Tragically, his time on this Earth was much too short. Nevertheless, the Master of Philippine Fashion Design, Joe Salazar, left an indelible imprint in the industry. In this piece, we pay tribute to the much-loved and respected designer
This feature story was originally titled as Joe Salazar: A Filipino Master, published in the May 2004 issue of Tatler Philippines.
As the King of Philippine couture, Jose B. Salazar (25 December 1944 - 14 February 2004) upheld the lofty ideals of creativity and craftsmanship in an era when fashion had become a commodity.
Salazar's signature was to imbue romanticism on correct technique and punctuate that with handmade decorative details. Inspired by his love for plants, his clothes stayed close to such motifs as leaves, petals and flowers, particularly roses.
He had humble beginnings in Batangas province. His passion for architecture and fashion was influenced by his parents' occupations: his father was a carpenter, while his mother was one of the best seamstresses in town.
After studying architecture at the Mapua Institute of Technology in Manila, Salazar enrolled in fashion design and pattern-making at Slim's School while working as a portraitist for well-to-do-people.
He became an apprentice for top designers Ben Farrales and Casimiro Abad, who gave him good grounding in the world of elite clientele and the opportunity to sketch clothes. Farrales imparted discipline, especially meeting the client's deadlines, and Abad fine-tuned him in the art of fitting.
Read also: Pitoy Moreno, The Fashion Czar Of Asia