Outer space she may have not explored but Yvonne discovered a different world where she would be one of the precious gems – the world of fashion and design. "After I joined Inno Sotto’s class at the College of St. Benilde, I decided I wanted to design clothes. So I shifted to Fashion Design and Merchandising from Interior Design," declares Yvonne.
This decision started a flourishing career for her. In 1999 while juggling school work and designing projects, Yvonne joined the Makuhari Asian Fashion Competition in Japan and was given the Japan Airlines award. The same year also marked her entry to the prestigious Young Designers Guild of the Philippines (YDG).
Despite her achievements, Yvonne did not allow these to get into her head. Her humility was rewarded with more and more blessings. In 2000, she showcased her artistic abilities in the Philippine Fashion Design Competition (PFDC) in the apparel category and bagged the grand prize.
"When I heard that there was going to be an accessory division in the PFDC, I joined again in 2005 and was lucky enough to be the winner," she shares. Yvonne is most known for her beaded art pieces which "follow no pattern but are neatly and creatively sewn into."
Like any artist, Yvonne shares, "I’m most inspired when I have no worries and when I’m happy and comfortable in my home or with friends."
Just last year, she staged her first one-woman show of paintings, sculpture and wearable art called Infernal Desire Machines. Born to a family of natural artists, Yvonne says, "My dad’s a mechanical engineer and my mom could be called an artist. My four brothers are also inclined to the arts. As I became older, I slowly became interested in becoming an artist as well. I just never thought though that my medium would be fabrics."
Regular clients visit Yvonne at her shop in Pasig or check out her stuff in Firma Greenbelt, Fiber and Felicity in Shangri-La Edsa. "I’m also an accessory design consultant for Citem," she adds.
Still, the lovable designer finds time to unwind and feel the comforts she surely deserves. "I love playing with our dog, Vinter. I also love going back to Cebu and stay at home with my family," says Yvonne. She adds, "What keeps me grounded? Erwin Romulo (her husband of more than a year), my family and friends. They remind me of who I really am."
At 30, Yvonne has dropped the idea of someday orbiting the moon, but found a better road. After all, Yvonne’s stellar achievement is having people trust her to design for them. – Jerni May Camposano