niko for veluz

I swear Niko will kill me for this heheheh

Clients usually ask me where I met Niko and how I got him to work for me.
Well here's the story...

One of my closest friends in college used to teach garment construction subjects in UP. Two of her students qualified to compete for the search for the Philippine representative to Concours International des Jeunes Createurs de Mode (International Competition of Young Fashion Designers). My friend asked me to assist them in making the clothes. One of the students was Niko's errr partner, did I mention Niko is a proud gay? :-) Opo, hindi sya talaga girl! hahahaha!

He was graduating from La Salle then and since they made my shop their official tambayan for more than 2 months, we got to be close. He was into shoes so I offered him the job to be my accessories designer when he graduates. He was happy, I was happier :-)

Since that time, its been five fruitful and productive years. Niko has since expanded the business from shoes and bags to include pillows, headpieces, brooches and cuffs. I've seen him transform from an artsy guy with a hellish artist attitude to someone I will trust to make my prom gown. ay! anuvah!! hehehe ;-) Niko is fitting a shrieking prom girl as I write this. Hey! surely every girl knows how important THE prom gown is! :-)

I've taught him how to fit, embellish and be organized. Believe me, I am not the kindest mentor. Naku, sermon ako ever! There were moments when he'd cry from sheer frustration and I'd let him. Custom making gowns is not all glamour, it's more hardwork and passion - a lot more. He has always been passionate about high fashion clothes and accessories, but was he willing to sweat it out with the mananahis and the liliperas? Was he willing to scour the dirty streets of Divisoria to look for the right fusible and the right tulle? Ayaw ko naman yata ng tumitili because he gets putik on his legs!

Niko was able to prove himself. He genuinely loves our brides and my brides looooove him!
He's been handling our entourage and mommy gowns for more than a year now. And I believe he's now ready to handle brides, even bridezillas! :-)

I asked Niko to make two Niko for Veluz wedding gowns for this weekend's bridal fair, and pwera yabang, they're beautiful! I went there yesterday, stayed on just to see how people will react to his display, and like a proud mommy, I got high when people started getting his calling cards.

But you should've seen Niko the night before the bridal fair! He wasn't able to sleep! He texted me at midnight, thanked me for the opportunity. And just like Niko, I replied - chos! :-)

See, I learned something from him too! hahaha!
Love you Niko!



Oh by the way, in case you're wondering, they're not together anymore :-)
His ex-beau won on his 3rd attempt and was sent to Paris to compete.
Yes, we made the outfit for that competition and it was awesome! I could've hired him too as a design apprentice, he is an extremely good designer. But it's not just talent, it's the attitude.