Internationally renowned Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco has expressed disappointment at the lack of support from Filipino celebrities and influencers for local designers.
In a now-expired Instagram story, Cinco questioned the tendency of high-profile Filipinos to spend large sums on European designer clothing while expecting free custom work from Filipino designers.
“It’s quite ironic how these celebrities proudly wear these designer clothes, but when it comes to Filipino designers, they suddenly want everything custom-made for them for free,” Cinco stated.
He highlighted the struggle of Filipino designers: “They pour their hearts and souls into their creations, but are often undervalued and underpaid.”
Cinco emphasized the need to uplift the Filipino fashion industry, saying, “As a society, we need to start recognizing and supporting our own local talents, including fashion designers.”
He ended his post with a powerful message to those who ask him for free work: “Every time some influencers and starlets ask me if I wanna do their wedding dress or red carpet dresses for collaboration or for free, I always tell them: What a wonderful life, beautiful things in this world are not free. In other words, magbayad ka.”
Cinco is a celebrated Dubai-based designer who launched his fashion line in 2003. His most recent collection, “The Impalpable Dream of Japan,” takes inspiration from Japanese culture.
