Vice Ganda has steadily positioned herself as the queen of opulence with her red carpet appearances and concert looks. No ensemble of hers is complete without an extravaganza of rhinestones, fringe, feathers, and other elements of drama. More is more when it comes to the comedienne, and it definitely shows with her sartorial choices.
The craftsman behind most of the multimedia star's show-stopping looks is Neric Beltran. The designer is best known for avant-garde silhouettes and intricate appliques, making him a perfect fit for the Vice Ganda aesthetic. True enough, the two have been close collaborators for more than a decade now, and they have been making our jaws drop with every fashion moment.
In an exclusive interview, we learn more about Vice and Neric's relationship as designer and muse, and what truly makes the "Unkabogable Star" shine so bright.
Preview Exclusive: Neric Beltran on Being Vice Ganda's Go-To Designer for 12 Years
Please describe the first time you and Vice met.
"The first time I met Vice, I was a bit intimidated. When I saw her in person, it confirmed that we do look alike, as my friends and other people would say!"
How did you end up working together? How long have you been working together since?
"I don’t remember exactly what year, but her stylist Aaron Mangsat tapped me to make a garment for a product intrusion for Gandang Gabi Vice around 2011."
How would you describe Vice as a client? What input does Vice give when it comes to creating her looks?
"Vice is a very generous person in general. She knows her brand well and always aims for excellence, not just with her fashion but in all aspects of her career. She knows what she wants and always expects quality work."
How has working with Vice impacted your career as a designer? How did working with her affect how you design and view fashion?
"Vice played a major role in my career as a fashion designer, since we’ve done a lot of clothes throughout her TV and movie career. This helped me and my team to really hone our skills, because some of her outfits are really over the top. They're definitely not the usual requirements a client would require of us. It was sort of a training experience for me."
As one of her go-to designers, what can you say about her personal style/aesthetic? How would you describe it? What makes it unique?
"What makes her style unique is that she isn't afraid to try out [various] styles and designs. She’s a chameleon, confident, and avant-garde."
Has your personal relationship developed since you first met? How would you describe Vice as a friend?
"As a friend, Vice is very in tune with what’s happening with me and my career, and she always offers support. She pushes me to do better and is always proud of the work that we produce."
What’s your most unforgettable moment working with Vice?
"I have a lot of unforgettable moments with her, and most of them are equally special. Probably the times when we do late-night fittings, chatting about just anything [would be the most memorable.] They're moments not seen by a lot of people. Those are very valuable to me because not a lot get to experience them."
What’s something interesting about Vice that her fans don’t know?
"A jacket that we recently showed at BYS Fashion Week was the second garment I ever made for Vice. I kept it for more than a decade, and it’s truly memorable and special. This probably started our partnership."
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
