Dalhin by Lizandro Acera, a womenswear student at Central Saint Martins, is a Tagalog word meaning to bring something to carry something. “The HUMAN CONNECTION to develop how could a garment build relations between humans. A project looking into cultural aspects and ways in which parents strengthen their bond with their children through the idea of physical touch such as wrapping.
KALTBLUT: Tell me how you first became interested in fashion; and why you decided to become a fashion designer.
Lizandro Acera: I initially became interested in fashion through the idea of customization in video games.
As a person that comes from a family that experienced diaspora, I use fashion to recollect my personal memories and incorporate cultural aspects through the process to produce my own “characters”.
KALTBLUT: How would you describe your style and fashion?
Lizandro Acera: I would describe my style as echoing, and confronting the idea of big pieces being uncomfortable.
KALTBLUT: Are there any fashion icons who inspire your design?
Lizandro Acera: I admire a lot of designers but I believe do not have a fashion icon that inspires me in particular.
KALTBLUT: What would you say makes your design stand out against other brands?
Lizandro Acera: Most of my designs focus on tracing back and incorporating references from my Filipino roots which I feel is the most important value in my work.
KALTBLUT: Where do you find your inspiration for your work?
Lizandro Acera: I tend to pull inspiration from mundane places such as family habits or looking back into childhood obsessions merged with the origins of heritage.
KALTBLUT: What advice would you give to people who want to experiment more with the clothes they wear?
Lizandro Acera: I think people should start wearing whatever they feel comfortable with and not wear clothes to get an impression.
KALTBLUT: What are your favourite pieces from your collection?
Lizandro Acera: I feel all pieces I create to hold a special meaning to me, like my own personal diary, if one is missing it would mean the whole story is incomplete so I think I like them all equally.
KALTBLUT: How would you describe the local fashion scene/industry in your home town/country?
Lizandro Acera: I would describe it as experimental as I think you are able to identify distinctive styles and personalities.
KALTBLUT: What does being an independent designer mean to you?
Lizandro Acera: Being an independent designer to me means exploring oneself, looking into which of the past’s questions I can answer through my own unique perspective.
KALTBLUT: If your brand was ice cream, what flavours would it be?
Lizandro Acera: Ube or Buko flavour
KALTBLUT: What was the last music track you listened to?
Lizandro Acera: Orlando by Blood Orange
KALTBLUT: Finally, what can we expect to see from you in the near future?
Lizandro Acera: I would say in the near future I will keep analysing different cultural fields and use my pieces to record my growth.
Creative Directed & Photographed By Fifi Chen / Instagram: @fidochen___
Production & Designer By Lizandro / Instagram: @lizandroacera
Stylist by Jiani Yang / Instagram: @_ghosteyejanis
Model by Saffron / INS: @nowheregirlonline
Model by Xibi / INS: @xibiiiii
Choreography by Misseti Huth / Instagram: @missetihuth
Make Up & Hair By Cherry / Instagram: @ch3rrrry
Gaffer By Suzy Sun / Instagram: @yokyyye
Brands used: Lizandro Acera @lizandroacera, Acquario Ash @acquario_ash, @hazel__tang, Jiani Yang @_ghosteyejani
