Dubai-based fashion designer Michael Cinco took to Instagram to rant about influencers and celebrities who ask for free outfits from Filipino designers but are willing to pay for the creations of international designers.
“Have you ever stopped to think about why they choose to spend their money on these expensive European brands, rather than supporting our very own Filipino designers? It’s quite ironic how these celebrities proudly wear these designer clothes, but when it comes to Filipino designers, they suddenly want everything custom-made for them for free,” the Filipino designer said.
“It’s a sad reality that many talented and hardworking Filipino designers have to face…They pour their hearts and souls into their creations, but are often undervalued and underpaid,” he added.
Cinco, who has dressed many international celebrities including Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Beyonce, and Jennifer Lopez, lamented that some Filipino influencers and celebrities “won’t even comment to say thank you in your page.”
He ended his series of post with a piece of advice for influencers and celebrities who are planning to offer to “collaborate” with him:
“Everytime some influencers and starlets ask me if I wanna do their wedding dress or red carpet dresses for collaboration or for free, I always tell them – what a wonderful life. Beautiful things in this world are not free… In other words, magbayad ka!!!”