Tolentino Takes on Los Angeles, Lee Opens Beach Bridal Shop

An Oliver Tolentino gown

One story that never gets old is the one of the immigrant who makes it big in America. Oliver Tolentino may be on his way to realizing that dream. Last month the 38-year-old Filipino designer opened an atelier at 9003 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood, just a couple of blocks away from the high-profile retail street Robertson Boulevard. He plans to make a bigger debut at Los Angeles Fashion Week. He is scheduled to produce a runway show of his fashions on Oct. 16.

Tolentino made his reputation in his hometown of Manila, where he designed gowns for popular entertainers such as Kuh Ledesma and Regine Velasquez. His primary residence now is in Los Angeles. He said he moved here to take inspiration from a world-class fashion city and compete against some of the best designers. “It is every designer’s dream is to make it here,” he said.

He still runs an atelier in Manila that employs 35 people. When he compares American design to his native land’s industry, he said American patternmaking is complex, however Filipino style offers intricate embroidery and unique fabrics such as silk-like pineapple fiber. His atelier offers relatively low prices for custom-made fashions. Custom-made wedding dresses and gowns start at $3,000. Tolentino’s Los Angeles atelier also offers ready-to-wear and the men’s traditional Filipino special-occasions shirt called the Barong Tagalog. For more information, visit olivertolentino.com

Bridal and couture stores seem to be on the move. Bridalwear designer Jenny Lee recently debuted her self-named flagship boutique, Jenny Lee at Crystal Cove Promenade, located across the street from the breathtakingly beautiful Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach, Calif.

The boutique features Swarovski crystal chandeliers, and women can enjoy a flute of champagne at the boutique’s Bebe Bar while they get fitted for custom bridal dresses or evening dresses. Lee will keep her factory and offices in Los Angeles. For more information, visit jennyleebridal.net

An Oliver Tolentino gown

One story that never gets old is the one of the immigrant who makes it big in America. Oliver Tolentino may be on his way to realizing that dream. Last month the 38-year-old Filipino designer opened an atelier at 9003 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood, just a couple of blocks away from the high-profile retail street Robertson Boulevard. He plans to make a bigger debut at Los Angeles Fashion Week. He is scheduled to produce a runway show of his fashions on Oct. 16.

Tolentino made his reputation in his hometown of Manila, where he designed gowns for popular entertainers such as Kuh Ledesma and Regine Velasquez. His primary residence now is in Los Angeles. He said he moved here to take inspiration from a world-class fashion city and compete against some of the best designers. “It is every designer’s dream is to make it here,” he said.

He still runs an atelier in Manila that employs 35 people. When he compares American design to his native land’s industry, he said American patternmaking is complex, however Filipino style offers intricate embroidery and unique fabrics such as silk-like pineapple fiber. His atelier offers relatively low prices for custom-made fashions. Custom-made wedding dresses and gowns start at $3,000. Tolentino’s Los Angeles atelier also offers ready-to-wear and the men’s traditional Filipino special-occasions shirt called the Barong Tagalog. For more information, visit olivertolentino.com

Bridal and couture stores seem to be on the move. Bridalwear designer Jenny Lee recently debuted her self-named flagship boutique, Jenny Lee at Crystal Cove Promenade, located across the street from the breathtakingly beautiful Crystal Cove State Park in Newport Beach, Calif.

The boutique features Swarovski crystal chandeliers, and women can enjoy a flute of champagne at the boutique’s Bebe Bar while they get fitted for custom bridal dresses or evening dresses. Lee will keep her factory and offices in Los Angeles. For more information, visit jennyleebridal.net

Jenny Lee flagship boutique at Crystal Cove Promenade