Profiles: Benjie S. Manuel

it’s hard to be a designer in this country. heck, it’s hard to be a designer in this world. everything is trial and error, and
if you want to pursue a career in fashion, you must have a stronger backbone to accept harsh criticism and severe ignorance.
and you must know how to make your way to even the noticeable level – much better if you find your way to the top of food
chain. but the latter would be fine not achieved by Benjie S. Manuel, fashion designer.

“I do not really have to be the one on top, I just wanna be there. Being visible is enough for me” said the multi-talented
fashion designer who has been on the circuit for more than two decades now. he started out as DJ in one of the clubs in Butuan City, his hometown. “the DJ gig was sort of accidental, it wasn’t really my idea to become one. But I have no choice but to work. at some point it was disheartening to see my high school friends having a blast at the club while i was inside a
booth, changing vinyl to another.”

benjie made his first break in the fashion world when he sent out his sketches to Woman Today and Woman’s Home Companion. But the former was more of supportive of his designs. “the first time I saw my sketches on the pages of the magazine, I was thrilled. I shared it to my family and friends.” most designer slash rags to riches stories have their share of daddy-hates-me-for-i-am-gay piece, but not for Benjie, in fact, his father was more supportive then than his mother. “he was most of the time in Manila then for his work and he had watched fashion luncheons, and then he told me that fashion designing is a good business. he was in support of my dreams all the way.”

it all started from there and the name Benjie S. Manuel has never come down since. He has befriended many personalities including Helen Sanchez, the former first lady of Butuan, who helped him get a back-to-back show with the very famous Renee Salud. he moved to the bigger city to try his luck and luck never failed. he recently joined Philippine Fashion week, his 4th by the way, with his latest collection being featured here in Semi Charmed Life. “my inspiration always comes from listening to music.” he says when asked about what are his inspirations to his design.

right now he is currently working on his BSM Menswear and his next collection to be shown hopefullyon the next Philippine Fashion week for Spring Summer 2011, which he hopefully will participate. “fashion week may be an exhausting experience, but it is indeed enriching and fun!” when asked what will Benjie S. Manuel be five years from now, he answered “BSM in New York!” but please, never mistaken it for Bondage Sadism Masochism, Benjie never hurts.