Another Pinoy is up for an international award and he needs Pinoy voting power as well. Oliver Tolentino, the first Philippine-based designer to expand in the United States, is one of the 10 finalists in the Oscars Designer Challenge.
Prior to opening his Melrose Avenue shop, Oliver already had secured a reputation in his native country by designing gowns for the elite, including socialites, celebrities, and government officials at the highest levels. Just last year, he created the gown former First Lady Imelda Marcos wore to her 80th birthday gala celebration. Oliver often has been called the Philippines' own Valentino.
Over the past few years, Oliver has created dramatic gowns for the Philippines' biggest concert stars, including the four "divas" of the Philippines (Kuh Ledesma, Regine Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Pops Fernandez). Oliver has also dressed Asia's Nightingale Lani Misalucha for the stage in her running show in Las Vegas.
