For years, Oliver Tolentino has been putting the Philippines on the global map by producing collections featuring local tapestries abroad, dressing the stars for the red carpet, and welcoming international clients to his boutique in Beverly Hills. He continues to represent the Philippines by participating in numerous fashion festivities. His latest appearance is at the British Virgin Islands for the 15th anniversary of the Summer Sizzle BVI.

Summer Sizzle BVI is the British Virgin Islands’ premier fashion and lifestyle event. It is held annually on Tortola, the main island of the British Territory, located in the Caribbean just east of Puerto Rico. This year, it has invited 14 designers from Los Angeles, New York, Washington DC, as well as the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, Cameroon, and the Bahamas. Oliver, the first Filipino to present a collection at the event, had the honor of closing the international fashion show.

His collection, dubbed “BVI,” merges his design sensibilities with the elements of the Caribbean. What sets this collection apart from his past work is that it showcases his foray into print design.

“I was inspired to do a one-off collection as the final designer for its special 15th anniversary show,” Oliver tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “The white prints fit the Caribbean style and represent the sand, while the blue looks represent the ocean, the green looks represent the tropics, and the pastel colors represent the pretty colors they paint their houses on the island.”

For his women’s collection, Oliver used fabrics such as mikado, French tulle, silk chiffon, charmeuse, and liquid silk satin. He featured a variety of silhouettes, including ball gowns, sleek column gowns, cocktail dresses, and gowns with detachable ball skirts. The designer also showcased a range of styles and intricate techniques, such as bodice draping, hand-beaded appliqués, skirts crafted from multi-colored strips of hand-sewn horsehair, and custom-designed tropical floral prints. Menswear featured a brocade trench coat, a blue lamé jacket, and a fully beaded black cropped jacket, paired with modern, loose-fit trousers.

Oliver’s stint at the Summer Sizzle BVI is just one of the many milestones he has celebrated recently. Last year, he. added a San Francisco Union Square showroom to his collection of stand-alone boutiques in Beverly Hills, US, and Makati City, Philippines. He also has a collection carried in a SoHo boutique in New York. His secret to success? Passion and perseverance.

“You have to love what you do because being a designer is about hard work and perseverance,” the designer muses. “And don't take shortcuts and ruin your name. It's more about perspiration than glamor.”