Fashion impresario Velez: From Manhattan to Italy, Norway and Spain

Producer-designer Velzon Hizon Velez and his kiddie models, at Manhattan Fashion Week. INQUIRER/Carol Tanjutco

NEW YORK — The recently concluded fall edition of Manhattan Fashion Week showed off the designs of VHV Clothes Rack Apparel, Jail Jeans, Jhay Layson and 3D digital print garment designs by Mitch Empleo-Ventura. Also launched was Glossy Skinnovation products by Mita Valentino Quiogue, paraded by Filipino American models from 5 to 26 years old.

The brainchild of Velzon Hizon Velez, Manhattan Fashion Week is now running on its 3^rd year, with the fourth one brewing for the coming winter.

Kirsten Regalado’s collection soon showing at Madrid. INQUIRER/Carol TanjutcoVelez branched out to operate a VHV Modeling Training Camp in 2018. He published VHV Pages Fashion Magazine and himself became a designer, creating the official swimsuits for Mutya ng Pilipinas 2019.

Asked about how he arrived at his successful business model, Velez quipped, “At first, I organized the Manhattan Fashion Week but then I always needed models for the show. So, I decided to do a modeling class from where I can always have several models for the Manhattan Fashion Week.”

Mitch EV’s 3D IMPRINTela Digital Garments. INQUIRER/Carol Tanjutco

This year’s fashion show featured designers from the Philippines with innovative 3-dimensional digital fabric prints, best experienced by wearing 3D glasses. Mitch Empleo-Ventura owns Digital Artworx Graphics and IMPRINTela Digital Garment Designs and Décor. She adopted the 3D designed fabrics to fashionable casual and street wear. Her designs drew crowds at the 2019 Manila F.A.M.E. trade exhibit.

Jail Jeans presented a non-conformist, fearless fashion statement with bright-colored accessories convertible to garment bags. He combined traditional plaid fabrics and jeans with metallic leather and bold prints, for both men and women’s casual wear.

Jhay Layson’s printed suit for men. INQUIRER/Carol Tanjutco

Jhay Layson is part of the group Designer Circle Philippines; he joined Velzon Hizon Velez at the Best of Islands European Tour. His designs add a pop of color and a delightful twist to traditional luxe wear. The men’s suit boast of printed silk fabrics that looked more like a palette of classic painting. The black wedding ensemble made a dramatic ending to the Manhattan show.

Jail Jeans traditional plaid fabrics and jeans with metallic leather and bold prints, for both men and women’s casual wear. INQUIRER/Carol Tanjutco

Velez is currently on tour directed by ConCon Siñel, with some of his models for Best of the Islands European tour, with two other Philippine designers, Kirsten Regalado and Jhay Layson. The tour covers Rome, Norway and Madrid. Kirsten Regalado is presenting “Matador” swim wear collection at Hotel Puerta America, Madrid on Nov. 2, 2019.