The exhibit, auction and show staged by his friends at the Marriott Manila for the benefit of ailing fashion designer Frederick Peralta have so far generated close to P300,000. But knowing him, he would have surely put his own stamp on the series of events if he could, which would have defeated the raison d’être for such a worthy endeavor. That’s Frederick for you—a consummate artist, shrewd businessman, faithful friend and control freak.
By Alex Y. Vergara
Had he been well enough to attend, fashion designer Frederick Peralta would have relished the show lovingly staged for him by dear friends Barge Ramos, Ogee Atos, Yvette Bautista, Bambi Camus, Marco Camus and Dong Omaga Diaz yesterday evening at one of Marriott Manila’s function rooms.
Frederick, one of the most driven and dedicated designers I know in my decades of covering the fashion scene, live for these moments. But knowing him, he would have surely put his own stamp on it if he could, which would have defeated the raison d’être for such a worthy endeavor. That’s Frederick for you—a consummate artist, shrewd businessman, faithful friend and control freak.
But since he lives in Quezon City, and given the huge volume of traffic on a rainy Friday afternoon, one of his trusted caregivers wisely opted not to allow the ailing Frederick, who had a stroke earlier this year, to attend the tribute of sorts staged for him, says Barge, also a designer, and one of Frederick’s closest friends in the industry.
In the end, “Federico,” an exhibit-auction (which will run until tomorrow, June 10) of some of the prolific designer’s best works, was able to generate almost P300,000 on its first day alone. The idea was hatched among Frederick’s friends fairly recently when Marriott offered the space to them for three days for free. Known for its regular bridal fashion shows dubbed “Weddings at the Marriott,” the hotel has always had a soft spot for Frederick whom they had featured in several solo events in the past, including his 30th year anniversary show in 2014.
“Thanks to the overwhelming support of friends in the industry and Frederick’s clients, the event was fairly successful,” Barge shares. “But we’re not done yet. There are still plenty of clothes that collectors and fashionistas can choose from today and tomorrow. In fact, there are still quite a number of boxes containing Frederick’s clothes that we have yet to go through.”
The funds, which are being managed by Frederick’s sister and a doctor-friend, will go a long way in funding Frederick’s medication, home care and stroke rehab. The designer, through his sister, had to close his shop soon after suffering a stroke. They also had to sell his sewing machines to help defray the cost of his initial hospitalization and ongoing treatment. The designer is also under treatment for depression.
Apart from the dresses and ballgowns displayed on mannequins, including a replica of Frederick’s winning piece in a major design contest in Paris in the late ’90s, 48 pieces were showcased in a salon-style fashion presentation at the hotel.
“We tapped 22 female and two male models,” says Barge a day after the show. “They had at least two exposures each. So all in all, we were able to show close to 50 pieces.”
Dom Martin Gomez OSB, aka former top designer Gang Gomez, reportedly made the winning bid for Frederick’s first prize creation. The Benedictine monk is in charge of the “Kasuotang Filipino” wing of the soon-to-open Transfiguration Monastery Museum in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
Frederick, whose memory has also been understandably affected and diminished by stroke, needs all the help he could get since it would take a bit more time for the designer to get back on his feet again.
“Physically, yes, he’s gaining a bit of weight and looking better,” Barge shares. “His appetite is good and he can now eat by himself. He needs some support though from other people to stand up and walk. Mentally, that’s the challenge. His good friend, Dr. Dale Avellanosa, said the it may take two years before Frederick can be back to normal again.”
Meanwhile, friends (and the designer has a lot) are thinking of staging more benefit events for their dear Frederick. Designer Tonichi Nocom, former president of the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP), which Frederick is a member of, got excited while watching the Marriott show.
“He later told me that, together with Albert and Dong, he would push for a gala fundraiser for Frederick before the year ends featuring the works of other FDCP designers. That’s definitely something to look forward to,” says Barge.
Apart from photos showing mannequins dressed in Frederick Peralta’s more exquisite and labor-intensive pieces, photos featuring models wearing the designer’s dresses are courtesy of Barge Ramos. You have until today and tomorrow, June 10, to catch “Federico” exhibit, sale and auction of Frederick Peralta’s clothes, including men’s wear, at the Marriott Manila.
