...the singer's designer

Pinoy designer tapped to make costumes for US singer's video

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

April 26, 2011

Oliver Tolentino (L) designed outrageous, Liberace-inspired costumes for 'male Lady Gaga,' Cee Lo Green (Photos of Tolentino courtesy of fashionweekelpaseo.com and AP for Green)

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino has been tapped by “Forget You” singer Cee Lo Green to design the costumes for the latter’s upcoming music video, “I Want You.”


In an interview published on abs-cbnnews.com on April 26, Tolentino said that Green’s stylist approached him for the project as “there are only a few people who can do these outrageous costumes.”


According to the designer, Green’s music video adapts a Liberace-inspired theme. The late Liberace was a successful American entertainer and pianist known for the flamboyant costumes he wears in his performances.

While the costumes were designed in Hollywood, Tolentino said these were all proudly Philippine-made.


“Everything he will be wearing were all made in the Philippines. Out of this world. Matutuwa talaga ang manonood,” he said.


The Orani, Bataan-native designed two costumes for Green. The first, as described by abs-cbnnews.com, was “a robin egg blue suit embellished with embroidery and Swarovski crystals” and highlights a turquoise “’furry’ overcoat made of Philippine raw silk cocoon from Aklan.”


“So makikita niyo sa video, angat na angat. Para siyang fur pero it's not,” he described.


The second costume was described as a “bright red suit embellished with gold embroidery, beads, and Swarovski crystals” that “features a Liberace-inspired cape of peacock fabric and gold embroidery.”


Aside from Green’s costumes, Tolentino designed dresses for the video’s “princess,” model Ivey Mansel.


The designer extended his thanks to his Filipino tailors, embellishers and cutters for making the outfits “very well.” He also reportedly personally attended to the shoot in Las Vegas and described working for the music video as enjoyable.


Tolentino recently made waves across the international fashion scene after holding a successful show in Los Angeles’ El Paseo Fashion Week last March, where he was cited its “Designer of the Week.” He is also the first Philippines-based designer whose clothing line has reached the USA, and is famed for the use of sustainable fabrics and other eco-friendly materials.