A.D. Models: Many are called. Few are chosen

The progressive and highly creative world of fashion, even in local context, thrives on its sense of newness. It is those new things, new ideas and new discoveries that are more of an obsession than a passion. Modeling, which is integral in this business, runs along the same vein, and yet, change remains a lack, most particularly in the professional side of it. While a couple of model agents continue to scout and discover new talents and faces that typify the look of the moment, the local model management business is far from being “professionalized”, and is limited to a small scope of its market. (Ronald Villavelez)

This not withstanding, spurred this writer to roll up his sleeves and head for the salt mines, seeing a wealth of opportunities, especially where the model business was barely tapping.

Then, an upcoming designer in the mid-90s, I began mounting ramp shows in most of the happening jaunts in the metro, and thought of setting up a stable of new models right in my own backyard to embody and represent my fashion style and image. From a couple of new discoveries, who easily became well-accepted in the local ramp scene, the stable grew into a handful. In 1997, after carefully filtering a slew of wannabes and training only the cream of the crop,the freshest batch of models was launched via the concert-fashion show “The 4th of July” with Parliament Syndicate (held at the Cebu Grand Convention Center). In no time, the likes of Solomon Glass, Hans Javier, Christine Sy and Melanie Ediza  were dubbed the hottest finds on the ramp. Soon they made their way in the local runway circuit and print fashion editorials.

When I began conceptualizing  fashion shows for friends in the business, the models came in handy and vice-versa. But not for long. It was the encouragemet of my fashion buddies  that gave me the great idea of professionalizing and legitimizing the model management business. Thus,  A.D. Model Management was formally established.

Since, this model management entity has produced and become the launching pad to some of the most exciting faces and discoveries in the fashion scene today. Then barely out of high school, soon after I discovered her, Verna Buckley made waves in Ford’s Supermodel Search-Philippine Finals in 1999, and  graced Philippines television via her shampoo commercial; the covers of fashion magazines; and the ramp scene. Already signed-up with Calcarrie’s International, a multi-national model agency, this svelte Eurasian beauty  started doing modelling assignments all over the fashion capitals of Asia. She even represented the Philippines in Eileen Ford’s Supermodel of the World Competition held in Dominican Republic in December 2002. Since then, Verns’ image has become the standard for the next face “to launch a thousand ships” in fashion and modeling.

The epitome of male models soon resurfaced. The Cañizares brothers, Jovince and Jofrance, have been both successful in their foray to Manila’s runway circuit. They changed the vision of male models in Cebu & paved the way for putting male fashion to a higher level.  While Jovince is all over Asia nowadays, enjoying the best in the runway and print meccas this side of the world as well as appearing in commercials and leading fashion shows, Jofrance has stayed in Cebu and is now the Asst. Chief Engineer of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. He was dubbed as Van Heusen’s “Man of the Moment” in a recent fashion event held at the Ayala Center Cebu.

Through the years, the best models under A.D. has come a long way. Verns was a model for an OPRAH fashion episode and once in the roster of FORD MODELS USA. Vince was on the Penshoppe billboards and tv ads.  AJ Winkler won MTV Fashionista- Best Model of The World and appeared in a Bench ad campaign.  

The year 2007 promises a new beginning, the countdown for the group’s tenth year anniversary in 2008. Already making waves are the new batch of A.D.-HOMME & FEMME as seen on this page.

 A.D. Model Management continues to be on the lookout for the freshest faces that will blaze new trails in the various niches of the modelling business, as it strives to achieve its mission and vision of expanding its horizons and living up to the demands of its highly discriminating market.

Many are called. Few are chosen.