People

Finer Things

I am a work in progress, but I find that I’ve always had a very clear point of view. Although each season my looks vary, it’s all about wearability and the woman’s sensuality. I was never the experimental designer, my designs are always approachable. I try to refine my collection each season.– Vania Romoff

She walks into the room in a white wrap-dress, cool, calm and collected, her hair in perfect loose waves and her make-up, barely there. “As a designer, I have always been inspired by impossibilities. I believe that what the spirit desires, the spirit attains,” fashion designer, Vania Romoff says as she adjusts a gold pendant bearing her name.

Clearly, she has made no bones about continuing a legacy that her grandmother, Viring, began. She cites Inno Sotto, Jun Escario, Arcy Gayatin, Philip Rodriguez, Oj Hofer, and her brother Anthony Romoff as people who have inspired and shaped her as a designer. But Vania admits that it is her mother, Virgie Romoff, who inspires her the most, and whom she describes as strong and kind, and runs a manufacturing business focusing mostly on uniforms, very well.

Although following in their footsteps, Vania does anything but ride coat tails. Ambition took her from the family nest in Cebu to Manila where she pursued formal training at the School of Fashion and the Arts. Her debut at Philippine Fashion Week in 2009 was well received and had cemented her name as one of the country’s up-and-comers. Her design aesthetic, described by fashion bloggers as “unpretentious, modern and understatedly sophisticated” and “[displaying] an understanding of woman’s fashion,” caught the industry’s attention. This launched Vania into a successful collaboration with retail titan The RAMP at Crossings. Her upcoming collection featuring pieces enthused by vintage Romoff are to exude a Parisian “je ne sais quoi” and inspired by Nouvelle Vague and icons like Jean Seber and Anna Karina. She imagines dressing the women she admires, strong, driven, and multifaceted. “I am obsessed with Carla Bruni Sarcozy, Gwyneth Paltrow, Clemence Poesy, and Lea Seydoux,” she says.

After only six years of designing, the talented twenty-three-year-old racked up quite a number of awards and merits like the CITEM and Manila FAME Fashion Eco Design Award, Preview’s Emerging Fashion Talent Award, and Privè award for Best Couture Designer. In 2010, Vania earned a spot in the prestigious 69 Artists Who Will Change The World, in the Philippine Yearbook.

The exuberant young designer had her work featured in magazines, Zee Lifestyle Magazine included, and she herself has graced the covers of Metro Magazine’s Annual List of Young Women to Watch, Sense and Style Magazine’s Young at Art List 2010, and Mega Magazine’s 10 Women to Watch. This proves that she is not only capable of creating beautiful things but personifying them as well.

Last year, she was handpicked by the Philippine Consulate General of the United States as one of five designers to participate in the International Fashion Tour. This honor allowed Vania to show her Spring/Summer 2012 collection in Seattle and in New York, one of the fashion capitals of the world. Pushed out of her comfort zone and into the big city, Vania was left to her own defenses. She battled anonymity and the New York subway system, an experience the designer regards as unforgettable and amazing. “I flew in alone and had to do everything myself, unlike having a show here in the Philippines where you have friends and family around to help you. Your professionalism had to be in check and your patience, too. I found myself knocking on random doors. I went to Parsons, FIT, Intermix, and CFDA handing out invites to my show. We all have to start from the bottom and we work our way up.”

Not one to be easily discouraged, she takes it as part and parcel of conquering her dreams. “People think [the industry] glamorous, but it’s not all parties and excitement. Critics bash you and put you down but you do what you do anyway. In New York they were like, Who are you? Do you know anyone here? You fail once, you try again. It’s about persistence and resilience. I’ve always known that my dreams are bigger than myself.” She says that as a matter of fact and with a flip of her hair. She searches her black Prada satchel for her keys and thanks us for a great chat with a big smile.

Vania shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. A role model to any aspiring designer for her persistence and determination, it is truly inspirational to see one of our own reach for the stars. She represents not only Cebu, but most importantly, herself in the highest of regards. Her constant strive to be the best she possibly can be all bode great things for Vania Romoff, for whom we can expect even greater things. New York is only the beginning and the sky is hardly the limit.

The Vania Romoff Atelier at 207 – B The Gateway Centre, Paseo de Magallanes, Makati City; Photos of her Spring/Summer 2011 Fashion Show

by Danica Ronquillo
sittings editor David Jones Cua
creative director Mikey Sanchez
photography Jan Gonzales
fashion photography Hannah Bacalla
model Kris Janson
hair and make up Gari Son
locale Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino

Events

The First NUSTAR BALL

Janine Taylor, June Alegrado, Jackie Lotzof, Frances Siao, Ina Ronquillo and Christine Pelaez

The NUSTAR Ballroom, a magnificent venue at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, sets the stage for last night’s first-ever NUSTAR Ball.

Black was the color of night at the Zee table.

Glamorous guests from Manila and Cebu converged at the NUSTAR Ballroom, an exquisite venue within the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu. The evening unfolded with a seated 5-course dinner. The opulent feast started with Beetroot Salmon Gravlax, adorned with caper berries, caviar, set with delicate edible flowers; and a main course of Compressed Pork Belly with Crackling Skin and Baby Scallops. Another highlight was the auction of coveted items like Dior and YSL handbags, a limited-edition Bulgari watch, and an exclusive 2-night stay in Nustar’s opulent 3-bedroom villa—complete with a private pool and a dedicated butler. The charity evening benefited the Cameleon Association, an NGO based in Iloilo City created in 1997 that developed a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children.

Nora Sol, Beth Go, Frances Siao and Marylou Ong

Ina Ronquillo, Maryanne Aboitiz and Jackie Lotzof

Designers Jun Escario and Philip Rodriguez

Philip Rodriguez with NUSTAR Malls two power ladies: May Adolfo and Joanna Salazar

Lana Osmeña with Mariquita Yeung

PJ Castillo and Kaye Abad with Cary Santiago

Drew Sarmiento with LV Manager Adrian Decuigan

Cary Santiago with Eva Gullas

Manila socialites Julie Boschi and Ching Cruz with June Alegrado

It was a night of elegance, luxury, and unforgettable memories as ladies in long gowns and gentlemen in black ties danced the night away.

Design

Filipino graphic designer makes history, joins Switzerland’s Museum of Avant-garde among genre’s greats

PJ Ong of Inodoro, an internationally renowned graphic designer, is the first Filipino whose work will be part of the permanent collection of Switzerland’s Museum of Avant-garde

CEBU CITY — In a groundbreaking achievement, Cebu-based graphic designer and art director PJ Ong of Inodoro Design Studio, is set to become the first Filipino artist permanently exhibited at Museum of Avant-garde (MA-g) in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Cebu-based graphic designer and art director of Inodoro Design Studio, PJ Ong

Ong’s recognition at MA-g places him among over 250 avant-garde artists, including iconic figures like Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp, signifying a profound milestone in museum history.

“Avant-garde,” is a term that refers to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

“I am extremely honored and humbled. It is a remarkable milestone in my creative journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a prominent platform. The acknowledgment, especially considering Switzerland’s exacting standards in art and design, is truly fulfilling,” said Ong.

Part of a stellar contemporary collection

Under the museum’s Contemporary Collection, Ong will join global contemporary agencies such as M/M Paris (collaborator of Icelandic singer-songwriter and composer, Björk), WORK Pte Ltd (brainchild of the “Godfather of Singapore Graphic Design,” Theseus Chan), Bedow (Stockholm), BVD Stockholm AB (Stockholm), Socio Design (London) and Milkxhake (Hong Kong), among others.

Ong’s music packaging design for the Filipino harsh noise duo, White Widow, will be featured in the museum. The band’s album “The God Uterus Dissolves” — released under Melt Records — features an unconventional cassette tape packaging incorporating a hand-crafted wire mesh, elevating it into a unique and bespoke collector’s item.

The museum’s selection process for its Contemporary Collection involved three categories: Graphic Design, Photography, and Illustration. Swiss-Canadian Fritz Gottschalk, a prominent figure in contemporary graphic design, led the Graphic Design category.

“This is profoundly validating for me as a graphic designer. Being part of a museum’s permanent contemporary collection is a lasting testament to my capabilities as an artist,” said Ong.

‘Poetry you can touch’

The graphic designer from Cebu City further defined the album as a “deliberate departure from the ordinary,” stating that it was a testament to the artist’s and band’s dedication to pushing boundaries and offering the audience a unique and immersive experience.

“Careful consideration was given to every detail, including choosing a premium supplier for the cassette tape. Opting for a screen-printed cassette, where design elements were applied directly to the surface, gave it a contemporary and visually striking result, helping us reinforce the design narrative,” said Ong.

“From the cohesive placement of elements to using symbols instead of track titles on the spine and customizing fonts, every aspect was carefully thought out. Rather than opting for the conventional wire mesh treatment on print, I took a bold step by incorporating a hand-crafted wire mesh, adding a unique and sensory dimension to the album — almost like poetry you can touch.”

Profound honor

Established in 2003, Inodoro Design Studio under Ong’s leadership has garnered global acclaim for its bold design philosophy, spanning music, fashion, architecture, culture and technology. In becoming the first Filipino whose work will be on display at the MA-g, Ong stated that it is “particularly humbling.”

“Traditionally, these privileges are given to individuals who have amassed decades of experience, attained mastery in their craft, or even as a posthumous acknowledgment. To be among those selected is a profound and unexpected honor,” he said.

“Museums typically focus on visual artists, and for a graphic designer, especially within the realm of commercial work, recognition can be more elusive. I appreciate the challenges of this less conventional route and I am committed to proving the significance of graphic design in the broader artistic landscape.”

Art enthusiasts can anticipate viewing Ong’s work with “The God Uterus Dissolves” at MA-g, scheduled to open to the general public in 2025.

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About The Museum of Avant-garde (MA-g)

The Museum of Avant-garde compiles an original body of work from private collections, providing a unique perspective on the cultural and artistic significance of avant-garde movements. These movements, synonymous with transformative ideologies and daring experimentations, played a pivotal role in challenging political and societal conventions. For more information, visit www.ma-g.org.

About Inodoro

Inodoro is the creative moniker of graphic designer and art director PJ Ong, a prominent figure in the Philippine design scene. Established in 2003, Inodoro Design Studio, based in Cebu, Philippines, has garnered international recognition for its bold and distinctive design, with a focus on thought-driven imagery and iconic visual language. The studio specializes in identities, custom typography, graphic design and art direction. For more information, visit www.inodoro-design.com.

People

Ladies Who Support Ladies

Women’s Circle is an organization composed of Cebuano ladies who are successful entrepreneurs and top executives. They recently held a fellowship event at the Sheraton Mactan Resort, with special guests from the Women’s Business Council Philippines. Chairperson, Rosemarie Rafael and Council Secretary Cynthia Mamon both flew in from Manila to discuss alliances between the Cebu and Manila groups.

Loot bag from Jo Malone, Sheraton, R&M Chocomanga, gift card from Maayo Clinic, sarong from Ferimar.

The half day event was organized by Perl Jacalan, Gina Atienza and Eva Gullas. Sheraton Resort through its GM Dottie Wugler Cronin supported the event as it is aligned with the hotel’s women initiatives. The successful event was made more fun with generous give-aways, notably Jo Malone perfumes, Sheraton bags, R&M Chocomanga and sarongs from Ferimar.