The true mark of being an established artist is when you are secure enough to share the spotlight with others. This is what designer Lulu Tan Gan, creative director of L Manila, was able to do when, alongside her vision of creating a global Filipino brand, she introduced Solenn Heussaff, the preview collection.
French-Filipina designer Solenn Heussaff joins a very eclectic and elite group of Filipino forward thinkers, L Manila’s homegrown innovators who put a modern and hip flair to Filipino fashion. L Manila takes inspiration from Filipino costumes, art and history, and translates it into what’s global and oh-so-now.
“You get the high style and exclusivity of designer pieces without the wait,” says Lulu Tan Gan, proud of her gallery at Greenbelt 5 where, aside from Solenn’s preview collection, you can get designer pieces from Puey Quinones, Danilo Franco, Barge Ramos, Oj Hofer, and Louie Claparols. This, aside from Lulu Tan Gan’s limited editions of knit, tulle, and piña fashions.
Known for her body paint Rogue covers, makeup artist for French cosmetics brand Make Up for Ever and assistant designer for Tan Gan Limited Edition, Solenn is a sought-after face that has launched a thousand brands. This time though, she uses her skills in style to push a Filipino brand onto a global audience.
“My name comes from Selena, meaning goddess of the moon. When I think of the moon, I also think of the beach as it is where I enjoy most watching the sky that is so clear. I wanted all my shoes to be gladiator style, something a goddess would wear, but with a modern twist,” seduces Solenn.
Why shoes? “I’ve always enjoyed sketching shoes, and trying all my mother’s shoes when I was still very young. After taking up fashion design in Paris, I wanted to venture into shoes one day. An outfit isn’t complete without the accessories and shoes. Growing up with Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe collection, who wouldn’t get into them, too?”
And who wouldn’t want to walk into Solenn’s shoes?