Rubio, Joaquin Antonio A.
@theworldofwaki / @worldofwaki
As a child, I was deeply immersed in celebrity culture – documentaries, interviews, articles – I consumed them all. I was so fascinated by the glamour, the characters, and the lives that were being lived, but as I grew older, I realized the reality behind the glamour. Fame isn’t just red carpets and flashing lights — it’s manipulation, invasion, harassment, and power games. This collection is a striking commentary on that. Taking inspiration from the stories of famous public figures such as Lady Gaga, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, and Marilyn Monroe, It’s a reminder that chasing fame comes at a price. Some learn to play the game, while others get played.
WORLDOFWAKI (Waki) is a Filipino fashion designer whose work explores the intersection of storytelling, surrealism, and fashion. Specializing in avant-garde and bespoke design, he creates for all with a vision that is glamorous, daring, and expressive. Inspired by art, film, music, stories, and lived experiences, he brings his imagination to life — because in his world, everyone is invited to “live the imagination!”
As a creative, I was able to maintain my vision by first asking myself a couple questions: “Does this still align with my vision?” “Does this feel right?” because I’m a firm believer of trusting what feels right for you, no matter what the result may be. I also make sure to filter out the feedback, applying only the ones I believe would enhance my work. Because of that, I was able to also slowly discover who I was as a designer –– finding out my market, what I enjoyed working on, and what designs and aesthetics worked for me. I’ve come to realize that I like leaning more towards surrealistic, quirky, and provocative designs, and I like separating me as a designer to me as a person, kind of like how a publiuc figure separates their public persona with their private one. I believe doing so allows me to fully express my creative ideas without compromising who I truly am outside of my work.
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