By Ashley Pell – Collegiate Staff
Romel “RC” Caylan has turned his passion of fashion design into a career. The former Grand Rapids Community College student is showcasing his “Night Shadow” collection in the 2016 Walk Fashion Show.
The designer got his big break last year creating “Ruby,” a Red Fashion show made of just red designs held at SomArts San Francisco, California with 25 internationally and locally acclaimed fashion designers.
Caylan’s new collection “Night Shadow” is his spring 2017
collection of black and white dresses ranging from cocktail to high-end evening to bridal gowns.
Caylan, who was born in the Philippines and now resides in Grand Rapids, got the inspiration for “Night Shadow” from feeling “like an underdog” during his internship in Hollywood.
“I was a shadow and now I’m shining through,” Caylan said. “You need to have thick skin to survive this field. People there can eat you up.”
On November 19 in Beverly Hills, California, Caylan will be receiving the Most Outstanding International designer of 2016 for honoring Asians in their field at the 15th annual Gawad Amerika Awards that give recognition to Filipino-Americans who stand out in their respective career.
Caylan has advice to others aspiring to go into fashion design.
“Keep learning, evolve yourself, be aware of what’s going on,” Caylan said. “Dreaming is a good thing, keep working on your dreams.”
Caylan will be the final designer of 19 and will showcase his collection in the Walk Fashion Show held in Detroit. Dominique Jackson, from the Oxygen network show “Strut,” will make an appearance in the final showcase.
The Walk Fashion show is a black tie charity event to benefit HIV/AIDS. It is to be held at 6 p.m. Sunday Nov. 13 at the Eastern Market, Shed #5, 2934 Russell Street, Detroit. General admission is $50, or VIP tickets $100 and are available here.
In the spring, RC Caylan will be hosting a benefit to support the Kids Food Basket. Follow him on Instagram or Facebook for fashion updates and future event information.
