The answer is that Francis is so happy and fulfilled to be a fashion designer, there’s no sign of stress and weariness in his face. The day that we visited him at his elegant shop in Scout Fernandez, Quezon City, there were at least five customers who came in and out for meetings with Francis and for fittings in a span of four hours. There were two daughters of a general, "Dyesebel" mainstay Paolo Ballesteros, actor Gardo Versoza, and two doctors. In spite of the flurry of activity (an everyday occurrence), visitors would still feel relaxed because of the well-planned, comfortable, and attractive surroundings.

Francis took up architecture at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). "When I was younger, I liked making houses; ang favorite toy ko, Lego," he says.

Before he finished his five-year course, he apprenticed at an architectural firm. After college, he continued working at a firm called PRSP in Makati but eventually lost interest after a year. Francis says, "Architecture graduates usually start from the bottom; we usually start as draftsmen. I got bored after doing drafting work for a year. So I went to fashion school."

Francis had always liked fashion. "I didn’t want to wear retail." So he preferred to have his polo shirts and pants made at a tailoring shop. He enrolled at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines in Ortigas around 10 years ago. At that time, Francis already had his own shop with friend Miguel Leyva specializing in custom-made men’s wear. "I wanted to complement my fashion designing skills with formal and hands-on training. Gusto ko pa matuto to make patterns," says Francis.

The venture soon expanded to women’s clothes, bridal wear, and gowns. Francis counts Anne Curtis, Korina Sanchez, Bea Alonzo, and Ruffa Gutierrez among his celebrity clients. His shop branched out to retail with RTW clothes now available at Landmark. Recently, they’ve also been designing and making corporate wear for hotels and other companies. "But most of our clients are still brides," reveals Francis. "Filipinas will really splurge on weddings kasi walang divorce dito."

Bigger shop

When entire families composed of the bride-to-be, her mother, sisters, and relatives, plus friends and other members of the entourage arrived at his shop for fittings, Francis and his business partner Arsi Baltazar decided that they needed a bigger area to accommodate clients more comfortably. Luckily for Francis, the area adjacent to theirs – a leather goods workshop owned by his grandparents – was going to move out. Francis got the space and the expansion started.

This was a time when Francis was able to put his architectural degree to good use. He designed the floor plan, supervised the construction, and collaborated with interior designer Olive Soriano on the furniture, décor, and other design elements. "Ako mismo ang bumili ng materials," he adds. "Budgeting for everything was the hardest part."

While construction was ongoing, customers were received in the house located beside the shop (also owned by Francis’ grandparents).

Receiving area

One of the most interesting design elements is the interplay of textures and patterns. This is shown in the cubed tiles in different sizes arranged in a woven pattern which frame the shop window. Texture is repeated in the design of the throw pillows on the sofa; there are strips of brown leather in different shades on the covers of the throw pillows. ("I saw this in Rustan’s and liked it. Sabi ko, bagay sa pillows para sa sofa," Francis recalls).

The mother-of-pearl egg-shaped vases on the tables provide contrast and echo the patterns-texture theme. And, if one looks closely at the angled legs of the side tables, one will notice the intricate carved design. "It was inspired by Ifugao carvings," Francis says of the tables. "I also wanted a Filipiniana touch without overdoing it."

Whether in fashion or in architectural and interiors, Francis prefers simple lines and shapes made more interesting with details and accents. The mocha-upholstered sofa is made of dark wood and rattan. The granite-tiled floor is in the same neutral family as with the color of the wall. "Tinerno ko ang flooring sa wall para mukhang mas malaki," says Francis. The "beige-ish" color of the wall was taken from a Martha Stewart color palette. Francis brought the palette pattern to the paint shop where he had the color custom-mixed.

Runway dressing room

It’s amazing what colors and mirrors can do to make a space bigger. The same color of the walls and the floors is echoed in the dressing room space where customers try on their gowns and suits. Take note of the large ceiling-to-floor mirror on the right wall ("I got the biggest mirror in the market," says Francis.) and the mirror at the end of the hall which also serves as the sliding door that opens to the designer’s office. There are two fitting rooms which are covered by ceiling-to-floor drapes tied with big tassels. "In my mind, the big drapes complement the big mirror that is on the opposite side," says Francis.

The effect is as impressive as it is dramatic. Once the bride emerges from the fitting room, she can immediately look at herself in the mirrors and practice her bridal walk. Francis’ concept for this space was a cross between a runway and a church altar. The designer has seen a number of moms cry when they see their daughters wearing the wedding gown for the first time.

The shop is very minimalist, very neat. There are furniture pieces that serve more than one purpose. Four-drawered cabinets inside the fitting rooms serve two purposes: to store glossy magazines, and provide a place where clients can put down their bags while they try on the clothes. Incorporated behind the reception counter is a space for filing and a computer; on top of it is a glass display with accessories which are also being sold. "Para kapag nakatayo dito ang customer, meron siyang matitingnan," says Francis. "I purposely did not want

to use a desk for this area because a desk will be piled with papers. I want furniture to be functional."

In the middle of the lobby/receiving area is a futon which note only fulfills the role of a "center table," but also serves as additional seating space, particularly for children. All the furniture is custom-made by Padua, a furniture maker located in Ermita, Manila.

New additions

The renovation took three months to finish. When client Tito Estrada, a painter whose works have been exhibited in New York, strolled into Francis’ new digs, he said there was still something missing. "Kailangan daw ng splash of color sabi ni Tito," recalls Arsi. The painter had six or seven paintings brought in, from which Francis picked out three. Two of Tito’s paintings hang in the lobby, while one is in the dressing area.

Each work has a certificate. Made of oil and capiz, the paintings also have "textured" effect that goes well with over-all look/theme.

Architecture’s loss might have been fashion design’s gain, but looking around the exquisite atelier of Francis Libiran, it’s very clear that the talented fellow has the best of both design worlds.