Filipino fashion designer John Herrera vents his frustration over his creation that Kim Chiu did not wear for the 66th FAMAS Awards.
Herrera is an esteemed London-based fashion designer and the only Filipino so far to have won the Britain’s Top Designer Competition.
Entertainment news websites said that the event organizers approached Herrera to create outfits of their three hosts, namely Chiu, Piolo Pascual, and Robi Domingo.
Chiu appeared on the said event, which was held on July 10 at The Theatre at Solaire, and wore two gowns. The first one she wore was a dusty rose gold, Swarovski embellished gown and the second one was a white sleeveless gown with a fringe-layered skirt.
However, neither of the two gowns was designed by Herrera.
Herrera told PEP.ph that Chiu was supposed to have a gown fitting at her house four days before the event.
However, Herrera’s staff were not allowed to enter the village where Chiu’s house is located. Instead, they were then instructed to leave the gown at the village guard house.
“My staff said, ‘Fitting po ito. Hindi pa tapos yung gown.’ Kim’s staff said kase akala nila tapos na, tapos susuotin daw niya kung gusto niya. Kung hindi daw, hindi niya susuotin.
“My staff called me, and I said, ‘Don’t leave the gown’… I was wrong in thinking she is not a diva anymore. FAMAS kasi kausap ko. I heard she does this with sponsors designers. I didn’t think until now ganito pa din siya. Lesson learned. Grabe,” he said.
He posted the supposed gown on Instagram. It is a black strapless gown with a thigh high slit and white train.
However, Herrera said that he already made the down when he found out that Chiu’s team would still decide if she would wear it or not.
“This is not how I do business,” Herrera said. “Kaya ako mag-submit ng sketch, because I want everything clear.”
Herrera said the organizers apologized to him for the miscommunication.
“Hindi ko alam if this is an issue, but all I know is medyo naabala talaga ako. Hindi naman siya model size. Ang laki ng hips niya, so we made a new dress. Gastos, time, and effort,” he said.
“I said I won’t leave it and I’m not sponsoring her ever. That gown is worth P100,000. I’ll sell it na lang to others who would value it,” he said.
Kim Chiu’s stylist speak up
The day after the FAMAS event happened, Patty Yap released a statement to clarify the issue with Herrera.
Her statement read:
“First of all, as mentioned, I did not commission him for this project. I believe he had arrangements with FAMAS about providing gowns and suits for the FAMAS hosts.
“Secondly, it was absolutely okay with Kim to wear his creation, but it was John who backed out, as mentioned on his last message.
“Lastly, I believe the miscommunication was with FAMAS and not with Kim’s camp as he was coordinating everything with them, including the fitting schedule, as mentioned by him and the FAMAS representative.
“Kim is totally unaware of this; all she knows is there’s a gown from John provided by FAMAS.
“As Kim’s stylist for three years now, I can wholeheartedly say that never once did Kim exhibit any negative attitude as to what to wear or not during an event.
“I understand John’s dismay, and we have so much respect for him, but I hope this clarifies the matter. Thank you.”
