My 3 Minutes With Kenneth Cobonpue

I once got inside an elevator with Diether Ocampo, alone. I know he's cute and all, but no, not a single butterfly in my stomach.

On another occasion, my trip to Kenneth Cobonpue's office is a walk to remember. Thanks to our friend Patet, one of Kenneth's talented graphic artists, who invited us to Kenneth's showroom.

On our way out of the showroom where i went to see all Kenneth's creations, i asked Patet if kenneth was there inside his office. I said i just wanted to meet him, my idol. So Patet went to check on him. A few seconds later, there came kenneth in a black collared shirt. I knew i blushed the moment i saw him. I remember reaching out to shake his hand even though i was still a few meters away from him. I even remember how icy cold and sweaty my hands were. I was so nervous.

Then we got introduced. In fact, with a nervous smile and a twisted tongue i introduced myself. I said i was Oca's daughter (he knew my dad) and i told him, "Sir, you're my idol. You're an inspiration to us Filipino designers." He said thank you and answered all my flattering words with "You're doing great job too in your company". I think, partly, he knew i was working for Artwork (our family business). Of course i blushed twice as red and then i said thanks. I mentioned right away our new store that we formed. When i mentioned the name, he said he goes there! My gosh!! He wears our 'other' brand!

After a few more seconds, after being so elated at what i have found out (that he knows our new brand), the awkward stage came. The time when conversation suddenly halts like an angel just interrupts. To break it, i tried asking silly questions about his new approach in design. But after three more seconds i felt i was not making sense so i just stopped and politely said i knew he was busy and that i just begged Patet that i be introduced to him finally.

And there we said our thank you's and goodbye's.

The next day we sent him a shirt from our new store. He thanked me through text saying he was actually wearing a shirt he recently bought from our store and that now he got a new one again. I kept his text message. Wanted to print it out and frame it. Gosh. Thank you Patet, for the wonderful time.


with my friend patet

here's kenneth

Make it Happen

Two years. I've been toiling myself seeking for the best school, the best fashion course that i'd be mastering in. But none has ever materialized. All the while i thought it was only because i have never seriously sat down on it, but thank God, i came to realize it was just not the one i was dying to take.

Thanks to Rei Kawakubo, founder - Comme Des Garcons. She quite showed me the way to my discovery; one of the biggest names, if not a legend in the fashion industry. Her foundation? Having studied Philosophy, Fine Arts and Literature. Can you imagine? When a door finally opened for her to enter into the fashion industry, she didn't even know what a lace looked like. A lace, i know. Even a macho guy from some uptown Bronx would know what a lace is. But she didn't. Come to think of it, France won't be history when it comes to fashion if not for the lace factories. And funny she came up with the brand "Comme Des Garcons" - a french term for "like some boys". But she didn't care. People around didn't care what she new about fashion history. All her life she just commited herself to bringing about new discoveries, breaking new grounds, and making history. And that was it.

And so, when one day i was brought to some daydreaming, my lifelong dream quite popped in my head - taking up Art History. OMG. I felt some sugarless sugar rush all of a sudden. It suddenly became possible; i felt my call as a designer and all this now seemed that they would work out so well altogether. I began thinking, if i pursue the field i really love, not only would i master more than one skill but by merging these disciplines altogether i would, in no time, establish my niche. Right. The substance i've been talking about. I can be a Kawakubo who stuck to what gifts she has, honed them, so that in the end she offered something called intellectual fashion. I can be like her, that even now at age 64, she's still rockin', continuously venturing even into a much younger market! And mind you, she still never runs out of new and interesting things to show her worldwide audience. She, in fact, still drives the fashion scene mad! Only because she followed what was in her heart, what truly represented her as a being. And amen to that!

I'm on my way. I've heard Kenneth Cobonpue's (a world-renowned, Cebu-based furniture designer) been asked to teach in U.P. Cebu, College of Fine Arts, Industrial Design. And this is so much inspiration! Thank goodness for this light expected to be at the end of a tunnel. Oh, did i tell you? I have always dreamed of being an Art History teacher. And i'm not giving up that dream. I know someday my Creator would converge things that are close to my heart, because i know He was the one who instilled that dream in me. For now i'd do whatever needs to be done. I'd start, of course, by looking for the best school (now as serious), next would be by renewing my driver's license (in case i end up taking it at my Alma Mater, which i don't mind doing), and the rest would be my continuous self-study. Wooothooo!!!

Calling all dreamers! Find the right people that will help you get to your field. They don't necessarily have to be those whom you can have a tete-a-tete with. They can be a Kawakubo who wouldn't even know you exist!