With only weeks away before Miss Universe 2023 takes place in El Salvador, the Philippines’ representative, Michelle Dee, has been sharing glimpses of her training and preparations for the competition. One of her recent content releases is a fashion editorial featuring dainty jewelry pieces courtesy of Jewelmer and a sculptural breastplate.
In the past years, we’ve seen breastplates grace the runway and red carpets, creating style moments that went viral online. Think of Zendaya in Tom Ford, Bella Hadid in Schiaparelli, and Rihanna in Loewe. Much like those, Michelle’s latest shoot is also making rounds in the digital space and that’s all thanks to Vilrick Cruz, the designer behind the fashion label Vilrique.
Ever since he was a little boy in the Middle East, Vilrick knew he wanted to become a fashion designer. But his goal doesn’t end in just creating clothes, he wants to craft wearable art, something new, pieces that will challenge the norm.
“I see fashion as a way to bring message and to really put yourself out there,” he says. “We think of fashion as this superficial, but it can inspire people.”
Vilrique was launched in 2022 after Vilrick unveiled his graduation collection. According to him, his show got great reviews and many people inquired about his custom sculptural breastplates. As he goes on and leads his brand, his design aesthetic becomes more streamlined, focusing on producing artistic, feminine, and sculptural pieces centering on the core of his brand which is “dauntless beauty.”
“I consider my sculptural breastplates as my DNA and weapon. I also learn through my clients,” Vilrick muses. “I consider my sculptural breastplates as my DNA and weapon. I also learn through my clients.”
In creating his breastplates, Vilrik usually thinks of the Greek gods and goddesses. But unlike what we see on the runways, many of which mirrors the beauty of the human form, his creations mimic the graceful folds and curves of a fabric in motion. The way he captures their curls is romantic and poetic.
“The fastest would be one week,” he says about crafting breastplates. “Of course, I have to think about how it’s going to be worn and its feasibility. It depends also if I cast a specific human body part and if a client wants a specific shape and has a specific reference, which takes about a month.”
“My goal is to continue bringing confidence to anyone who dons Vilrique, just like Michelle Dee who embodies the brand,” Vlirick adds. “I hope to debut my first runway when the time is right and to expand. This is just the beginning and I hope for bigger things.”
Check more of Vilrick Cruz’s works by visiting @thehouseofvilrique on Instagram.
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Banner photo by Dennis Sulit from Michelle Dee/Instagram.