Oliver Tolentino at Palm Springs

MANILA, Philippines - Hollywood-based fashion designer Oliver Tolentino’s designs were a hit at the Fashion Week El Paseo’s 10th anniversary event last weekend at Palm Springs, California, that kicked off Southern California’s most prestigious fashion week, sponsored by Palm Springs Life magazine and the Saxony Group.

Oliver showed alongside respected designers Gilbert Chagoury, Anthony Franco, Kevan Hall, Candace Held, Lloyd Klein, Eduardo Lucero and Trina Turk. Each designer showed 10 to 12 looks. Oliver’s collection of 12 gowns closed the show in front of an audience of 1,000 people along El Paseo Drive, known as the “Rodeo Drive of Palm Springs.”

In addition to his dramatic couture, Oliver brought pieces of his native Philippines to the proceedings. The runway music featured songs by Sylvia La Torre (Golpe de Gulat and Katuwaan). Oliver’s Filipina supermodel muse Tutay Maristela (pictured) opened and closed his collection including two looks of intricate piña gowns made of calado from Lumban that took many months to create.

Oliver is now in San Francisco to host a series of trunk shows, March 26 to 30. In April, he will be working out of his Manila boutique. (For more information, visit: http://www.olivertolentino.com.  — PHOTOS BY HYDEE ABRAHAN