A jean-ious and more

True, that all that glitters is not necessarily gold. However, for Louie Claparols, all that glitters may just well be sparkling on every fashionable leg. Blame it on Jlo – that ghetto glam mania has launched a thousand studs and rhinestones on almost everything. If the recession has caught you turning a blind eye on every jeweler in town, consider this as a fab sub to add sparkle and spank (and really hit it hard) to your look 24/7.

Denim drama is nothing new. However, Louie Claparols’ denim art is. And its artistry and distinctiveness command every conscientious fashion citizen to take heed. "It all started in high school. I did prom dresses for all my friends. Aside from creating dresses, I also took to buying some beads and a needle. I also joined the Paris competition in 1999. Then a year ago, I did some beadwork again for a friend, orders just came in, and that’s been that ever since," Louie says in an almost schoolboyish fashion. "Hopefully, I can start a small retail company sometime soon."

Louie, who is part of the Paul Smith team, is definitely in good hands as he finds himself in a dynamic and creative environment. Soft-spoken and almost timid, Louie lets his designs exhibit his inner boldness.

Leica Carpo, who is one of Louie’s fans, gushes, "His work has a vintage feel yet possesses a modern edge. He uses graphic elements but he’s also got old buttons, beads and denim. He is a genius in mixing the old and the new."

True to Leica’s words, Louie’s works are definitely eye-catching as he uses his favorite subjects (birds, butterflies and flowers) in the most unique way possible. His designs are head-turning and paparazzi-inviting. I first heard of Louie when Frances or Xeng Zulueta, Shu Uemura’s makeup artist-in-residence vixen (who models his wares for this feature,) strutted her stuff in Aquario a few weeks ago. Intrigued I was, and quickly stalked Louie for a story.

I realized that Louie wasn’t all about bejeweled blues. He is also a wizard in hewing one-of-a-kind tops that challenge the imagination when it comes to fab. Louie uses rather simple fabrics and shapes as foundation pieces which he then proceeds to bedeck with unexpected accents (such as gauze, paint and whatever else comes to mind) to create pieces that put the sick in basic.

Louie’s pieces speak for themselves and he emerges as another fight man to consider.

Louie Claparols is currently is doing made-to-order pieces. The price of his beadwork depends on the job, but starts at P2,000 apiece. Call 0916-5022927.