People

Here’s Why Designer Elaine Cooper’s Latest Showroom is Heaven

With a newly opened showroom and an impressive history under her belt, Elaine Cooper is one personality in design that’s determined to rise with the industry and leave a personal mark.

Elaine Cooper takes us through her newly launched showroom just before she sits down to pose for the photo. Housed in a raw-finished room in one of the newer buildings in IT Park, the collection of furniture and décor ranges from fun and colorful, to sleek and sophisticated.

“I have a particular look in my mind when I go around looking for pieces,” Elaine explains, sharing that the pieces were sourced from various showrooms around the country, mostly from Manila. “Sometimes I get inspired with a certain concept, and I go hunting for the pieces to compose a setting.”

The showroom is Elaine’s answer to the growing real estate and construction industries in Cebu. With so many developments and buildings popping up in the city, there was an inevitable rise in the demand for bespoke lifestyle furnishings. “Also, there was the awareness that there is not one place like this yet in Cebu,” she adds.

Although she is someone who thrives on her sensibilities for design, Elaine is foremost a businesswoman. Since she started Elaine Cooper Design around 20 years ago, she has moved through various aspects of the design industry—the result is a well-rounded offering of services, amassed from years of continuously adapting to meet clients’ needs.

“I started from visual merchandising for a department store, to arranging furniture pieces for a local furniture chain. They had clients who didn’t know how to arrange the furniture after their purchase, and they would ask for help,” recalls Elaine, who had actually graduated with a degree in fashion design from Slim’s School of Fashion in Manila. “My training in fashion design came very handy in doing interior work. They have similar disciplines. Both require a play of colors and textures. In fashion, you study your client’s physique and character when designing an outfit. In interiors, you need to understand the space and the over-all concept to effectively deliver the design.”

From then on, she worked with clients to develop her skill, and addressed her lack of technical training with research and advice from friends in the industry. “I was learning as I went along,” she continues. “I took note of past mistakes, learning from them.”

Now, Elaine has a network of suppliers that allow her to work with clients more efficiently—she provides curtains for large-scale projects such as Radissson Blu and Marriott in Cebu, and also makes uniforms for hotel staff. “We did Shangri-la’s pioneering batch for their back-of-the-house staff, as well as Marriott and Waterfront,” she adds.

As for her interior work, Elaine describes her aesthetic as one that is constantly evolving. “I still have yet to find a word to describe it. It depends on the mood I’m in for the moment,” she admits. “One moment I’m so taken by Juan Luna’s The Parisian Life, and the next I’m staring with excitement at a piece of corroded metal I picked up from a project site.”

Contributing to this constant change is the fact that Elaine believes the design process begins with the client. “First I interview the client, then do an ocular and research,” she says, emphasizing that personality and preference play a big role in her designs. As a result, she has begun to develop lasting relationships with the people she’s worked with. “It makes it easier, too, because I already know their taste and they already know how I work,” she laughs.

These personal connections, she believes, is how she remains competitive in the industry, and what really brings her fulfillment. “At the end of the day, projects will come to an end but friendships are there for a lifetime,” Elaine declares. “I think it’s more valuable to be appreciated as a person, rather than just being their designer.”

For now, Elaine Cooper is happy where she is, and as she poses for the camera, we give her some pointers on how to avoid a nervous-looking smile in the photo. “Just pretend that you’re admiring all the work you’ve done here,” I tell her, gesturing at the beautiful pieces she put together in the space. She laughs—considering the story of how she got where she is, I don’t think any pretending was necessary to show admiration.

Photography by Nath Ybanez

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.