Lee Cooper's 'Makers': Personal artistry beyond style and fashion

MANILA, Philippines - With rock-and-roll in its DNA, iconic British denim brand Lee Cooper has come to Manlla. The brand launched with a fashion show at the Marriott Hotel last Aug 29. At the event, Lee Cooper unveiled an extensive catalog of jeans, tops and jackets, and introduced a distinguished group of “Makers” — creative, successful and stylish personalities who epitomize Filipino artistry and exemplify Lee Cooper’s commitment to passion and excellence.

Let’s meet Lee Cooper’s “Makers.”

Alex Isip, car restorer

In 1992, Alex Isip set up shop at his family’s four-car garage with a mission to restore his Porsche 924. The restoration went on to win first place In the European Sports Car Category of the 1992 Trans Sport Show. 19 years — and many more trophies and awards later — Alex Isip now heads the team at Alex Restoration, and continues the tradition of quality service, dedication to their craft, and pride in excellence.

Tippi Ocampo, fashion designer

Tippi Ocampo was an award-winning advertising art director, writer and creative director before moving into fashion. She kicked off her design career at the 1999 Concours Internationale des Jeunes Createurs de Mode in Paris. Tippi is currently a board member of the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines, and creates her own fun line of party-ready clothes & cocktail dresses called Prêt-a-party and MTO (Made by Tippi Ocampo).

Roland Laudico, chef

In 2006, chef Roland and Jackie Laudico opened Chef Laudico Bistro Filipino, a place reminiscent of the world’s top restaurants and Filipino in its flavor. Matched with top-notch service, Bistro Filipino puts Filipino cuisine in a modern light. It also serves excellent wines and signature cocktails, and has a patisserie that whips up inspired desserts infused with an indigenous touch. 

Jay Tablante, photographer

Jay Tablante’s professional career started with shooting friends in college. Once, one of his friends submitted the shots to a casting call, and the client asked about the photographer (Jay) and not the model auditioning! Jay’s relationship with photography has now spanned seven years. One often sees superheroes and comic book characters in most of his portfolio, because wherever photography takes him, Jay forever considers himself just a geek with a camera.

Bianca Valerio, makeup artist/fashion model

Bianca Valerio was discovered at 16, by her mentor, Cal Carrie’s Philippines’ Joey Espino. She began modeling professionally at 19, and fashion director Raymond Villanueva discovered her as a host. Bianca then took up makeup, hairstyling and portfolio development at Make-Up Designory, Los Angeles. Her mission as a makeup artist is to make others feel beautiful and good about themselves.

Nadine Howell, artist/restaurateur

Celebrity models with Andrew So and Henry Ng of Lee Cooper

Nadine Howell, 21, is a half-British, half-Filipino beauty. She finished Culinary Arts, and now manages a bar and gallery at Fort Bonifacio called Limbo. She says, “It’s great to work in an environment where you get to talk to so many different kinds of people. By the end of the night, I’m friends with pretty much everybody!” When she’s not whipping up tasty dishes in the kitchen, she is out for some adventure.

Vince Aldanese, brand curator

Vince Aldanese, brand creator, developed and conceptualized the Villa del Conte chocolate store. He provides chocolates with a soul, with character and stories attached to an edited down and manageable number of choices. He invests in brands that speaks to him emotionally and have a story to tell. Together with his partner and wife Rhoda, Villa del Conte has opened stores at Shangri-La, Greenbelt, Resorts World, and TriNoma.

GP Reyes, club owner/eventologist

Manila’s party scene would be dull and dreary without GP Reyes. When not manning the DJ booth, the self-confessed partyphile and eventologist heads his own PR, advertising and events firm, GPR Advertising, and boasts a bevy of prestigious clients such as Century Properties, Izakaya, Tides Hotel Boracay, Republiq, Club Excess, OPUS, Draft Gastropub, PRIVE, BESO, and Cocina Vinoteka.