Ramon Valera, the country's very first National Artist for Fashion Design, rose to prominence due to his formal Filipiniana designs. ... Valera's work was set against Modernism, the design paradigm in the Philippines prevalent during the Post-War period.He was the only male dressmaker who could design, cut, baste and sew all by himself. He created his designs either directly in his head, or drew sketches to guide his four assistants.
