PURR
Standing Out: Nothing ordinary about Aisha Peñalosa
I’m very complicated. One day you see me wearing a simple black top and tattered skinny jeans and boots. The next time it’s a long sleeved dress over a clean cut pants and high heeled shoes.
The Peñalosas..When she was just a kid, Aisha Peñalosa played with her grandmother’s heirloom sewing machines, but did not understand so much then. Then, she started drawing and designing, realizing later on that she’s part of a family of artists and that they are part of a designing and textile industry.
Aisha is the daughter of the famed fashion designer Jaki Peñalosa. However, this charming and artistic individual is standing out with her own brand of designs coupled with two generations of background in the industry.
The designer, Aisha Penalosa.Aisha loves to play with her materials, thus making the wearer look different yet not outrageous. This was evident during her first fashion show entitled “Cultural Revolution” along with the Young Designers of Iloilo last August. Her creation was street glam and the pieces were made of hablon. She featured hoodies, checkered boleros and scarves to give accent to her black, gray and white-colored collection.
The writer learns more from Aisha, through this interview …
Kathy M. Villalon (KMV): Tell us about your designing process for Cultural Revolution.
Aisha Peñalosa (AP): I made sure that my creations were wearable yet innovative. While I made them, my mom left me alone. She made comments only after I was done with them and realized that I have a long way to go. I learned a lot from her.
KMV: Speaking of your mom, weren’t you scared that people may see you as another Jaki Peñalosa?
AP: I was. In fact, people told me that they can see the Jaki Pen in the collection but they also knew it was so me, that is was somehow different from my mom’s. Also, that’s the reason why I started designing only now because people might compare me to my mom.
KMV: And what’s your designing style like?
AP: I play with my clothes. They are not ordinary. You can stand out even if you wear black, gray and silver. Those are my preferred colors. I like layering and drapings. I like volumes and patterns. My designs are not loud. If ever there is a Jaki Peñalosa similarity in it, it’s the quality and the fact that it’s wearable. Helmut Lang inspired my minimalism and essentialism.
KMV: What influenced your style?
AP: The Winwin brand of Hong Kong and Korea. It’s actually the brand that I really like. They have unique patterns and they are anything but ordinary. Very forward yet comfortable. Like Winwin, I love designing clothes that are sexy but some parts are still covered, wherein even a shy person could actually pull it off something that’s un-ordinary.
KMV: And how about your personal dressing style?
AP: I’m very complicated. One day you see me wearing a simple black top and tattered skinny jeans and boots. The next time it’s a long sleeved dress over a clean cut pants and high heeled shoes. Since I’m big, I always try to balance everything and make sure that it is flattering for my figure. I wear black almost everyday of my life. In fact, when people were asked to describe me, “black” would be it. During my debut, I asked my guests to be in their all black attire because I wanted it to create an impact! I guess I was right! Even my cake was black (laughs). Well, black is classy and timeless.
KMV: I’m sure your mom has influenced you in some way.
AP: I’ve learned so much about professionalism from my mom. She taught me so much about good quality clothes and finishing them promptly. She keeps on reminding me that I have to be an artist and a business woman at the same time, in order for me to stay in this business and survive. Mom told me that I have to take care of my clients and treat them as if they were my first and only client. I have to meet them halfway, but of course make sure that they won’t look bad and cheap. I’m very thankful and lucky because of mama!
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Aisha is a graduate of Mass Communications, St. Paul University-Iloilo. She studied dressmaking in West Visayas State University and Bo. Obrero as well as a one on one lesson from fashion designers Bo Parcon and Angelette Borja- Ragus. Her launching show entitled “Prologue” was held last November and that would be another article. On January 2010, Aisha will be in Manila to further her studies in fashion designing. For that one-of-a-kind fashion, Aisha Peñalosa can be reached through 3364122 or 09166542888.
