Apparel | Monday, February 22, 2010

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SUCCESS WITH SUPIMA: Robin Tomas in the news

By CeCe Shelburne

NEW YORK—The Philippine fashion press can’t stop writing about hometown hero Robin Tomas.

Most recently, Christine Dychiao ran a lengthy Q&A with the winner of Supima’s recent competition to reinvent the men’s T-shirt. (Tomas’ winning design will be sold alongside the Supima Collection of unisex T-shirts and tops being sold in Bloomingdale’s.)

Here, in an article titled ROBIN TOMAS GETS HIS SHIRT ON, also posted on The Philippine Star website, is some of what the young designer had to say:

NEW YORK — Six emerging labels and the seven talented young designers behind them were given a chance to send their capsule collections down the runway to an audience of buyers, editors, retailers, and fashion influencers, at the Supima Design Competition last Jan. 19.

The design contest, sponsored by Supima (which stands for Superior Pima cotton and the association representing American pima cotton growers) was held at The Times Center in Manhattan’s Garment District.

This annual event is meant to showcase the next generation of fashion talent and the possibilities of Supima cotton.

All finalists were provided with models, hairstylists and makeup artists, and generously supplied with Supima fabrics, which come from the same mills that supply licensees like Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, and Lilly Pulitzer.

All six finalists presented three pieces of women’s evening wear and a T-shirt design to a panel of judges — industry heavyweights composed of Teri Agins of The Wall Street Journal, Simon Collins of Parsons School of Design, Chris Frye of Bloomingdale’s, Horacio Silva of The New York Times and Buxton Midyette of Supima.

NYU art graduate and designer Gina de Silva won “Best in Show” while our very own Robin Tomás, a product of Parsons, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger and J.Crew — and son of comedienne Tessie Tomas — bagged the “Best in T-shirt” award.

His design, an innovative triple-layered piece, will be produced and sold at Bloomingdale’s.

Still reeling from his win and the realization of what he has accomplished, On The Radar spoke to Robin about his jump from advertising to fashion, the design competition, his future plans, and what a T-shirt made of lightweight Supima has put on his shoulders.

PHILIPPINE STAR: You graduated with a degree in graphic design from UP Diliman and worked in advertising. Was it an easy transition into fashion?

ROBIN TOMAS: I didn’t immediately know I would be in the fashion industry. But it was definitely an easy transition for me as both industries rely heavily on one’s creative idea balanced with knowing one’s market/audience/client.

What was the turning point or catalyst that made you decide to shift from advertising to fashion?

A big chunk of the decision was my torrid love affair with New York City, and the thought that fashion was a passion I could nurture in New York. Fashion gave me the avenue to be creative and the freedom to individuate as an artist.

What made you decide to go to Parsons?

I decided to go to Parsons in 2000, after having worked in the advertising industry in Manila for two years after college. I fell in love with Parsons and was thrilled with the alumni (Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Anna Sui, the Proenza Schouler tandem, etc.)

Are there designers who inspire you?

I look up to Ann Demeulemeester of Antwerp, Tom Ford, YSL, Valentino.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I look to nature, happy accidents, a rare coral, an exotic flower’s pistil, how the sun hits Riverside Drive from bay windows at dusk, etc. And most of the time, fabrics speak volumes in terms of designs.

You showed during Manila Fashion Week and recently started a couture line in Manila. Where are you selling there and how is it doing?

We are in the stages of looking to consigning pieces, and beginning to work for special couture projects for clients in Manila.

You are still based in New York. Are you still working here apart from doing your own line back home?

Yes, I still work on projects for fashion companies and clients here in New York and at the same time selling my collection to the New York market.

To read the rest of the article, click here.