From Tolentino's press agent:
Hollywood Filipino fashion designer Oliver Tolentino snapped into action to rescue the Philippines’ candidate for the Miss Universe pageant when she was facing the prospect of not having an evening gown for today's preliminaries.
Tolentino, who was on vacation after the successful grand opening of his new Beverly Hills boutique last weekend, received a panicked phone call from Las Vegas just a day before the preliminaries. People with Pia reported that an off-the-rack gown purchased by the organizer did not fit the Philippine bet and she had no real alternative.
According to Tolentino, “I’m in Aspen on vacation when my cell phone rang as I was skiing down the mountain. I took the call and told them I would do whatever I could to help the Philippines. I had 9 gowns from the new Beverly Hills boutique sent that afternoon to Las Vegas in order for Pia to have as many choices as possible for the right design, and of course, to make sure something fit,” added the designer.
“I was told Pia loved a red-orange silk crepe de chine mermaid gown with a bodice fully embellished with red Swarovski crystals and a front slit at the center,” reported Tolentino. “They said she loved it and felt good in it and was finally able to relax – which is so important the night before a candidate’s preliminaries. I have no idea why this was all so last minute, but anyway, I was happy to help Pia and the Philippines, even though I was not there,” shared the designer.
Tolentino has some experience regarding high-profile events and clientele. He’s the first Filipino in 53 years to have dressed an Oscar winner at the Academy Awards and only the second Filipino to dress nominees at the Emmy and Grammy award shows. More than 75 Hollywood celebrities have worn his creations. He also proudly promotes Philippine fabrics in Hollywood with celebrities Jessica Alba, Emmy Rossum, Sophia Bush, Ceelo Green, Tara Lipinski, Maria Menounos, and Carrie Underwood all having worn piña (Underwood performed on American Idol in it).
Oliver maintains a brand new boutique in Beverly Hills and also a boutique in Makati near Greenbelt. For more info: www.OliverTolentino.com.
