BRIAN TENORIO: Soul to Sole

                                                                          
Young, funky and effervescent, he epitomize the spirit of Generation Next. With a unique mix of artist/ designer -- business savvy/ entrepeneur, BRIAN TENORIO delights in being different.
Though a self-confessed 'shoe person' and a nonconformist, the youth icon is bearing his soul to every sole of his being a true blue fa-shoe-nista.

Tehran-born, Filipino-American Brian Tenorio is a New York-based shoe designer. His shoe design label, Tenorio Manila ([www.tenorio.asia]), won the Battle of the Business Plans competition in the country, and was a semi-finalist in the Harvard Business School 2005 Entrepreneurial Idol in Boston, Massachusetts.

He is a winner of the 2007 Dutch-sponsored Philippine Bid Challenge (of the International Business in Development Network Foundation) and also the Philippine Junior Chamber International’s Creative Young Entrepreneur for 2007. Tenorio’s shoes were also included in the book 50 Must-Buys from Manila launched December 2008.

Before designing shoes, Tenorio worked as a graphic designer. He has won design awards in Asia, including the Asian Printing Press Awards in Singapore and the Philippine National Book Awards (2008 Best Designer). He also worked as a correspondent for Benetton’s COLORS Magazine.

He finished the Managing the Arts Program at the Asian Institute of Management (2002), after graduating a few years prior at the Ateneo de Manila University (2000). He is also the first to teach shoe design and aesthetics in the country at Manila’s School of Fashion and the Arts.

One of Manila’s most enterprising and influential creatives, shoe designer Brian Tenorio is currently based in New York, with the Design Management Program of Pratt Institute.

Brian Tenorio has created a unique collection of exclusive avant-garde footwear whose inspiration rises from the vibrant colours of human character, memories, emotions and endeavours. Designing with a difference, there is an in-depth concept behind each pair of shoes made by his signature brand known as simply "TENORIO".

With custom designing as a main priority, each product has a distinctive theme and character. The shoes are made by leather, snake skin, croc skin and suede with the extensive use of handicrafts. Aesthetically appealing, Brand Tenorio is individualistic that strongly believes in reflecting his ideas in his shoes.

Put your best shoe forward with the launch of the SevenSins Collection by Brian, this imaginative collection encompasses all kinds of exciting styles, colours and designs. Aptly named, the wide variety includes ‘ENVY',the ‘shoe of scandal' that both reveal and conceal a resplendent with vivid hues of gold with metallic finish....sure to make a style statement.

When Brian Tenorio began his longstanding romance with shoes , he was too small for his boots. He fondly remembers his first pair. He was young then and couldn't wait to be the size big enough to finally wear the pair he really wanted. It was such an emotion to step into them, the emotion launched a whole career.

A dress can be a bit loose or ill fitting, but not a shoe. Since comfort and style must blend together perfectly, there is deep know-how involved in producing shoes, and Tenorio understood that. But shoe couture luxury does not have to scream "RICH," he stresses. His brand targets people with a similar attitude and outlook in Manila to their clients in New York. They look for quality and style. “Very often luxury is about showing off. It’s about making a loud statement. But we don’t believe in this philosophy. I don’t want for us to be known as leaders in luxury as much as leaders in high quality.” High quality is costly too, he concedes. But luxury reminds him of something that is overpriced; it doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing as quality.

Totally so involved in designing , BRIAN TENORIO's shoe echoes elegance and perfection.