Viva La Vintagia!

CEBU, Philippines - The upsurge of vintage trends in the world of fashion has never been bigger, bolder, and brighter than when it had first gained a steady following way back in the early 1990s with fashion icons like Julia Roberts, Titianna Sorokko, Kate Moss, and Chloe Sevigny rocking the look and giving vintage a classier, sexier twist. Suffice to say, vintage is back and vintage is here to stay.

And just when you thought that the only fab vintage finds are limited to the ateliers of the movers and shakers of the fashion world like Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Paul Poiret-making it relatively out of the reach for the fabulous everyday Pinay-you meet a rising designer and style maven like Veronica Valente-Vicuña who's as classy, as quirky, and as unconventional as the fashion genre she embodies down pat.

Only a few people-those who know her very well-would have ever seen her shift to fashion coming. It was a leap of faith for Veronica-or Rona, as she is more popularly known-who worked for a local construction company as a Civil Engineer at the onset of life after graduation to eventually leaving this gung-ho environment and finally making a name for herself in the world of fashion.

"I guess I was confused in the beginning what I really wanted to do with my life. I had a degree in Engineering but I had no "drive" to use it. I was only able to practice for only ten months when I worked at a local construction company as a site engineer…Building construction was fun when it came to the aesthetics (finishing), where I had to deal with paints and decorations. Working as a Civil Engineer didn't really appeal to me. I had more fun organizing the company's Christmas party," said Rona candidly.

It was obvious from the onset that Rona's first love was anything that had to with design be it in fashion, photography, graphic design or interior design. And it was really only when she started pay attention to what her heart was telling her did she begin a journey that has steadily been winning her a solid fan base among Negros and even Cebu's classiest sets.

Unlike most other designers who began their fledgling careers dressing up their Barbie Dolls, the genesis of Rona the Queen of Vintage was a little bit different, this not involving the most popular doll in the world. Sorry, Barbie.

Looking back in retrospect, Rona remembers that the first time she ever dabbled into fashion design was when, as a little girl, she was quite fond of drawing a girl in full winter apparel-in great detail-from the lush fur/mink coat, to the trimmings for the pockets, to the scarf neatly slung around her neck, and even the very last detail on the winter boots.

 "Then when I got introduced to Betty and Veronica, Katy Keene and Josie and the Pussycats, I'd take note of their outfits. : Later on, I'd trace over the comic books and re-color the dresses they wore. Or changed the design. : I think I was in Grade 3 or 4 then," the 32-year-old, svelte morena fondly recalled.

Fast forward to several years and several trips to vintage and thrift shops later, Rona found herself surrounded amidst a vast collection of unique vintage finds, many of which she reconstructed, restyled, and re-dressed-and then it hit her. Why not share the treasures that she has been able to bring home from her thrift shop expeditions and sell them? She toyed with the idea for a while and then eventually experimented with it come 2007, selling her reconstructed masterpieces in her online shop, Veronica's Closet where she sold half a dozen pieces before the end of the first day she opened her collection to the public. It wasn't until 2009 when Rona seriously got her hands and heart into designing.

"In 2009, I was invited by Anya Lim of Anthill Fabric Gallery in Cebu to display some items from my website. She had been buying regularly from my site and she wanted me to sell my re-made dresses in her fabric gallery. She encouraged me to come up with a line, where altered and reconstructed vintage dresses are showcased. I chose the name Re/Dress which simply means to re-do the dress," she said.

Since then, what started out as an innocent crush on things vintage, blossomed into a full-fledged love affair and until today, has earned Veronica a clientele smitten by the simple silhouettes, the interplay of fabrics and color, and the classic cuts of the pieces that she either has put together from scratch or those that she has given a new lease on life.

"Some vintage dresses may have beautiful fabrics, but the dress may not be worn again due to tiny rips, runs, etc.. I totally revamp the dress. Using what fabric can be salvaged from dress, I then add new fabrics, and restyle it," Rona described the entire creative process.

The striking combination of her eye for details, her impeccable choice of fabrics, and her natural ability to mix classic pieces together spiking it with an almost fresh but timeless spin was enough to make her turn heads in the local fashion scene.

"I think my greatest source of motivation to pursue fashion was my mentor in Fashion summer school, designer Dexter Alazas and THE Jun Escario. During the Style Gala after my segment, Jun Escario came up to me and said, 'You know how to use fabrics.' I was star struck I could only say a weak, 'Thank you!' : And after the graduation, Dexter Alazas shook my hand and said, 'You are the most promising designer from the bunch.' Those words coming from two big and accomplished designers ring in my ears to this day. Now who wouldn't be motivated with that?" Rona gushed.

Rona's fervour for life is easily manifested in her designs. In fact, it's 70s glam that this designer-who's a self-confessed frustrated writer and ballet dancer-closely identifies herself and her style to. According to Rona, if she were a piece of clothing, she would easily be a lush, billowing maxi dress that can go from casual to classic resort wear in a breeze.

"I'm a flexible kind of person, I adapt easily to the environment I'm in, I get along with different kinds of personalities and basically am easy-going," she said.

Rona's designs are classic and timeless pieces reminiscent of the best eras in fashion. From pieces coming from the height of the flapper era to Victorian ruffles and kitten ties to shift dresses, wide-legged trousers, and all things mod, Rona's take on each piece is a classic example of vintage reinvented, vintage made more beautiful. If you're about to throw your hands up in resignation because you still haven't come across that perfect piece to rock this year's version of the vintage trend, baby, you probably haven't dropped by Veronica's closet yet.

"The designs may be simple and classic, but I make sure I use the right fabric. I'm also very particular on details," said Rona as she talked about how she is incredibly particular about which kind of trimmings and pipings go for which type of clothing, even up to the type of buttons to use for what. "Usually when I design I would literally just close my eyes, and imagine how the dress will look when it's already done or I'd just thoughtfully look at each fabric and try to picture what cut best goes with it. So, for me I guess, what makes it stand out, is my attention to detail."

This keen eye on detail has been the strength of many of Rona's designs and has naturally made her just like her vintage classics-a rare find. After all, effortlessly stylish designers are hard to come by these days. With so many young designers venturing out into what would otherwise be a poor attempt at avant-garde, Rona's no-nonsense take on wearable vintage pieces is truly a breath of fresh air and definitely something that won't be going out of style.

"Good fashion sense is when knowing when to stop layering things on.

It's also being able to take something so ordinary, like a scarf, and make it look extraordinary by wearing it in a way you thought wasn't possible," she said.

More than an eye for art, Rona believes that every fashion designer must have both style consciousness and a strong work ethic to truly make it in the fierce world of fashion. 

"A fashion designer must have the passion for style, be aware of trends, have an eye for design and a strong sense of balance and proportion. They should also have a strong work ethic, be disciplined to meet deadlines, be professional when meeting clients and be willing to take criticism," she explained.

Rona's timing has never been more perfect. With a growing movement towards reinventing vintage pieces gaining steam right at the onset of this year, the fashion world better be ready to usher in one of this generation's most promising finds. The V-label will undoubtedly be an unstoppable force of fashion that will make vintage transcend from a mere trend to timeless style.

Check out Veronica's Closet at veronicascloset.multiply.com or Re/Dress at http://www.facebook.com/pages/ReDress for more fabulous vintage finds. (FREEMAN)