Doddie Vril Tan: Romantic touch
Doddie Tan
Today's installment on the Robinsons Design Lab finalists will focus on Doddie Vril Tan, 27, and son of May Peronnilla Tan and Doddy Tan. He is a graduate of Management Accounting from the University of San Agustin.
Despite hearing about the competition over the radio, Doddie didn't have plans to join. Later, thinking that it's all about sketching only, he decided to give it a try. He discovered later that the said competition also requires coming up with clothes. "I got into it, so I might as well finish it."
Know more about Doddie in this interview.
Kathy M. Villalon (KMV): What's your background in fashion designing?
Doddie Vril Tan (DVT): I've been sketching since I was seven years old. I love to trace dresses and then make paper dolls. In the 1980s, I got hooked on reading fashion magazines. During college, my classmates had me design their clothes for them. And in 2007, I took up a six-month course on fashion designing at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines.
Sketches
KMV: What Robinsons Design Lab challenge can't you forget?
DVT: The one where we had to use recyclable materials. I didn't know what materials to use and it was when I did the sketches that the ideas poured in.
KMV: And what did you create?
DVT: A tube top with halter strap, tiered skirt with raffle edging made of garbage plastic bag and a bolero with long-puffed sleeves made of plastic cover. I used softdrink caps for the belt and earrings and embellished them with silver dust to add glitter to the piece. The total output had newspaper and plastic cover inside and I had them laminated so that it won't be torn off.
KMV: What did you create for the Pop Glam challenge?
DVT: I used gina cloth, black satin and Alaskin and my creation had three looks. This purple and lilac outfit cost me P500 only.
KMV: And for the Maong Challenge?
DVT: I created three pieces and I called it the New Yorker Denimism Chic. It had the past and present interpretation of New York's Broadway look. It's like patchwork wherein I cropped the fabric and played with the patterns. I made a strap out of a pant's waistband. The pockets were embellished to create a unique and futuristic detail. I mixed different colors of jeans to make the creation playful. As a designer, I want to be innovative. My Godet skirt can be converted into a handbag, which in turn can be a cellphone pouch and a mini coin purse made of denim. The embellishments and accessories were lace and maong, fitted long gloves, choker rosettes made of denim and fishnet stockings. The headdress was made of feathers and tulle. The rosettes were made of denim.
With classmates at FIP
KMV: Describe your experience at the Robinsons Design Lab.
DVT: I enjoyed it. My relationship with the other designers is good; we help each other. I had one weird experience during the Glam for Less challenge, though. In order to give the model ease in walking with the gown I made, I put pins on the hem and when she's already onstage, I removed the pins while onstage. The judges told me not to do that again.
KMV: Do you intend to be a professional designer?
DVT: Yes. It's impossible for me to thrive in office work; it's not challenging.
KMV: Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
DVT: Fashion magazines and I watch Fashion TV, America's Top Model, Project Runway and other TV shows related to fashion.
Doddie with family and relatives
KMV: Any favored designer?
DVT: For gowns, I like Elie Saab; for couture, Christian Dior, John Galiano and Christian Lacroix; for corporate, Valentino; and for ready to wear, Giorgio Armani and Dolce and Gabbana.
KMV: When you design for someone, what do you consider?
DVT: I consider what the client wants as long as my touch of being romantic is there.
KMV: What's your idea of a romantic design?
DVT: It should be sophisticated and demure. I love to go with light shade of luscious colors; sweet but not too vivid.
Maong Challenge
KMV: What's your usual get-up?
DVT: Simple. I wear shirts and a pair of jeans. I'm not a fan of accessories. I love to dress comfortably and I have no favorite color. I just avoid flare pants because I'm skinny.
KMV: What's a 'baduy' get-up for you?
DVT: One that shows that the wearer doesn't know how to use color and wearing too much accessories. Sometimes, I see people who use printed clothes yet accessorize a lot. Prints require less accessories.
KMV: What get-up do you like seeing?
DVT: Skirt, sleeveless top or a one-piece dress made of cotton.
KMV: What do you like to see in the Ilonggo fashion scene?
DVT: We are very conservative. I'd like to see Ilonggos wearing avant garde fashion someday.
Robinsons Design Lab final competition will be on June 15, 2008.