Cover (Photo: Chona Bacaoco/Facebook.com)
(Photo: Chona Bacaoco/Facebook.com)
1 / 1
Meet the Filipino fashion designer who dressed Drusilla Gucci at the 76th Cannes Film Festival
“When I was ten years old, I made my very first dress. I knew at a very young age that someday I wanted to be a designer,” Chona Bacaoco reminisced. From humble beginnings, she has shown remarkable growth in the design sphere. Growing up in the four corners of her barong barong (shanty house), Bacaoco often chose to help her mother in their tailoring shop over playing outside with the other children.
Fueled with the inspiring thought of her mother and her hometown of Guimaras, she picked up a pen, took her sketchbook and got to work.
In case you missed it: It’s Lukresia’s world: meet the Filipino queer model who walked for Mugler’s return to the runway
Above (Photo: Chona Bacaoco/Facebook.com)
(Photo: Chona Bacaoco/Facebook.com)
1 / 1
With a bachelor’s degree in commerce at the Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus in Iloilo City, Bacaoco’s success didn’t happen in one night. Working in an office in front of a computer every day just wasn’t it for her, and when she moved to Milan, she was free to express herself.
Though she is far from home, Bacaoco never forgot her roots. Fueled with the inspiring thought of her mother and her hometown of Guimaras, she took her sketchbook and got to work. “Guimaras is my inspiration. My fellow islanders are my inspiration. I am their hope—my success is their success, and my happiness is their happiness. When I’m sad, they’re in tears too. I want to go back home carrying a basket of success and make them all proud,” said Bacaoco.
As an underdog in the fashion capital of the world, Bacaoco went through a myriad of challenges. “In the beginning, I was not accepted well as a designer. Hindi daw ako pwedeng maging designer dahil hindi ako nag aral ng fashion design. [I couldn’t be a fashion designer because I did not study fashion design] I was outcasted, excluded, cyberbullied, and sabotaged. But my dreams are bigger than my fears,” shared Bacaoco.
Her creative process starts with studying her client’s personality, mood, and facial and body features.
More from Tatler: Malacañan honours Filipino designers in this year’s celebration of Philippine Independence
In 2016, Bacaoco opened her modelling agency MM Milano Agency which helps talented individuals who couldn’t finance themselves reach their full potential. In 2019, her own brand MM Milano was established.
For the 76th Cannes Film Festival, Bacaoco had the golden opportunity to dress Drusilla Gucci.
“I felt a mix of emotions. I was happy and at the same time, I was nervous when I got selected. It was a very stressful and emotional journey, I only had three days to complete the job and it was almost impossible to finish it on time, but I did. My only concern was if she’d change her mind and decide to not wear the dress. In the end, it went well and Drusilla was very happy,” shared Bacaoco.
Find your purpose. Don't be afraid to be different, experiment, and take risks.
About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
Work
A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
