Tracy Dizon has been in the Philippine fashion scene for more than a decade. One of the pioneers of Kawaii fashion in the Philippines in the mid-2000s, Dizon has carved a niche for her bold choice of prints and colors. Not surprisingly, the self-proclaimed fashion “kontesera” has managed to stand out and dominate numerous design competitions in the Philippines and around the globe.
Born and raised in Manila, Dizon loved playing with Barbie and paper dolls. Those were her early fashion memories. Little did she know that her fashion inspiration from her dolls would prove to be monumental in her future design aesthetic.
High School Awekening
During high school, she showed great potential in becoming a fashion designer, as she was always tasked to create costumes for school events. But that would come later. Dizon recounted that she would sketch prom gowns, pep squad uniforms, and jackets for her friends in high school but she never really thought of fashion design as a career until her baccalaureate mass and graduation ceremony.
“My first conscious step towards the world of fashion was probably dictated by fate. The best uncanny foresight I can share is during my high school Miriam College High School Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation, when one of the speakers among my schoolmates forecasted our professions in the future and oddly mentioned I would be a couturier.” Dizon said.
Beginning of a Colorful Journey
Dizon’s baby steps towards a fashion career had a rocky beginning. Despite her parent’s disapproval, she took the risk and transferred to UP Diliman to take up BS Clothing Technology. It wasn’t easy for her. There was a point in Dizon’s college life wherein she questioned herself and her talent.
Since her parents were not that supportive of the path that she took that time, she would often offer part-time tutorial jobs to fund her projects. None of these struggles hindered Dizon to continue reaching for her goals. She continued to push forward, knowing that there is a bright future that awaits her fashion journey.
After some years, Dizon was able to join and dominate prestigious fashion contests in the Philippines. Those helped her to hone her skills. She became a contestant in the Project Runway Philippines Season 2 which paved the way for her to be known in the local fashion scene. Her most memorable competition was in 2009 when she joined the 47th Japan Fashion Design Contest. Since she took a lot of inspirations from the Japanese underground fashion scene, she realized that she should try venturing out to the international market where options are wider and more open to bizarre and bold designs.
From Manila to Tokyo to New York City
In 2010, her brand Tiara by Tracy Dizon was born. The brand specializes in unique Kawaii-inspired pieces. She ventured to go global, which was a big step in her career. It was Misha Janette Fleming, a top stylist and fashion editor, who gave her a big break. Fleming wore her pieces in prestigious fashion events in Tokyo, giving Dizon prime spots and features in the top fashion magazines in Japan.
Cute and Bold
Tracy described her design aesthetic as quirky and a reflection of her “DNA of being a kawaii fashion designer”. Taking inspiration from Betsey Johnson, Jeremy Scott, Anna Sui, and Tsumori Chisato, Dizon loves experimenting with prints on prints, floral and ethnic patterns, and doodles. She also takes inspiration cues from the ’80s and ’90s anime and cartoons.
“I think it shaped my love for kawaii fashion. Seeing the cute dresses and the doll-like faces of these anime characters became my inspiration for making dresses for my paper dolls, my fashion dolls, and my make-believe fashion magazines! Looking back, I realize that my kawaii influences go way back,” Dizon shared.
Tracy joined a lot more fashion competitions such as the 47th Japan Fashion Design Competition, AirAsia Runway Ready 2016, and Vietnam Emerging Designer 2016.
“I won Grand Prize Winner for the Fashion Week Brooklyn x Rise Art & Design Fashion Designer Competition 2017 and 3rd Place Fashion Week Brooklyn x Solis Magazine Fashion Designer Competition 2018,” she shared
“My most recent feat is winning the NHK World Japan International Kawaii Leader/Ambassador Fashion Contest,” she added. This honor has solidified her Kawaii fashion influence globally, as the leading TV show and Kawaii fashion competition in Japan, the home of the sub-culture fashion, has recognized her. Still based in New York, her International Kawaii Leader title has allowed her to be an even more known Kawaii fashion designer. Last March, she’s been featured in the runway show segment of the TV show in Japan, showcasing her Kawaii fashion homewear, which is of course, so cutesy and over-the-top!
Grappling with the Pandemic
When the lockdown in New York started, Tracy struggled with working from home because of confinement and lack of materials. But she is slowly getting back on track and plans to have more projects in the future.
She’s been keeping herself busy by writing a children’s book, making paper dolls, sketching designs, making hats and clothes and of course, running her business and taking care of her son.
“I am doing a lot of illustration arts, paper dolls, more kawaii couture collections now. As expected, I will always have colors. We need it! I don’t aim to be an overachiever at this time, all I can do is do my best to stay kind and alive. I want to express and contribute to the world by sharing beautiful and kawaii things that can bring small sources of joy to different facets of life.” she said.
“I was so happy to share my personal reflections in making this design– moving forward to ‘post-quarantine state of mind’. We can all move forward and power through this with grace and kindness,” she said. “It’s inspired by the saying, ‘Be a Pineapple, Stand Tall, Wear a Crown and Be Sweet on the Inside’ by Katherine Gaskin. Because it’s true. We can survive this by standing tall, wearing a crown and being sweet and kind,” affirming that her Kawaii attitude in fashion transcends in how she handles life!
Like any other designers in the fashion scene, Tracy Dizon has also faced a lot of setbacks to get to where she is right now. But she has certainly proved her mettle and managed to stand out with her colorful designs.
Her kawaii designs are here to stay and to bring a dose of cutesy, be it on dark or bright days.
Some images are creative directed and shot by Tracy Dizon exclusively for Stylish Magazine.
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This feature on fashion designer Tracy Dizon is part of Stylish Magazine’s first ever special edition dubbed as The Style Visionary Issue, with New York-based fashion designer Richie Rich as the cover star. To read the cover story, head on to Stylish Magazine’s Cover Story, or simply click here. To virtually flip the pages of this Stylish Magazine’s issue, click here.
You may follow Tracy Dizon on Instagram @tracydizon.nyc.