Oliver Tolentino, Los Angeles’ red carpet couturier, is a celebrity go-to for everything luxurious and elegant. His feminine detailing and strong silhouettes capture old Hollywood glamour. With a design philosophy that stems from his native Philippines, Tolentino’s vibrant colors and prints and attention to details have earned him an A-List roster of clientele. His creations have been featured at the Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, Grammys, SAG Awards, American Billboard Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Cannes Film Festival, and on TV programs American Idol, America’s Next Top Model (cycles 17 & 18), Extra, Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, The View, and E!’s Fashion Police.
From humble beginnings in Bataan province, Tolentino grew to be known as “the Valentino of the Philippines.” Just over 3 years ago, he set up his main atelier on Melrose Avenue while keeping his boutique in Manila. Immediately, he was noticed and honored as 2010 OSCARS® Designer Challenge finalist, Fashion Week El Paseo 2011 Designer of the Week (Palm Springs), 2011 Samsung MetroWear Icon, and San Diego Women’s Week 2012 Featured Designer.
Tolentino also specializes in eco-friendly fabrics, earning him the 2011 Featured Designer of eco-ethical endeavor Rags2Riches and the 2010 Sustainable Eco Fashion Award at Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas. Through his incorporation of native fabrics derived from pineapple fibers (piña), abaca plant fibers, water-lily leaves, jute and raw silk cocoon, Tolentino has become an advisor to his native country’s weavers and embroiderers.
His piña eco gowns have been featured on American Idol, at Global Green USA’s 9th Annual Pre-Oscar Party; Fashion Week El Paseo in Palm Springs; Downtown L.A. Fashion Week; Gorgeous & Green in San Francisco; United Colors of Fashion in New York; the Peabody Awards; Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas, EcoChic events in Hong Kong, Geneva (U.N.’s Palais des Nations), and Milan; and in the OSCARS® Designer Challenge where Hollywood saw these fabrics for the first time. He won 1st prize at 2008 Bali Fashion Week with a capiz shell accented outfit. And just in April, Carrie Underwood wore his peach piña gown to perform on American Idol for an international audience.
In 2012, Tolentino was the first designer ever featured at Global Green’s Pre-Oscar Party, was first designer ever featured at San Diego Women’s Week, opened Barbados Fashion Week, and created 14 outfits for the America’s Next Top Model (18) premiere in which he appeared. And 2013 had a great start with Fergie wearing his chartreuse gown to host Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve.
After just over 3 years in the U.S., Tolentino has accomplished so much in such a short time. Having now shown in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Palm Springs, San Diego, Manila, Bali, Barbados, Hong Kong, and the Bahamas, Tolentino will continue to dress the style conscious around the world.
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