haven't had as much time to sit down and finish a book.

OTHER PASTIMES, PASSIONS, INTERESTS ASIDE FROM FASHION?

Aside from designing, writing is my other passion. I always find myself swinging between the two, which is why I have my personal blog where I journal, and I currently write a fashion/design/style column called The Tippi Point.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?

Traveling is my husband's and my greatest extravagance (or as we like to believe, greatest "necessity").

WHAT OTHER TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE?

My husband Ito sings incredibly well and I wish I had that talent too!

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?

My greatest achievement is following my own personal path and not being afraid to do things not-by-the-book. ;-)

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

The Philippine fashion industry is overflowing with creative talent, but what it needs is a more comprehensive understanding of how the global fashion industry works in order to be more competitive and not be so insular.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING DESIGNERS?

I would advise aspiring designers to think globally, but not lose sight of what's happening locally. Instead of completely mimicking foreign designers, find your own personal fashion "voice" and develop that (it's what will help set you apart from all the other designers). And above all, have fun!

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