Alan Del Rosario: Creating a Global Unification of Fashion the Second Time Around
Alan Del Rosario describes his clothes as sexy, flowing gowns with unexpected touches of leather, lace, and trim. Fun, billowy ball skirts worn with intricate sexy tops. Ruffles, both soft and starched, cascading out the backs of corseted gowns. And I agree whole-heartedly. But when I visited Alan Del Rosario’s place several weeks ago, I saw more than just that. I saw a warm, caring individual who had been through a lot just to get back what he had lost.
I heard about Alan Del Rosario through Adrienne Janic, a Ford model who is the co-host of TLC’sOverhaulin’. She sang Alan’s praises as a designer. I was compelled to interview him. While at Alan’s studio, I observed his design team diligently working to meet what seemed like an impossible deadline. Alan was going to be launching his new couture line at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in a couple of weeks.
I was immediately taken by the combination of styles and the delicate choices of fabrics. I asked Alan to shed some light on his new collections and to explain what had happened with his first line . . . why he had to make a comeback in the fashion world.
Alan Del Rosario used to be a Civil Engineer back in the Philippines. He had just finished a big project and decided he needed a little break, which led him to an early retirement and the start of a brand new career. A friend of his urged him to look into the film industry since his family had connections there. Ultimately, he ended up in fashion design.
“I came to USA to check on some schools, and accidentally went to a fashion school. It just hit me that this was what I had been looking for all my life. Back home, we’re not conditioned to explore our creativity, but a friend of mine had noticed that I was into more creative things and recommended that I look into the fashion institutes.”
At one of those fashion institutes, after just getting out of the elevator, Alan had overheard that a student had just won the Bob Macke award.
“This was a prestigious award where the faculty nominates 10 out of 500 students. Those 10 students have to submit their portfolios, while prestigious people in the fashion industry judge them on their work. Later that year, I was fortunate enough to have won that award myself. But it didn’t hit me until years later when I realized that the moment when I saw the value of the student who had won the award, there was a part of me that knew my own work will be even better—and it was a lot of work, but when you’re passionate about something, it becomes easy.”
Because Alan already had a college degree, he was placed in the institute’s accelerated program, where basically everything you’re supposed to learn in one year, you’re supposed to learn in two. Alan’s 2nd quarter consisted of both creative and sketching classes, which proved to be extremely challenging.
“It was a challenge, but it was probably one of the best years because that same year I won the award for my advanced program, and was sent to Europe to pick out hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of fabric.”
This is Alan’s second attempt at designing his own line. His first line was called “Del Rosario” and was not as high end as his Alan Del Rosario line is today. His new line is couture, while the other was more contemporary.
“I started Del Rosario with baby steps. My family helped me with the financing. When I won the 1st place designer for Gen Art, it increased my demand. When the orders came as a result of my award, I was only able to fill half of them—I just couldn’t deliver. I was trying to get backers, and I was so close until 911 happened. So, instead of digging myself even deeper in debt, I decided to close the business. Soon after, I had another chance to do the Relic jean line, and unfortunately it too was hit in just a short time. My financier got hit big time, also. So I closed that business, too. From then on I had an incredible offer to rebuild my finances from a junior clothing company, where I worked for a couple of years. I made that seven-year-old company a profit after only six months.”
Alan expressed how fortunate he is to be able to do what he loves for a living. His business partner, whom he’s known for over a decade, had followed his work. He wasn’t in a position to invest until now. But last year, as fate would have it, the two men ran into each other quite accidentally, and they decided to join forces. Their business is currently in a small space, but they are in the process of expanding to a bigger facility.
“There are a lot of great people out there, but if you’re not properly financed, don’t start a business unless your dream is just to be small and make only enough money to pay the bills. But even then, there is no guarantee that will be enough.”
Alan’s partner suggested he start a contemporary label. He did and named it Baby Tears. It is a junior contemporary line which Alan just launched a week prior to our interview.
“It’s not true junior, the prices tend to be very cheap, and I didn’t want that. With today’s woman, you have a young 20s and young 30s, so today’s junior ranges from high school through 30s. There are different price points, and the construction and fabrics are better than the true juniors. Baby Tears retails from $30-$60.00. I would like to be somewhere in the middle as the bridge between the junior line and the contemporary line.”
As a designer, Alan considers everything. He states that the best part about working for a junior company is you really get yourself trained as a designer. You learn what people are reacting to and buying, and you have to consider that in your line. He doesn’t believe in just designing, or not caring whether it sells.
“Of course not, that is such bull! It’s arrogant, too, because you do want somebody to wear your clothes. I enjoy seeing my clothes on people.”
Baby Tears will be in stores as early as April 30th. And there are already a lot of stores interested in stocking the new line.
Alan Del Rosario, the couture line, was debuted March 21, 2006, at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week; and so far the reaction has been incredible. People still remembered Alan from his previous line, Del Rosario. When they discovered his return, needless to say, they were very excited and could not wait to have him in their stores again.
In the new couture line, Alan Del Rosario, the details are more delicate, and the workmanship is as good, but very different. Alan feels that he has a better understanding now of the American market.
“I don’t want to be like a Gaultier, where just a handful of people can wear my clothes. Alan Del Rosario is not quite high fashion, but it’s more understandable, and I want women to wear my pieces more than once.”
From Alan’s first line a few years ago, a typical outfit retailed from $800.00-$900.00. But now with the new couture line, the prices range from $1500.00-$3000.00 depending on the style.
When asked what Alan thought was visually different about this new line, he said it was completely different. The choice of fabrics is different. It has been five years since his last line, and the trends are different now.
“Before, everything was an embellishment, but today everything is more subtle, more refined. The look is much younger.”
I commented that it seemed like a more sagacious, wiser, Alan. From my observation, I noticed Alan’s new couture line was very Mediterranean and more detailed with a feeling of the 1950s and 1960s influence. One very feminine black and white chiffon polka dotted, free flowing dress caught my eye, which caused me to make that comment. Alan agreed.
“You’re right, there [are] a lot of Mediterranean, Russian, and Spanish influences. And because of the Internet, the world is getting smaller—and as a result, so is fashion. The global unification of influences is very clear in fashion. Women today can wear a flamenco skirt with a Russian vest and a parka. It’s just one of those things that people are influencing in fashion all over. I think I am trying to do it with myself, too. You can do a gypsy skirt with cowboy boots and wear an ultra modern jacket. There are no rules. The media dictates so much of those influences, and things that were a no-no are O. K. to wear now. What’s great about this time is that it’s way more fun!”
In five years Alan hopefully sees himself doing the same thing, and growing to be able to help more people.
“I am so blessed, and I am a true believer that whoever you are is a true result of your past. I like harmony in my designs, and there is a thought behind it. I am really conscious about it.”
It was very heartwarming to learn that those who had worked for Alan in the past are back with him today.
“They are like family to me. The last three weeks they have been working so hard to get ready for Magic. I hired a masseuse for the whole staff to give them back massages. I see their dedication. With most workers, you cannot ask them to come in on the weekend without a lot of complaining or struggle. But my staff will suggest they come in on Saturdays if they need to. And if they ever make a mistake with sewing and something needs to be ripped apart and re-done, they rip apart their stuff at home and keep working on other things here at work. But I don’t believe that work is everything. I am always reminding them that this is just a job. Don’t neglect your personal life. I will let them tend to their families when necessary. I think that is why I have loyal employees. It’s all about the way you treat them.”
Highest High
“It always thrills me to see anybody wearing my clothes. As a person I really am very positive and I get high on a lot of things. I would not even say that winning an award is a high for me. To me it’s just something that has been recognized because I am doing what I love to do. And sometimes it’s a little bit too much. Sometimes I need to humble myself. Yes, I am grateful, but it doesn’t define me. I just ebb and flow because every day I see something really wonderful. I enjoy my work, and coming here, it’s not a struggle. Even with just two hours sleep, I continue doing what I started. I am very blessed. But if there was an Oscars for fashion, that would be a real high.”
Lowest Low
“When I lost my business, it was crippling. Not just for me, but also those who worked for me. I hate that I disappointed and let everybody down. But fortunately, as much as I disappointed them, they are still loyal and behind me. I talked to the buyers from Saks and they said, ‘Alan, don’t feel like you’re a loser. You are not a loser because most of your clothes have sold 97% in our stores. People want your clothes, and for that reason alone, you should consider yourself a winner.’ It was tough, and 911 was such a weird time. Just think about the people that lost their lives. I only lost a business. I got a lot out of it in terms of maturity. I learned a lot from that experience.”
Alan’s Advice to Young Designers:
“Be true to yourself, and if you really want to start your own business, remember that it is a business. You’ve got to have your finances on track, and just remind yourself that it’s a business because it can be taken away from you. If you don’t address that, no matter how creative you are, if you don’t have the backing and are reckless with your spending, it can be taken away from you.”
Interviewed and Written by Kaylene Peoples
