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A note from the EDITOR
We are thrilled to announce our revamped second issue
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by filling our May-June 2015 with firsts. And what better way to kick off a month of firsts, than with our double cover story? This issue will have two covers individually titled. The Summer Issue will zero in on Fashion Photographer Shaira Luna, while Fashion Designer Leo Almodal will grace the cover of our Bridal Issue. One thing I’ve learned in the industry is that no two women wear the same piece of clothing the same way. That, I believe is the beauty when clothes transitions to real life from magazine page. And thus, I’ve always aim to make Spotted.ph about enhancing a woman’s personal style. Luckily for me, it’s one thing my team has in spades because even though we are in the business of trends, the Spotted.ph staff isn’t make up of slavish followers of the runway’s many dictates. Instead, they bring their own character to their own wardrobes. I am so proud of my team and sincerely hope that I have been able to inspire them.
We look forward to being a part of your daily dose of fashion. Thank you for being the greatest, most fashionable readers in the Philippines and around the world. 2
THE TEAM
Von Oneil Buenconsejo Editor-In-Chief Raymund Seranillo Managing Editor Emir Delos Santos Business Director Pol Tapia | Julius Uy Editor at Large Guillano Valenzuela Beauty Director Yenyen Navalta Dansei Manalo Fashion Editors Cinqo Media Inc. Layout
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Herbert Ikan Videographer
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Cover Story
“The Man behind the Pink Gown� by: Eca Ngui
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Models: Julia Quisumbing of PrimaStella Mgt and Svetlana Fokina of Ideal People Model Management Creative Directors: Raymund Seranillo & Sebastian Sanglay Photographer: Von Oneil Buenconsejo Styling: Aisa Ipac Make-up: Guillano Valenzuela using Royal Effem Cosmetics Assistant make up: Danielle Leonardo Hair: J San Miguel
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Sweetheart neckline embellished red velvet gown
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P
ink, black, red, blue... these
were the colors strewn across the floor as I painstakingly decide what to wear during my interview for this particular issue of Spotted. ph. We have two covers this time, two geniuses in their own right, both artists, but in two different fields. Oops, no clue! Read them both.
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So let me go back, the clock was ticking fast and my last internal debate was between heels over flats. I don’t want to end up with a broken ankle so the flats won. Maybe you are wondering why it’s such a big deal for me to wear something nice. Don’t we always have to look nice? Yes and.. I don’t know. I will leave that up for debate. I wanted to look nice because the man I was to interview happens to be an international fashion designer. Who wants to look like a poor sob creature in front of an international fashion designer? Nobody! Right? Exactly! But the funny thing was when he arrived and we got to talk, I realize that it’s a good thing my flats won... because he turned out to be one of the most down-to-earth person I have met my entirely life. And this is his story. Beginnings Leo Almodal knew he could draw at the age six. He came home straight from preparatory school one day, took a framed picture off their wall and copied it to a t. It was a picture of the Virgin Mary. “I showed it to Mama and she was shocked,” he happily recalled. “I remember her being proud and she showed it to all her friends and customers.” The proud Cebuano added. His parents worked 3 jobs – farmer, tailor and dressmaker – to support their family, and being the 8th of nine children, he was accustomed to having next to nothing. “As the 8th child, all my things were hand-me-down, I didn’t even have a bag,” Leo admitted. As bleak as the situation may seem for anyone, the young Leo didn’t demand. He understood how hard life really is at such a young age and became more determined to succeed. By watching his parents sew night and day, Leo practically grew up with a thimble on his thumb. He took up Bachelor in Elementary Education in college and started accepting fashion designing jobs, any 10 decent job for that matter- to support his
studies. “I went into flower arranging, designing basketball and volleyball jerseys, designing dresses for local muses... anything that I could earn money from, even making flash cards of the teachers to use in their classes, anything.” Leo insisted. His diligence eventually paid off when he graduated Magna cum Laude in 2004. With a Magna cum Laude title under his belt, Leo was extremely hopeful. He thought he would be a teacher, he knew he wanted to become one but sadly, he couldn’t land on any job. With little money left and five failed job application, Leo was disappointed until he saw a job opening on a newspaper that changed his life. Wanted Fashion Designer Wanted Fashion Designer. No experience needed. Basic knowledge on tailoring preferred – those were the words he saw that day. Leo knew he had to take a leap of faith and apply, so he did. Two days after, he got the job in the bridal boutique. Working as a fashion designer in that company came natural for Leo, his talent for making beautiful gowns and dresses opened him an opportunity to work abroad. “A group of Arab men came in one day and asked for my designs, I thought they were customers so I showed them my work. They asked me to meet them the following day and was so surprised when they began talking about salary. Apparently, I was hired. I arrived in Bahrain, three weeks after” Leo said. Leo worked in Bahrain as a fashion designer for three and a half years, a year as a jewelry designer in Cebu for a French company and another three and a half years as a fashion designer in Dubai. His hobby turned into passion, his passion in turn fueled him to be a better artist; a real fashion designer in every sense of the word and a better and faithful son to his parents. “I have clothed royalties in Dubai. For me, as long as I can make beautiful clothes for them and I can make them feel lovely, and I can send money back to my parents and continue to help the people I promised I would... it was enough for me. I was happy with that.” Leo sincerely said. The Painful Birth of Almodal
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Sequined sheer panel red gown
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Deep v- neck fully beaded and sequined black serpentina- cut gown
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Ombre effect black sequined gown with lace appliques
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Modern fairy tale sweetheart neckline white embellished tulle gown with floral appliques
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Sequined and beaded dark grey gown with scaled bottom
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Dark grey sclaed velvet gown
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Fully beaded and sequined white serpentina gown
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The mothers he trained to be seamstress for Almodal, their families and his family. “Looking back, I am very grateful to God for providing me everything, for helping me stand up again.” Leo humbly said. The Future of Almodal According to Leo, Fashion for him is something people can relate to and he carries that over to every design he makes for Almodal. “My design mantra has always been about intricate details, aesthetically appealing but not loud and it always, always has to have a story to tell. Every Almodal gown, every Almodal dress, every Almodal jewelry has to be a masterpiece but still be wearable.” Leo proudly stated. At 32 years old and now 15 years in the business, it can be said that Leo has indeed come a long way. From a poverty stricken childhood to
international fashion designer status, it may seem Leo has undeniably walked on both worlds but he’s not stopping anytime soon. “I am praying that God will make Almodal be an international haute couture brand with branches all over the world because I want to help even more people... because I know how hard life is, I know what it’s like to be poor. And I want to help improve as many lives as I can.” Leo said with utmost honesty. I honestly believe that Leo Almodal genuinely understands people and sincerely interacts with them. No buts, no ifs, just pure sincerity. He wears his heart on his sleeve and carries a burning torch for fashion designing everywhere he goes. Before we ended the interview, I asked him his advice for young designers, and once again he amazed me by his answer; he said...
“Do not give up but be realistic. If you see that you have talent and skill then continue doing it. But if you think that you are lacking in skill and the only reason you want it is because you want to be somebody else, then you will just waste your time. God has given us our own destinies, we have to follow that path and not try to be somebody else.” MAY- JUN 2015
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ny real artist would know how important artistic freedom is to an artist’s soul, but for the likes of Leo who have worked for other people for a long period time, the limitations eventually took a toll. “I don’t want be boxed anymore, I wanted to explore and freely do my designs. So I came back here a year and a half ago to establish Almodal” Leo said. Though eternally grateful for his previous jobs abroad, Leo took another huge leap of faith to start anew. But unknown to him, the decision nearly cost him everything. “Establishing my company in Manila from scratch is extremely hard. Mishaps happened one after the other and there were a lot of things that almost made me quit. Almost made me jump off a bridge.” Leo confessed. What saved Leo from the brink of desperation was the realization that there were people who’s counting on him to succeed.
Wow. And that is what I call real talk.
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Bridal
A Mid Summer Bride’s Dream
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Bridal ed Model: Filipa Oliveira Creative Director: Raymund Seranillo Photographer: Von Oneil Buenconsejo Styling: Yenyen Navalta & Dansei Kun of Team Yensei Make-up: Guillano Valenzuela Hair: Kenjie Nocillado Location: La Mesa Eco Park
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Red Gown by Kaye Morales Earrings by Christopher Munar 27
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Red Gown by Rex Nicdao Earrings by Christopher Munar 28
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Gown by Albert Andrada Earrings by Christopher Munar
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Gown by Rex Nicdao Earrings by UberFinds
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Gown by Albert Andrada Earrings by UberFinds
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Gown by Rex Nicdao Earrings by Christopher Munar 33
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Gown by Pat Santos Earrings by UberFinds 34
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Gown by Rex Nicdao Earrings by Christopher Munar
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Gown by Rex Nicdao Earrings by Christopher Munar 36
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