By Benjie de Ubago
The fashion world was saddened with the passing of International Fashion designer, Rocky Gathercole, on 3 March, 2021, at the age of 54. From being a homeless kid, he struggled, surmounted all challenges and rose to fame to become the toast of the runways the world over. His ostentatious outfits bedazzled the catwalks from Dubai to Los Angeles to New York and Australia.
With his showroom based in LA, his exquisite, flamboyant creations dressed top Hollywood celebrities such – Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Tyra Banks, Paris Hilton and many others.
The Filipino community in Sydney had the privilege of experiencing two of his fashion parades – in 2018 at the Sydney Hilton, and in 2019 at Star City for the Miss World Pageant.
and Linda (right) wearing one of Rocky’s gowns.
Upon hearing the sad news, Linda Rose who became a good friend of Rocky, gathered friends and other community members to pay tribute befitting the style and glitzy glamour of the fashion icon. The memorial was held last Wednesday, 8 March 2021 at the Villa Mia Restaurant. Needless to say, Linda Rose did not disappoint! Like true fashionistas, Linda and her friends were dressed in colourful, Rocky-style fashion. “I was one of the lucky ones who had a gown made by Rocky,” said Linda. He was supposed to come to Sydney for my birthday in October and bring me another of his one-of-a-kind gowns,” she added.
Couturier extraordinaire, Rocky died of a heart attack and is survived by his wife and son.
It is also noteworthy that Philippine fashion lost the Dean of Philippine fashion, Ben Farrales on 6 March 2021. Farrales dressed Manila’s elite for five decades. He was best known for giving our traditional designs an elegant modern twist as well as his Muslim-inspired gowns.
The world of Philippine fashion will miss them both.
16 March 2021
