Yes Philippines NewsMagazine UK Edition - Issue 1

14
ISSUE 1
Pr esi dent i a l Fa sh i o n Co nsul t a nt
M im i Par r el - Pim ent el
L o o k i n g b a c k a t h e r
L o n d o n F a s h i o n
W e e k E X P E R IE N C E
by Charlize Mendez Legaspi
?It is rare for a Filipino fashion talent to be invited to showcase and exhibit her
works on such a global scale, alongside the best in the world. As such, it was a
privilege for me to participate in that event.'
It is a singular honor for any person from a
developing count ry like t he Philippines t o
show his or her t alent in a fashion capit al
like London.
In recent years, Filipino fashion creativity is slowly
being recognized in the United Kingdom, after our
musical talents have been hailed so resoundingly at
West End.
Lesley Mobo, who grew up in Aklan, honed his craft
further when he was appointed head designer of
Jasmine Di Milo at Harrod?s.
In 2010, the multi-talented milliner Mich Dulce was
awarded the prestigious British Council International
Young Creative Entrepreneur (IYCE) International Young
Design Entrepreneur of the Year (IYDEY) Award for
Fashion at London Fashion Week.
Last year, design wunderkind John Herrera won Britain?s
Top Designer, a competition hosted by Fashion Finest,
with his ?Agila? collection.
At the House of iKons presentation at London Fashion
Week at the Gloucester Millennium Hotel in February
this year, three Filipinos were able to flaunt their artistry:
Aandre David, Che Aranjuez and Mimi Parrel-Pimentel.
?It is rare for a Filipino fashion talent to be invited to
showcase and exhibit her works on such a global scale,
alongside the best in the world. As such, it was a
privilege for me to participate in that event,? muses
Parrel-Pimentel.
House of iKons, under the Lady K Productions of the
dynamic Savîta Kayê, scouts for emerging designers
from around the world and gives them a platform to
show in London, one of the Big Four fashion capitals
along with New York, Milan and Paris.
Filipino fashion designers Cary Santiago, Jaki Peñalosa,
Happy Andrada and Rocky Gathercole previously joined
House of iKons shows in the past years.
In her ?Romantic Interlude? collection, Parrel-Pimentel?s
sophisticated, classy and tasteful aesthetic was on full
display. For the ladies, she used piña strips, cotton silk,
Indian sari, Cerutti fabric and Mindanao Silk.
Three of the models were Fil-Brit beauty queens such as
Kiara Giel Gregorio, Miss Philippines Air 2016; Kimberly
Escartin, Miss Philippines UK 2016 and Miss Great Britain
finalist 2017; and Christagale Borja,
Miss Philippines UK 2015 and
Binibining Pilipinas 2017 Top 15.
Parrel-Pimentel?s ladylike confections
attracted several women, receiving
inquiries in the process. One of those
drawn to her creations was the inspirational
Cynthia Alcantara-Barker, the first Filipina
councilor in the UK.
Male models, meanwhile, were transformed
into dashing, distinguished gentlemen in her
piña cocoon silk and Mindanao Silk
barong Tagalog.
Parrel-Pimentel created President
Rodrigo Roa Duterte?s barong Tagalog
during his inauguration. She is
responsible for the statesman look
of the President as his
Presidential Fashion Consultant.
In this capacity, she also dressed
up the ASEAN Ministers and
their spouses at ASEAN 2017, as
well as top executives of the
Departments of Foreign Affairs,
Trade and Industry, National
Defense and Energy.
She is currently practicing in
Makati, with an offer to open a
shop at the Clark Freeport Zone,
but originally hails from Cagayan
de Oro. As a native Mindanaoan,
she fiercely promotes Mindanao
Silk in all her shows and
collections.
This devotion to an indigenous product
earned her the support of the Department of
Tourism?s Tourism Promotions Board?s COO
Cesar Montano, who believes in advocating
for Pinoy-made products to be be showcased
on the international stage.
?I felt overwhelmed and grateful because I
was given the opportunity to show my
collections at one of the world?s fashion
capitals,? said Parrel-Pimentel. ?It is so
fulfilling because it is my ultimate dream to
have a show in London and to see my clothes
worn by international models.?
Mim i Parrel-Pim ent el at t he House of
ikons Present at in of her collect ions
Modelling Mim i's creat ions in t his year 's London
Fashion Week w ere (from L t o R) Christ agale
Borja, Kim berly Escart in and Kiara Giel Gregorio
Runw ay Phot ographed By Surjit Pardesi