Designer Spotlight! Veejay Floresca Interview!

I've got the privilege to interview Veejay Floresca and discussed with him his experience on Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013. The interview was published in Diaryo Filipino - A Filipino/Canadian Newspaper based in Alberta, Canada.

Read below for my interview with the talented and amazing Veejay Floresca:

Spotlight On Veejay Floresca
by Henry G. Anima II

I got really excited upon learning that Veejay Floresca, a young and very successful Filipino designer, was invited to have a show in Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013 (as shown on photos below). I’ve seen his creations long before he landed third place in the hit fashion reality TV show Project Runway Philippines (Season 1). Since then Veejay’s career as a designer has taken off very well. And now, he has become one of the most sought after young designers in the Philippines.

After seeing his collection on a live stream video, which I really like a lot, I knew I had to feature him and his collection here in Diaryo Filipino to let more people about him.

First of all I’d like to congratulate you on the success of your show at the Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013. What did you feel when you got the invite to present a collection at Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013?

VF: I was very nervous! haha.. ‘coz it’s my first international fashion show, and my first time to do a Fall collection. I’ve done several collections before but it’s in the Philippines, so definitely the biggest challenge for me was to create a collection for a more global market.

What was your inspiration behind the collection? And what is the collection called?

VF: I took inspiration from the old photographs of my mom. I still remember those days when I would always browse through her old albums looking at the clothes, the fashion during her time. Fashion is a cycle, so I thought of getting that as my main inspiration. There’s no name for this collection.

It’s about layering and outerwear that’s perfect for women who love fashion and style.

What are the challenges that you had to face in creating this collection?

VF: The biggest challenge for me was to come up with a collection ONLINE.

I am here in San Francisco now taking up my Masters in Fashion Design at Academy of Art University. Doing this collection online needs a lot of time and effort, but [it’s] worth-it. I have a very skilled and efficient team in Manila. We maximized the advantage of advanced technology to keep in touch and in doing the collection.

I know you’re studying in San Francisco now but can you tell me more about it?

VF: My course is Masters in Fine Arts Major in Fashion Design.

I am learning so much. I thought what I learned in my undergraduate in College of Saint Benilde was enough, but I was wrong. Studying here made me a better designer. I learned more techniques and advanced lessons about pattern making, clothing construction and I was challenged to cope up with their high standards.

I also learned to develop my own style and to be more versatile as a designer without losing my own personal style as a designer. In the Philippines, many designers love dresses or gowns. Haha... I like them, too because that’s the market. But when I came here, I became more mature. As much as possible, I keep myself from what I would usually do in Manila. So now I am focusing in designing separates such as coats, trousers, jackets, tops which is more challenging!

I know that you are designing for people from different parts of the world. Tell me about that.

VF: Yes, I am indeed lucky to have a market of clients abroad. I appreciate the trust they give me.

Who would have thought that we could use a smartphone to communicate with clients abroad. How do maximize the use of it in your business? To close a deal?

VF: We are now moving towards a more diverse world and there is a need to elevate our business modules to reach out to a bigger market.

Majority of my clients now are people from all over the world. They don’t meet me personally, but we chat, Skype, email, and those are just some of the useful ways we do to work together.

What are your future goals?

VF: I want to finish my school and hopefully, join more international fashion shows, establish another branch here in SFO or NYC, continue my scholarship programs for aspiring fashion designers, and get married and build my own family at the age of 35.

What advise can you give budding designers out there?

VF: I think as designers, we need to challenge ourselves and not to always stay in our comfort zones. You may contact Veejay through his e-mail address at veejayfloresca@gmail.com 

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Beauty Haul! From Hong Kong Trip!

During my latest trip to Hong Kong I only bought four (4) items that I will be using for my clients. These are MAC 239 brush, PALGANTONG MAKE-UP theatrical powder in Beige Ocre, DUO striplash adhesive in black and KOJI no. 100 eyelash curler.

And I am excited and I can't wait to use these on my clients and friends. Who's volunteering to test these?

MAC 239 Brush

PALGANTONG MAKE-UP Theatrical Powder in Beige Ocre

DUO Striplash Adhesive in Black

KOJI No. 100 Eyelash Curler for the lower eyelash

I still have supplies for other stuff life foundations, eyeshadows and lip colors so I decided not to buy any of those. These 4 items are the stuff that I needed for the moment that's why I bought them.

What do you think of my recent purchase?

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Adventure Time! Winter in Hong Kong!

I instantly like Hong Kong from the first time I went there (with my mom, my aunt and my youngest brother last 2010). And going back to Hong Kong this year on a colder weather makes it more exciting for me.

Last February, I went back to Hong Kong with my friends. It was their first time to go there so I got really excited to be their tour guide. We decided to stay in Tsim Sha Tsui since my friends love shopping a lot. I thought it would be a great place to start shopping since a lot of shops flooded the area.

Outfit of the Day at Tsim Sha Tsui: checkered button down shirt from Levi's, gray jacket from Dockers, tapered pants from Wrangler, sandals from Sanuk, faux fur hat from 21Men, herringbone scarf from Forever21, sunglasses from Vanz, camera sling bag from Crumpler, black arm band from H&M, red arm band from tiange.

At the immigration in Hong Kong: cap by Penshoppe, v-neck t-shirt from Giordano, jacket shirt from W by Rajo.

When we arrived at the Hong Kong international airport I got more excited because I see fogs everywhere meaning the weather will be a lot colder there; we can roam around the city on foot without having to worry about heat, humidity and sweating (profusely).

We had our lunch at the airport first before we bought our 3 day unlimited train ride tickets. I really recommend this one because you will be having an access to Airport Express going to and from Hong Kong downtown plus unlimited rides to all trains (MTR) within Hong Kong for 3 days. And if you are staying a bit longer (in our case we stayed for four (4) days) you can buy additional credit from any train station. Don't worry if you'll end up buying more credits because you can always refund the extra credit once you go back to the airport.

We got ourselves a map to guide us. The map is free so feel free to grab one if you don't have one with you. From the Airport going to Tsim Sha Tsui was easy. In our case we first took the Airport Express Line (the green line) and stopped at Tsing Yi station. Then took the Tung Chung Line (the orange line) stopping at Lai King station before taking the Tsuen Wan Line (the red line) which finally lead us to Tsim Sha Tsui.

Please click on the map below to see Hong Kong's MTR system:

Image courtesy of: http://vendyxiao.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/hong-kong-MTR-map01.jpg

I was not able to take photos of my OFTD on our first day because we got too busy exploring Hong Kong. But here's what I wore on our second day:

Outside Tsim Sha Tsui Train Station. I'm all wrapped up because it was so cold that day. I decided to wear Sanuk sandals because we're going to walk most of the time and I want something comfortable to wear.

The scarf helps a lot to combat the cold weather. Herringbone scarf from Forever21, sunglasses from Vanz, black leather arm band from H&M also available in brown, red leather arm band from tiange also available in different colors.

Battery juice accessory from ibattz for iphone 4s for extra battery power.

Green/Black camera sling bag from Crumpler.

Black/Gray Herringbone sandals from Sanuk.

Locals call this landmark as "The Black Guy."

At The Peak Tram station. The tram goes all the way up to the peak. At The Peak you can have a great view of Hong Kong. You can also find Madame Tussauds Wax museum here.

Overlooking Hong Kong from The Peak. It's windy and cold up here.

With some tourist at The Peak.

The faux fur hat shielded my ears from the freezing wind. Faux fur hat from 21Men, herringbone scarf from Forever21, sunglasses from Vanz.

A mall across The Peak.

 Hong Kong Island city scape; A view from the Avenue of the Stars.

 Wrist watch from Giordano.

Goofing around at the Avenue of the Stars.

We went to a lot of places on our second day and of course we ended the day shopping. LOL.

Photos by James Reido
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Get The Look! Black And Red Butterfly Eye Makeup!

I was asked to help Yeoh Models for their Spring Summer 2012 Package shoot. The inspiration behind the look for the girls for the shoot is the dark shade surrounding the eyes of a raccoon. During the shooting day, we (the make-up artists) were told to modify the color of the eyeshadows as we like as long as we still include black eyeshadow and retain the shape of the raccoon eyes.

For the model's eyeshadows, I chose the red eyeshadow to mix with black to mimic the color of the wings of a black-and-red butterfly. I really like the outcome and I will be sharing you today how to recreate the look.

Model: Patricia Go of Yeoh Models
Photo & Make-up: Henry G. Anima II
Hair: Mycke Arcano

For this look I use NYX Makeup Make-up Artist kit (photo shown above).

I marked the eyeshadows in the palette for easy eyeshadow reference.

Black and Red Butterfly Inspired Eye Makeup:

Follow the simple steps to below to achieve the look.

Note: Placed the product/s on the space enclosed in white line on the photo above each steps.

Step 01:
Prime and put eye makeup base on the entire eye area starting from upper lash line up to the brow bone. I use NYX Eyeshadow base in skin tone.

Step 02:
Using a blending brush like Mac 224 place black eyeshadow in D3 on the outer eye area and swipe it on the crease towards the inner eye area near the nose. Make sure to use gentle strokes so that the less eyeshadows will be placed on the inner eye area of the crease.

Step 03:
Using a dome eyeshadow brush like Mac 239 place red eyeshadow in F6 on the lid area. Carefully blending it on the edge of the black eyeshadow placed from the previous step. Add more layer of the red eyeshadow depending on the intensity of the color that you want to achieve.

Step 04:
Using a eyeliner brush like Mac 210 place a black gel or cream liner on the upper lash line. Then smudge the gel/cream using Marionnaud No. 8 pencil brush.

Step 05:
Using Marionnaud No. 8 pencil brush place red eyeshadow in F6 on the lower lash line. Starting from the outer eye corner towards the inner eye corner. Make sure that you blend the eye shadow well.

Step 06:
Using a small angle brush like Mac 208 place a black gel eye liner on the lower waterline. Then slightly blend it on the lower lash line.

Step 07:
Using Marionnaud No. 8 pencil brush place black eyeshadow in D3 on the lower lash line to blend the black gel eye liner.

Step 08:
Using a blending brush like Mac 217 combine eye shadows in D1 and D6 the place it on the brow bone towards the inner eye corner in a wild shield wiper motion. Make sure to blend the edges well.

Then Curl your eyelashes with Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler. Apply 2 coats of Maybelline The Magnum Volum' Express Waterproof Mascara (let the mascara dry for 3 to 5 seconds before applying the second coat) from roots to tips. Add false eyelashes to your liking.

Below are the finished look:

Eye Makeup with eyes close.

Eye Makeup with eyes open.

For Patricia's Brows:

For her eyebrows I use wet n' wild ultimate brow kit powder in Ash Brown. I use the lighter one using MAC 208 brush. I first fill in the highest point of the arch towards the tip of the eyebrow before filling in the part near the nose.

Tip: Try to draw the shape first and check if you like it before putting more eyebrow powder. It's always easier to pack colors than removing the excess. I hope this helps.

For the Face:

I use 2 color of True Match foundation to achieve her skin color. Then I mix nyx, kryolan and covergirl concealer on under eye area, sides of the nose/mount and on spots that need concealing. Then I use kryolan transparent loose powder to set the makeup using E.L.F. powder brush.

For the Cheeks:

I use Maybelline blush in peach and cinnamon using Nars Yachiyo brush. Note: You should put lip balm like Carmex after skin prep.

For the Lips:

Step 01: Line the entire lip area (upper and lower lips) with Etude House Lip Liner in Natural. Purse lips together to distribute lip liner evenly.

Step 02: Apply Kryolan Lipstck in #LF401 (nudel-coral shade). Purse lips together. Repeat this step twice or thrice depending on how long you want your lipstick will stay.

Step 03: Then add a coat of Kryolan Lipstick in #LC132 for that hint of orange. Purse lips together.

Step 04: Set lipstick by pressing tissue in between your upper and lower lips.

Step 05: Apply Etude House clear Lip Gloss in the Middle of your lower lip.

I hope you like her look and like the tutorial too. Let me know if you are able to recreate the look and what you think about it.

Enjoy!

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