The Ridley Scott film is nominated for Best Make-up and Hairstyling thanks to Frederic Aspiras

The Film Academy of the Philippines may have failed to submit a Filipino movie entry to the 94th Academy Awards, still, Filipino representation is present thanks to Frederic Aspiras’ works that earned Ridley Scott’s “House of Gucci” its only nomination.

Of Vietnamese-Filipino descent, Aspiras has been working with Lady Gaga for 15 years. In the movie, the pop star-actress portrayed Patrizia Reggiani, the ex-wife of Maurizio Gucci played by Adam Driver. With the film covering three decades, from the ‘70s to the ‘90s, Aspiras, together with costume designer Janty Yates, effectively depicted on the screen some of the best fashion moments of those eras.

Through a social media post, Gaga shared how happy she was with the film’s nomination and the recognition given to Aspiras, whom she described as her brother.

“Frederic was magical, precise, and dedicated months leading up to shoot and during filming. He prepared dozens of wigs for months and months and did at least a year of preparation,” she posted. “He’s a living genius and Freddie, we are all so grateful to just even be near your talent, creativity, and generosity of spirit. You continue to show your artistic DNA, your plan, your vision, and your deep connection to your family that drives you to excellence at all times. I love you, I’m rooting for you.”

In response, Aspiras expressed his gratitude to the singer. In his post, he also mentioned the unfortunate passing of his mom. “We started prep for this film during this time and I lost all hope and desire. You believed in me and trusted me. You reminded me of the gift that I had and how much joy it brings. You made me do it for my Mom,” he said. “I can’t begin to thank you for these kind words. You’re performance and dedication to your performance in this film legendary! The amount of respect and camaraderie we had amongst our team is unparalleled.”

The hairstylist and wig designer also shares his nomination to fellow Asian-Americans and sees the nod as a “huge step in the Asian Community.”

Apart from Aspiras, the Academy also recognizes the works of make-up artists Göran Lundström and Anna Carin Lock in the film.

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