Fil-Am designer inspires Filipino pride through modern creations

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LOS ANGELES – The Mestizo, the fashion brand that first got noticed online in 2021 with its intricately designed boleros celebrating the beauty of Filipino culture, recently opened a showroom in Los Angeles.

Gabe Gonzales, CEO-co-founder and the visionary creative designer of the brand, and his partner, Robert Kolosso, COO and co-founder, staged a three-day soft opening at their new location on 3308 Helms Avenue in Culver City, California. The showroom, displaying The Mestizo’s modern, wearable takes on Filipino fashion, from dresses, barong, crop tops to boleros,  is now open to the public.

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People attracted to The Mestizo’s contemporary, practical approach to Filipino designs can now browse the label’s products in the chic showroom.

Gonzales, who grew up in Manila, Philippines, was inspired by his mother, Teodora Gonzales, a 50-year veteran of the fashion industry. Although he initially pursued a healthcare career, excelling as a nurse before earning an MBA and a PhD in business psychology, Gonzales has always nurtured his passion for fashion.

Kolosso is a Wisconsin native who worked in various automotive companies and is currently the Assistant Zone Sales Manager at American Honda Motor Co. Inc.

Gabe Gonzales (left), the CEO-co-founder and the visionary creative designer of the brand, with his partner, COO and co-founder Robert Kolosso. / CONTRIBUTED

Inspired by their travels and shared vision, Gonzales and Kolosso took the leap of faith in 2021 and launched The Mestizo, which quickly earned a big following. Kolosso said, “The Mestizo is a clothing brand that reimagines traditional Filipino designs for the modern world. This venture has been an incredible journey of learning and growth, from navigating the intricacies of LLC formation and budget management to orchestrating photoshoots and curating seasonal fashion show collections.”

Gonzales cited a sample of the duo’s creative partnership: “Our brand was the first to introduce a lined barong, designed to conceal the undershirt. It was Robert’s feedback and his Western perspective that inspired me to redesign the barong into what it is today.”

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The opening of The Mestizo’s first brick-and-mortar showroom in Los Angeles is a significant milestone. “It is a testament to our dedication and passion,” Kolosso said.

Gonzales explained what made them decide to have a showroom after three years of their garment products being available only online. He shared, “In the early days of our business, we tossed around the idea of opening a physical store. We both agreed to take a step back, set some criteria and figure out when the right time would be.

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“At first, we were meeting with clients in the lobby of our apartment or in available conference rooms for custom orders or fittings (talk about humble beginnings!). But eventually, we realized that the setup wasn’t working for us. Despite our initiatives on ‘slow fashion’ and its environmental benefits, we felt there were gaps in who we are as a brand, our service delivery, aesthetics and current setup.”

Kolosso added, “Another factor was when we started to feel some changes in consumer behavior that surfaced post-pandemic. So many untapped things in retail to explore. So, Gabe started researching the impact of social media on brand influence and the effects of evolving changes in consumer behaviors around online shopping.

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“At that point, we realized we weren’t addressing a key aspect of our brand which is engaging one’s senses. That made us firmly decide we want our brand to really come to life; and have people experience, feel and immerse themselves in the atmosphere and vision we created for it.”

In 2023, Gonzales decided to leave healthcare and fully dedicate himself to expanding The Mestizo. Gonzales’ journey reflects his belief in the power of culture and fashion to inspire and connect people across the globe.

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Gonzales revealed some of the challenges he encountered as a fashion designer in LA.

“One of the biggest challenges I faced as a fashion designer in LA was more of an internal struggle, self-doubt,” he shared. “I would often ask myself, ‘Is this beautiful enough?’ This uncertainty led to countless revisions before I felt comfortable approving any piece. It became a cycle of questioning my own work, which tends to slow down the process.

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“Another significant challenge was my non-traditional background. I didn’t have formal education in fashion design – I was immersed in the industry growing up, as my parents ran their own Filipiniana garment business. Because of this, I wrestled with the idea of whether I truly deserved the title of ‘designer,’ especially since I didn’t know technical skills like cutting patterns.

“However, one day, a friend, designer, David Tupaz, offered me a piece of advice that changed my perspective. He reminded me that running a family business with over 50 years of history was more than enough validation. David’s words lifted me during a particularly low moment and made me realize that our legacy and the support from pioneer designers like him, give me the strength to face new challenges with a better attitude and mindset.”

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Kolosso also shared, “As Gabe mentioned, one of the early challenges we faced as a business was finding the right balance between our online presence and the desire for a physical showroom. In the beginning, meeting clients in less-than-ideal settings highlighted the need for a dedicated space that reflected our brand’s identity.

“Many of the challenges I’ve faced stemmed from having little experience in starting a business. As COO, I handle everything from an operational perspective: logistics of inventory, setting up business permits, paying sales tax, etc. These are just a few examples of things I had to learn on the fly.

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“However, this process has also taught me how to be more resourceful, how to ask for help when needed and learn from others who have already gone through it. Overall, I believe our ability to adapt and respond to these challenges has been key to our success so far. By staying true to our brand values and remaining open to new ideas, we’ve been able to navigate the complexities of the fashion industry and build a business that we’re both proud of.”

Asked what made him give up his scrubs and pursue fashion design, Gonzales answered, “A little background – since the end of 2016, I had been serving as CEO of our family’s fashion business, managing operations from afar while still working full-time in healthcare. Before virtual meetings became commonplace, I was already making Skype calls late at night (morning in Manila) while working as an ER Director and pursuing my graduate degree in Chicago. I was essentially juggling multiple roles – hustling nonstop!

CEO-co-founder and creative designer Gabe Gonzales / CONTRIBUTED

“By the time the pandemic hit, I had just moved to LA a year prior. I was in the middle of completing my PhD in Business Psychology while also serving as an Emergency Department Director, a role that quickly escalated to Associate Chief Nursing Officer. Time seemed to blur; I worked long hours on very little sleep but it never felt exhausting because I was driven by passion.

“However, God has His ways as things took a turn when my job became absolutely overwhelming. From my boss to all the combined workload, it began to take a toll on my health, even leading to an immune system disorder diagnosis of alopecia. That’s when my mom (and Robert) asked me the million-dollar question: ‘Why are you working for them?’ My mom, who had been in the fashion business for decades, encouraged me to shift my focus entirely to The Mestizo and our family business.

“Taking her advice was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Not only did my health improve (I got my hair back!) but I also found joy in my work. Now, most of the time I don’t feel like I’m working at all because I absolutely love what I do. My mother’s influence and guidance have been pivotal in this transition – her wisdom and experience gave me the confidence to pursue fashion full-time.”

Kolosso shared what he learned about being in the fashion industry: “Being in the fashion industry was never something on my radar. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been involved in the auto industry. My career began at age 14, working for my grandfather at his Toyota dealership in Wisconsin.

“I progressed through various roles there, eventually transitioning to the corporate side of the business in 2010. I’ve been with American Honda for nearly 10 years now as an Assistant Zone Sales Manager for California and Hawaii.

“Partnering with Gabe on The Mestizo has been an eye-opening experience. While seemingly worlds apart, the auto and fashion industries share surprising similarities, particularly in inventory management and marketing. However, the vast differences, like the fast-paced fashion cycles, the emphasis on visual storytelling through shows and the intricate production methods, have been fascinating to learn. It’s been a steep learning curve but incredibly rewarding.”

Asked what their vision and goals are for The Mestizo, they pointed out, “At The Mestizo, we live by a mantra that is both simple and profound: ‘We believe that celebrating what makes us different strengthens the bond that ties us all together. We are all part of something bigger than ourselves.’

“Our vision is to create a brand that allows our clients—whether of Filipino heritage or those connected to it – to feel proud when they wear our designs. Each piece is not only rooted in culture but it also evokes grace and elegance.

“We aim to make The Mestizo a global brand that honors the allure of Filipino culture in the realm of fashion. While our designs draw inspiration from this cultural wealth, they are tailored for a diverse audience.

“We believe that fashion serves as a universal form of expression and our garments are crafted to resonate with individuals from all backgrounds. By fusing traditional Filipino elements with modern design, we strive to create clothing that is both authentic and refined. Ultimately, we dream of The Mestizo becoming a brand that the world embraces – a melding of culture ingredients and style.”

Visit The Mestizo’s brand new showroom in LA and see firsthand Gonzales’ beautiful and very wearable garments. More information on The Mestizo at www.themestizo.com.

Photos by Elaine and Ezrael Osorio of E-Films