Furne One, first Pinoy designer at London Fashion Week, comes home.

Byline: Cheche V. Moral

FURNE ONE HAS BEEN working in Dubai for 12 years now. Asked to describe his work, he replied that he designs Christmas trees.

He said this with a straight face, not a hint of irony in his voice. Everyone laughed, the designer included.

One was obviously referring to the over-the-top designs that his clientele in Dubaiwomen with plenty of money from black gold to splurgecrave for.

The reply showed Ones attitude toward his work in oil-rich United Arab Emirates. He shrugged when asked if it stings when Middle East-based designers like him are boxed in a stereotype, their work often described disparagingly as too Dubai.

I dont mind, he said. At least theres still a group of people who want couture. Kaysa uniform tayong lahat.

One was on a brief visit recently, one of the few times he comes home. This time he had a bigger purpose: The Cebu-born designer is homecoming queen in October, with his first gala show in the country, right after his debut at London Fashion Week this …