When designer Noel Deleon expressed interest in a career in the fashion sector, his father was less than impressed.
"My dad did not like it at all. So I told him I was going to take a design course after high school -- he thought it was an architect course but really it was fashion design," recalls Deleon with a laugh.
One of Deleon's formal gowns on the RWB's Grace Hanley.
But after he won a best-design prize for a gown he created for a beauty pageant in the Philippines, Deleon's dad warmed up to his son's career choice.
Since then, Deleon has gone on to become one of the most sought-after gown designers in the Filipino community, not to mention one of the talented costumers at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the co-winner of this year's Project Runway Winnipeg design competition.
Deleon's consistent attention to detail is what earned him the top spot in the competition -- that and his ability to turn anything from lace doilies to sheer drapes into an exquisite dress, of course.
Among my favourite garments of those he created for the competition was a cute little skirt and top made from those doilies -- a perfect outfit to wear in the summertime heat. And to top off the outfit of thrift-store finds, he made a cropped jacket out of a couple of placemats.
But it was an evening gown made from an old sequinned top and a couple of drapes that absolutely wowed me. Deleon reworked the top -- which started off as a short-sleeved crew neck -- into a spaghetti-strap number with a plunging neckline. He then painstakingly cut the drapes into tear-shaped appliqués that were sewn on individually to make a skirt that looked like feathers.
A grad dress
According to Deleon, evening gowns are his specialty and what he has always loved and wanted to create.
"I can remember my mom sewing, seeing her make gowns and how she did the sequin work, and I knew I wanted to do that," says the designer.
Deleon's gowns are in huge demand for young woman looking for something elegant and one of a kind to wear on their "coming of age" day or debut -- a cultural tradition in the Filipino community where young women celebrate their 18th birthdays with a huge party and cotillion.
The designer also creates the debutante gowns each year for the Filipino community in Minneapolis, not to mention the traditional Baro't Saya dress that was popularized by former first lady Imelda Marcos.
What I love about his dresses and gowns is their femininity. They have this sort of whimsical, flowy look to them that would make any woman feel like a princess.
If you're interested in one Deleon's custom-created evening or wedding gowns, you can contact the designer at 204-795-0707. His gowns will also be featured at the upcoming Guardian Angels Benefit for Women's Cancer fashion show this fall.
connietamotofashion@hotmail.com
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