VIKTOR

VIKTOR x MONDAY

2011-01-17T06:10:00.000-08:00

VIKTOR X SAMSUNG NX10

2010-08-10T23:00:00.000-07:00

VIKTOR X SAMSUNG NX10

2010-08-05T02:23:00.000-07:00

VIKTOR x BOTTOMSHELF

2010-08-03T05:39:00.000-07:00

We just got back from Pampanga to knock out the photoshoot and finally got a decent wifi connection to do a post. A couple of days ago, we went to Viktor to purchase my very own custom selvedge five pocket denim and also to meet with Ino (Victorino Caluza) for a little meeting of the minds. We had the pleasure of interviewing him so keep an eye open for that video in the near future. Ino (who obviously has a great taste in architecture judging from his shops) is a selfmade success story if you ever heard of one. He started his business literally from the ground up with only 2k pesos (about $40) capital. Two stores and a heap of superstar clienteles later, Viktor is now the denim capital of the Philippines (in my own humble opinion) and truly the cream of the crop. I say this not because elites flock his boutiques on the daily, but because of his attention to detail and quality of his product. Aside from denim, Viktor also produces cut and sew pieces that are a cross between DR. Romanelli and Rick Owens, not too shabby. The new addition to their line ups is a line called Vik which deserves more than a gander so check it out here. We also discussed a future project between Viktor and Bottom Shelf and the only thing I can say is "anticipate this one because it will be a banger". It will obviously have something to do with the word DENIM. You can follow posts from their website here, but for now, enjoy the short strand of images we've captured from that day. Come follow.

VIKTOR X RIQUEZA + vik on MEMBERS ONLY

2010-04-13T00:08:00.000-07:00

lookbook vik 1st collection

2010-03-18T01:01:00.000-07:00

vik x carlos

2010-03-09T01:14:00.001-08:00

LOOK BOOK 2010

2009-12-26T19:08:00.000-08:00

VIKTOR HOLIDAY COLLECTION 09

2009-12-19T19:29:00.000-08:00

MODEL: JOE SUMMERS
PHOTOGRAPHY : FRANK HOEFSMIT
STYLING: CARLOS CONCEPCION

VIKTOR on WHY YOU DO WHAT YOU DO

2009-11-29T07:37:00.000-08:00

WYD EP. 10 - INO CALUZA, VIKTOR JEANS from WYD1 on Vimeo.

WATCH OUT!

2009-11-22T09:28:00.001-08:00

NEW STYLES

2009-09-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

VIKTOR X BLACKMARKET

2009-08-20T06:44:00.001-07:00

vik x marvin x frank

2009-08-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

clothes: vik / viktor / flashboy
photo: frank hoefsmit
model : marvin kiefer

VIKTOR ON NO VU

2009-08-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

NU VO in partnership with ENJOY PHILIPPINES brings to you another night of

NU VOGUE
August 12, 2009, Wednesday | 9pm onwards
Nu Vo Al Fresco Area Greenbelt 2

Come in your best pair of jeans and make sure you look great in them to get a chance to win a new pair of

VIKTOR JEANS

A pair will go to one lucky male and female who will show up most fabulous in either their own pair of VIKTORS or any other brand of jeans.

On top of this, ENJOY PHILIPPINES will give away FREE KITS to those who pose the funniest with the GIANT ENJOY CARD.

To learn more about ENJOY, please click on the link below:
www.enjoythebest.ph

It's a night filled with great prizes, freebies, and a whole lot of fun! Make sure to register or to bring your business card to qualify for the raffle.

Powered by:
CAVA VALLFORMOSA
FINLANDIA PREMIUM VODKA
ROGUE MAGAZINE - official media partner

Music by:
DJs John Monreal and Arnel Genterone

Nu Vo is located at the Ground Level of Greenbelt 2
Ayala Center Makati City
nuvomakati@yahoo.com
756.36.98

VIKTOR on CLAVEL issue 7

2009-08-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

IN VIKTOR WE TRUST
They come in different cuts, styles and shades.Keep trying on and buying as much as wherever your gaze falls on but sometimes finding the right one is enough. In fact, it is that unrelenting need to find that perfect pair, that sometimes one ends up with more than how much one actually uses. Even when most find dusty piles of them at the back of one’s closet, many believe they can never have enough. Jeans.

Jeans are the very reason that it is not unusual that Victorino “Ino” Caluza often wakes up close to dawn with his cellphone going off. It has been this way for the last five years. There are text messages thanking him and saying that his jeans are the reason they just went home with the objects of their affection hours ago. That is where Ino Caluza got his brand’s slogan, “A good pair of Viktor can get you laid”. But do they really? Ino, the owner of Viktor Jeans claims this is true, “It is all in the fit. And the attitude that comes along with it.” Ino has had this love affair with denim pants for as long as he remembers. He collected designer labeled jeans, and even some one cannot find in retail stores. Fueled by his undying need to find that perfect pair, his collection has gone up to about a hundred pairs already. But from that hundred that he has collected over the years, he only has five of them that he favors and actually uses. He would wear them over and over, exhausting them for all kinds of occasions. He favored them from the rest mainly because how the pants made him look and feel. They fit him almost perfectly compared to the others. It was because of this love for jeans and to also earn money to fund his collection that Ino thought of delving into the denim business himself. 2003 became the start of Viktor Jeans, a store which tailors and designs their products specifically to their clients’ personality and partiality. The brand’s philosophy is all about sticking to the basics. No gimmicks. No embellishments. Just the basic demin. Molding their jeans to the clients’ every curve and liking. So that no pair of Viktor Jeans is like any other. It is assured that every pair of Viktor Jeans is one of a kind.

A client comes in looking for the perfect pair of jeans and what Viktor Jeans strives to do is---that a client also comes back and walks out with the perfect pair of jeans, along with a newfound confidence while wearing them. A one-on-one in-depth interview of each client is conducted; covering the specifics: the jeans’ color, cut, thread, fabric texture, even the client’s lifestyle and personality, down to the very last morsel of detail. So that the finished product is at par with the client’s idea of the perfect pants, down to its very last thread. Viktor Jeans has captured the attention of fashionistas, celebrities, and the high society crowd. But for the five years that the brand has been operating, Ino Caluza has already branched out to widen his market. Aside from the Viktor Originals (the first batch, priced around P4,500), other collection lines have emerged since. There are the Viktor Supremes (demin line with extremely intricate stitching and details, priced P5,000-6,000), Viktor Premiums (denim line that is slightly detailed, priced around P6,500), Viktor Exclusives (limited edition denim line, priced P6,000-7,000), and Lord Viktor (denim line priced P8,000-9,000). Viktor Jeans also caters to the much younger crowd. Vik denim line is the discounted version of Viktor Originals. It is more affordable (priced P3,000-3,500) for those clients who are 21 years of age and younger. And more recently, viktorino, the Little Viktor denim line was launched for children (priced P1,500-2,000). The brand has also put ready-to-wear jeans in their stores in Podium, Trinoma and Greenbelt.

After a huge success the Philippines, Viktor Jeans has opened business internationally. In Singapore, hip and trendy upscale clothing store The Black Market carries the Viktor line alongside other exclusive brands. In Sydney, Australia, Viktor Jeans are being resold online by a group who buys the jeans in bulk. Since it is near difficult to sell custom fit denim outside the Philippines, Viktor Jeans offers its products in four different fits. Skinny fit, regular straight cut, carrot cut and straight
skinny.

The owner of Viktor Jeans says the brand plans to stay here for the long haul and become a complete clothing line in time. Not just opening shops and helping people get laid all over the Philippines, but ideally all over the whole of Asia as well.
Even though Ino of Viktor Jeans is deep in the denim industry, he still finds time to put together his love for jeans with his other passion. Sneakers. Ino believes that if you’re into jeans, you should be into sneakers as well. Ino has a collection of more than fifty pairs of white Adidas Originals. He had collaboration with Adidas and was named ambassador of the brand for one year.
- SMOKIN’ A.PE

VIKTOR : Brand Profile on WGSN

2009-08-01T06:45:00.000-07:00

Bluest of the Blue

2009-08-01T06:23:00.000-07:00

VIKTOR DENIM REPUBLIK SALE!

2009-08-01T02:51:00.000-07:00

vhea, arkin & denzel for viktorino

2009-02-20T15:55:00.000-08:00

Viktor on Singapore's JUICE Magazine

2009-02-12T18:48:00.000-08:00

PIED PIPER OF DENIM

Text Dianna Tai
Images Walter Villa

These days, finding the ideal pair of jeans is no easy feat. It’s all
about the right fit, the right colour and the right everything. But
when all hopes of finding that perfect pair of denim seems bleak,
Philippine-based power designer, Victorino “Ino” Caluza, swings right
by to cover your ass. How? With some amazing designs, devout
dedication to denim, and most importantly, some wicked character.
So behold the birth of his denim project, Viktor (the avant-garde
spelling of his first name).

Having dipped his nimble fingers into garment artistry and
entrepreneurship at a fairly young age (as a kid, he sold cartoon
drawings, ice cream and toys), Ino’s working philosophy is all about
meeting his client’s needs and demands to make them a really
happy bunch. With intense research, a serious jeans collection and
trial-and-error, today, the young Filipino is spearheading a large series
of immaculately refined, razor sharp and smooth sculptural designs
that speak to our modern aesthetics. His collection of denim comes
in four distinct and elegantly labeled series: Viktor Originals (the first
batch of unnumbered denim with 11 series already in its bag), Viktor
Premium (a slightly more detailed collection that comes with its
own production number), Viktor Exclusive (a limited edition line with
only 60 pairs produced to date), and Viktor Supreme (an extremely
labourious series that comes with intricate stitchings and detailing).
But not content with just mass producing season after season of
well-made jeans, the pied piper of denim is also about making
custom fit threads to better suit your individual silhouette. Yes,
he’s taking a trip down to our sunny little island to give you a
consultation, let you have a go at choosing your desired fabric, take
your measurements and then work on your denim over the next two
weeks. With that, it’s no wonder his list of clientele now includes the
likes of celebrities, trend-setters and of course, us here at .

For more on the ready-to-wear and made-to-order denim
collection, web-swing to
viktordenimrepublik.blogspot.com
or pop on down to
Blackmarket, 19 Jalan Pisang T: 6296 8512,
the exclusive retailer of Viktor, to set an appointment with Ino
Caluza’s measuring tape.

VIKTOR X VALENTINE

2009-02-12T07:26:00.001-08:00

Denzel & Arkin for Viktorino

2009-02-09T07:27:00.000-08:00

viktorino- the little viktor

2009-02-01T01:16:00.000-08:00

Designed for kids age 10 and below, the new viktorino kustom made denim is now available in Trinoma, Podium and Greenbelt 5

VIKTOR IN SINGAPORE

2009-01-17T21:56:00.000-08:00

VIKTOR is now available in Singapore.
Please checkout the BLACKMARKET Shop located at
19 Jalan Pisang, Singapore 199084, T +65 6296 8512.
Photos courtesy of http://www.streething.com

VIKTOR IN AUSTRALIA

2009-01-17T21:39:00.000-08:00

VIKTOR is now available in Australia.
Please check out http://viktorjeans-oz.com

DESIGNER JEANS, THY NAME IS VIKTOR

2009-01-17T20:56:00.000-08:00

By Chupsie Medina
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 03:28:00 12/12/2008
Photos by Walter C. Villa

If there is one thing you can be sure about Ino Caluza, it’s his extensive knowledge of jeans. The founder of Viktor Denim Republik Inc., 30-year-old Ino is a self-confessed serial jeans collector. “I have about a hundred pairs of jeans,” he admits. And these are not your commercial mall-available brands.

Ino’s passion for jeans is largely the reason why he became an entrepreneur five years ago. Many in his collection, while carrying premium and exclusive brands, did not fully fit his expectations. “I ended up wearing three to five jeans over and over again,” he says.

The other reason why he chose to buy his own materials and have them custom-made was the cost. Good Italian or European jeans were often priced in five figures. His earnings as a graphic designer were no match for his fashion appetite. “I saw this as an opportunity to save money,” says Ino.

“I went to Divisoria [Manila’s flea market area] to buy cloths, brought them to Marikina where all those fake jeans tailors worked, offered to pay them double their rates as long as they stuck to my meticulous sewing and cutting instructions,” Ino says.

PREMIUM PRICING

Friends liked the custom-designed jeans they saw on Ino and placed orders. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ino put a name on the jeans.

First, it was the Viktor tag. Then, to differentiate age segments, Ino introduced Vik to cater to the youth aged 22 and below, and Viktorino for children. Recently, to establish his premium brand, Lord Viktor was born.

“This is the higher-priced jeans not only because of the more expensive materials but even the sewing process,” he says.

Capitalizing on the brand, Viktor jeans set out to reach a new market that he saw was largely untapped. Like most party animals, Ino and his friends were fastidious dressers, who would pay for good quality clothing at premium pricing, even if these were locally made.

Pricing indeed became one of the differentiating factors in Ino’s business. He opened a new market in the country among fashionistas, who were willing to buy a pair of branded jeans that was not as expensive as those coming out from signature denim fashion houses in Japan, the United States and Europe, but were well made.

By paying P2,000-P4,000 more, Viktor clients were able to buy perfectly fit jeans to suit their taste, and still be comfortable wearing them at a star-studded occasion without fear of bumping into someone donning the same designed pair.

The Lord Viktor tag, which sells for P1,000-P2,000 more than the ordinary Viktor jeans that go for P3,000 to P5,000 each, likewise found a clientele base that preferred only the best materials and workmanship.

GOIN PLACES

With the growing number of customers queuing for their fitting, Ino’s carefully designed corner in his condo unit became too small. This was when he decided to open a shop in The Podium, an upscale mall in the Ortigas business district. Incidentally, this also encouraged him to pursue a ready-to-wear line.

Moving to The Podium gave the business more accessibility, not only with his long-standing clients, but with new customers, who would patronize other shops at the high-end mall.

In early 2007, a year after opening Viktor in The Podium, he brought the brand to the newly opened TriNoma mall in Quezon City. Sales were low in the first few months, which Ino attributed to the fact that the mall was relatively new and the specific location of the jeans shop was not the most ideal.

In contrast, the new Viktor in the high-end Greenbelt 5 mall in the Makati business district is faring better and opening doors that Ino had only dared to dream of.

“We have more expatriate clients in Greenbelt 5, foreigners who do not quibble too much about the cost of a pair of jeans and instead are happy with good quality fabric and make,” he says.

One FilipinoAustralianclient had become so enamored with Viktor jeans that he proposed to bring the brand to Sydney. That’s now in the pipeline, although Ino says he has already started shipping pairs by the bulk to the city.

This month, Viktor will definitely be in Singapore’s pricey Black Market, a boutique that is known to carry exclusive brands. “I have always believed in thinking big. I had dreamed of Viktor in Asia. I continue to dream of Viktor in the world,” he says.

RESPONSIBLE EMPLOYEER

Now that Ino has with finality chosen the path of entrepreneurship, he has also opted to don the role of a socially responsible provider to his employees and family. “My three sisters and their husbands are part of the business. And my employees are part of the family,” he says.

There is now a three-story building in Antipolo City, where his atelier and production line are housed. Many of the people, who work with him are the original staff—cutters, sewers, fitters—who Ino had trained when the business was just starting. And Ino intends to keep these people for as long as he can.

The growing responsibility perhaps is also the reason why he cannot stop innovating.

“You have to have a new idea every month. Never be complacent,” he says.

True enough, there is always something new in his shops.

Through it all, despite the demands of the business on him, Ino says he continues to enjoy what he is doing. “You have to have a passion for your business. This is what keeps me going.”

DECEMBER - SINGAPORE FITTINGS

2008-12-03T21:21:00.000-08:00

VIKTOR X 3

2008-11-28T20:45:00.000-08:00

Viktor Citizens! Come and celebrate with us as we open our 3rd flagship store at the 2F of Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center on December 01 2008. Strike a pose in your Viktors in our LIVE Photo session with Walter C. Villa to commemorate the 3 conquered cities of Viktor Denim Republik - MANILA, SINGAPORE & SYDNEY and WIN fabulous prices. Enjoy our 1st Mark Down Price - 3 year Roll Back, for 3 days starting December 1. Cocktails start at 5PM. Supported by Ayala Malls, Rene Barbier Wines and Frenzy Condoms

GREENBELT 5 VIKTOR

2008-11-28T18:31:00.000-08:00

Principal Architect : Sonny Sunga - JAGNUS Design
Contractor: JAGNUSTEN CORP.
Photos: Walter C. Villa

GB5 Store Soon!!!!

2008-11-11T03:12:00.001-08:00

NEW SINGAPORE NUMBER

2008-10-23T22:47:00.001-07:00

got some love from steel closet

2008-10-07T07:59:00.000-07:00

big thanks!

VENUE FOR VIKTOR

2008-10-07T05:32:00.000-07:00

FOR MORE SCHEDULES: PLEASE CONTACT JAMES ONG

viktor singapore fitting

2008-10-03T21:46:00.001-07:00

OR YOU CAN CALL +65 8343 2330

viktor fashion show - sydney

2008-10-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

viktor at stylebible.ph

2008-10-02T10:27:00.000-07:00

VIKTOR LAUNCH IN SYDNEY

2008-09-25T03:12:00.000-07:00

VIKTOR PODIUM

2008-08-04T05:58:00.000-07:00

CECILE ZAMORA VAN STRATEN X VIKTOR

2008-07-30T06:49:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, Viktor collaborated with Cecile Zamora Van Straten for a pair of polka dotted balloon pants. It was modelled by Kerin Ching for our photo exhibit - Zero Inhibitions, the Viktor Originals Exhibit. Even Bryanboy modelled it and posted it on his site (eventually he got the prototype jeans). A lot of inquiries after, too bad two jeans were only made for that fabric and a short version too. But for those who are willing to have the same style, Viktor can do the same cut on different fabrics though.

Now even the other blogs have picked it up. steelcloset

Thanks BRYANBOY and CECILE

PATENTED

2008-07-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

VIKTOR GOES TO SYDNEY

2008-07-29T06:17:00.000-07:00

SOON.......................

contact 0405 055142 - JEFFVIK CABALLERO

viktor ORIGINALS FASHION SHOW

2008-07-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

VIKTOR DENIM REPUBLIK

2008-07-25T06:14:00.000-07:00

VIKTOR ORIGINALS FASHION SHOW

2008-07-25T05:07:00.000-07:00

DESIGN A VIKTOR

2008-07-23T21:10:00.001-07:00

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

http://designaviktor.multiply.com

VIKTOR ORIGINALS EXHIBIT

2008-07-21T05:40:00.000-07:00

Viktor Jeans: Framing the Edge

If there is one article of clothing that since its invention has been established as a universal must-have, then it would have to be jeans. Over the years, men and women alike have come to acquire jeans, pairing it with a myriad of tops to achieve looks fit for any occasion, from casual to formal. Jeans have definitely become a style stapled in any one’s closet, with its functional and flexible design.

Last July 18, 2008, an edgy and innovative vibe was in the air when Viktor, a designer jeans label that custom-fits and designs each pair of jeans for every individual client, launched its newest line of Viktor Originals at the Atrium of the Podium, with the Zero Inhibitions: The Viktor Originals Exhibit. With the aim to re-invent and introduce pairs of high-quality and form-fitting jeans, Viktor’s makes its customers feel richer, fitter and happier with every pair of Viktor made especially for them.

Using Viktor Originals jeans as inspiration, the creative artworks of eleven outstanding individuals from the industries of fashion, photography, public relations, film, music and journalism were unveiled and featured during this one-of-a-kind launch. Each of the exhibitors, with their sound inventive and artistic intuitions, presented their interpretations of the Viktor Original Jeans, in creative and unconventional poses.

Rajo Laurel, premier fashion designer, made use of a lush green milieu to create a spectacular Lomo-esque look for his piece, working really well with the structure of Viktor jeans. Newspaper columnist Cecile Van Straten also lent her creative vision to the exhibit, using a Comme des Garçons-inspired approach, which showed her unique sense of style and her fondness for freedom. Keren Pascual, PR master, generated a hip and modern look with a brilliant execution, using water as his one-of-a-kind canvas. Divine Lee, model and real-estate heiress, opted to convey the mystery and majesty of Viktor Jeans with the landscape of the historic Stonehenge as her backdrop. Idris Vicuña, film student and performer, provided a punk-ish feel with his Gemini-inspired visual. Frank Hoefsmit, talented fashion photographer, accomplished a three-dimensional effect with the clever use of body contour and shadow. Photographer Dakila Angeles used a pair of Viktor Jeans as his visual centerpiece, utilizing a minimalist effect. Interior designer Anton Barretto drew up a portrayal of sensuality with Viktor Jeans as elements of seduction. Niccolo Cosme, photographer and “headshotmeister,” communicated photographic triumph via a complex interpretation using flight as his visual peg. Freelance fashion photographer Walter Villa, represented youthful edginess by photographing his daughter, wearing Viktor jeans paired with a meaningful gaze. Diether Ocampo, full-time actor and part-time photographer, defined the natural sexiness of Viktor Jeans by highlighting the red hue of the jeans and the alluring and natural beauty of his female model.

Aside from the attention-grabbing photos of the exhibitors, a fashion show, featuring other designs of the Viktor Originals and Viktor Supreme Jeans series, took place.
Guests were then invited to visit the newly renovated Viktor Denim Gallery at the 4th floor of the Podium, to witness more of the classic edginess offered by the designer jeans label.

The guests, notable personalities from the world of fashion, photography and the media, together with Viktor’s loyal clients, especially enjoyed and immersed themselves in the youthful exceptionality of the event, as ice-cold Coke Zero was served during the sumptuous cocktails.

Truly a cutting-edge affair, the Zero Inhibitions: Viktor Originals Exhibit testified to the edgy and unconventional identity that is the genius of Viktor Jeans founder and jeans engineer Victorino “Ino” Caluza, Jr. With Viktor’s impeccable jeans making know-how and consistent ingenuity, the universal jeans transcend the ordinary, affording customers the undeniable satisfaction that comes with each flawlessly flattering Viktor creation.

VIKTOR ORIGINALS EXHIBIT

2008-07-14T05:53:00.000-07:00

ZERO INHIBITIONS
The Viktor Originals Exhibit

Featuring
the creative
works of

Rajo Laurel
Cecile Van-Straten
Keren Pascual
Divine Lee
Idris Vicuna
Frank Hoefsmit
Dakila Angeles
Anton Barretto
Niccolo Cosme
Walter Villa
and Diether Ocampo

Vik model search on QTV Hired

2008-06-02T07:45:00.000-07:00

Calling all aspiring male model - be the face of vik jeans. QTV's job reality search HIRED is looking for the next "it" guy. If you are between 17 to 23 years old. atlest 5'8" in height, has exceptional good looks, physically fit and has pleasing personality, bring your resume with head shot and body photo or setcard/portfolio to BlueWhale Design Chatham Building Valero St. Cor Rufino St. Salcedo Village Makati City on June 3. See you there!!!!

Viktor at NET23 Tribe

2008-05-25T08:57:00.000-07:00

DENIMS THE WAY YOU WANT IT

2007-12-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

By Regina G. Posadas
Photos by Shaira Luna

Ino Caluza, the young, cutting-edge creator of Viktor jeans, continues to captivate the meticulous, the famous, and the fashion-conscious by offering them the jeans of their dreams.

“I don’t know. I just give what my clients want and make them happy,” candidly confesses the innovative Ino Caluza when asked about marketing strategies for his phenomenal, personalized Viktor Jeans. Considering his enviable clientele (of celebrities, fashionistas and clothing connoisseurs) and their devotion to the brand (1 or 2 Viktors won’t do; they have to have multiple pairs), this straightforward and practical approach appears to be all he needs.

But then Victorino “Ino” Caluza, Jr. has always showed good sense. He started selling at an early age – things like ice candy, toys, and cartoon drawings. While in college, he had a side project retailing t-shirts and boxer shorts. “I guess I got my entrepreneurial streak from my mom. When I was a kid, I remember my mom doing small business selling food items in our place. That eventually led me to selling ice candy and other stuff.”

Ino, whose mom is a housewife and dad a Navy retiree, always knew that he’d have his own business someday. “Something in fashion was not in my plans though. I used to think it would be a graphic design business,” he discloses. He did get into graphic design after graduation, working for several local firms and as an art director of a record company overseas. But it was his obsession for jeans, along with his ingenuity, that spawned Viktor in 2003.

“At that time, I just wanted to save some money by not buying all these expensive brands that I’ve been collecting,” he recalls. Partial then to designer jeans like Diesel, Ino would shell out thousands of pesos for every purchase. He decided to end the madness by having his own jeans made. “I started small, with only P1000, by buying jeans fabric in Divisoria.” Creative by nature, and as an artist who had done several exhibits, Ino had no trouble conceptualizing what he wanted. He went to a tailor and asked him to replicate his designs. Friends were impressed with the finished product and Ino’s made-to-order enterprise was born.

To better understand the needs and inclinations of denim lovers, as well as contemporary trends, Ino researched online, seriously studied his jeans collection – their fit, style and fabric quality, and consulted his clotheshorse pals about their preferences. He discovered that when it comes to jeans, finding the perfect fit was paramount to most people, and that it overrode brand, style and price in importance.

He labeled his denims “Viktor”, from his real name Victorino, but with a “k” since “Victor” was already a registered brand, and because nearly all reputable and conquering brands carry the designers’ moniker. A distinctive “V” logo, resembling an upturned pair of pants, completed the picture.

Ino also absorbed as much as he could about fabric making, apprenticing for Litton Mills, then Asia’s biggest jeans manufacturer and fabric supplier for denim heavyweights such as Guess, Levi’s, Armani and Calvin Klein. He furthered his tailoring know-how with the help of renowned designer Rajo Laurel. Together with his original designs, all of this wisdom was applied to his first batch of jeans, which sold out immediately.

Four years after its inception, Viktor jeans are still very much revered and coveted, easily commanding around P5000 a pair. “I would say my prices are higher than mass-marketed jeans such as Levi’s and Lee, but cheaper than designer jeans like Diesel, Seven, Evisu or GStar,” Ino points out. But then a Viktor is meant to be “the best fitting jeans in your closet.”

Every pair of Viktor embodies uniqueness, custom-made to an individual’s specifications and harmonized with Ino’s signature and specialized details. It hides flaws as well, while accentuating the positive, attest regulars of the brand. “Exclusivity and a good fit,” says Ino, are what make his label stand out.

The opening of Viktor stores in two malls – The Podium in April 2006 and Trinoma in May 2007 – has intensified brand recognition and appreciation even more. Ino describes his first year at the mall as an auspicious start. “I got a lot of free marketing from my TV interviews and magazine pictorials, and there was a lot of positive response to the store. The Podium opening was a great success because I opened it after two years of doing business in my condo unit. People are excited that I am finally more accessible and open seven days a week,” he explains. Being a high end mall with a good, low traffic, The Podium was also ideal for Viktor’s sophisticated clients. Business was even better on his second year, says Ino, “since a lot of people are already familiar with the brand.”

Nevertheless, Viktor’s integration into the mall scene wasn’t totally seamless. A BS Mathematics, major in Computer Science graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas, Ino admits he is “still learning the business side of it, particularly the accounting part.” He claims he isn’t financially savvy. “I don’t have a business background and I still have to formalize my accounting process.” He’s had to deal with a few “evil clients” too in the past two years, especially when he opened his Podium shop. “I’ve had my share...but I guess it comes with the business. Three designer friends told me that it’s the norm [for them]. I guess I’m still lucky though. So far, only 2 clients dared to warn us that they will sue us for not getting their jeans on time or getting the right fit!” He laughingly shares.

There are other challenges. He mentions the off-putting Filipino crab mentality he has encountered firsthand as the recipient of nasty comments from people who want to put the brand down. Another problem is sourcing out new materials. Big companies, for example, prefer bulk purchases and aren’t willing to sell low volume of materials.

These difficulties however have not deterred Viktor’s genius from harnessing his expertise and professionalism to the hilt, and from giving customers the best fitting jeans they could ever have. Ino means to keep on improving customer relations and satisfying his clients’ needs. To spice things up, his stores now offer a variety of other denim wear like jackets, skirts and shorts. Included in his emergent plans are the releases of the younger, less pricey diffusion line called Vik, and the higher end, more mature Lord Viktor, which will supply suits and slacks, plus the kids’ line he tagged Viktorino.

There’s no question about it – Ino relishes his trade, although he rues the loss of his anonymity. He is hands-on and totally involved in his business – from choosing the fabrics to designing all the jeans – and thorough too, “because I believe God is in the details. I get easily upset if my customer isn’t fully satisfied with us.” He jokes about the fact that three of his family members work for him. “There are a lot of advantages and disadvantages [of having them in your business], but...you just have to work it out so you can make the best of it. Trust is a great factor in hiring them...but you can’t fire them as much as you would wish sometimes!” he jests.

What makes him successful? “I guess I just love what I’m doing, and partly it’s because of my creative side and good aesthetics. These help a lot in convincing our clients that we know what we are doing and we are good at that,” he says. He lists several things about his business and being an entrepreneur that give him a kick: “Meeting all these different personalities and having a good relationship with them; seeing all your jeans being worn by the local fashionistas, celebrities and socialites; getting good comments from clients who had their first share of the Viktor experience; knowing [that idea] that no matter what size you are in, we can make you a good fitting and decent pair [of jeans].”

Virtually anyone desiring an original, perfect-fitting pair of denims and who isn’t monetarily-challenged can have a Viktor. The actual target market, however, are “fashionable people who are always on the lookout for new trends.” Viktor also has in mind individuals who have a hard time buying jeans owing to size constraints, and therefore need bespoke ones. “It’s kind of niche marketing but it really pays off because we are known for great fitting jeans and being into trends,” says Ino, who has crafted and engineered pants for all types and shapes, and for clients as diverse as a 300-pound biggie to a 90+-pound featherweight.

Scoring a one-of-a-kind, made-just-for-you pair of Viktors requires a personal visit to the store. Come as a walk-in customer or arrange for an appointment in advance. The client gets fitted, his measurements taken, and he receives advice on the type of jeans that is most flattering for his body. Next, he chooses the style, the fabric and the flourishes. “The client and the denim specialist will decide on a lot of details that will go with the jeans such as color of stitches, rivets and buttons, leathers, etc.,” says Ino. Depending on the current productions, it usually takes his 12-man, Antipolo-based atelier seven to ten days to create a new pair. Rush job orders need three to five days. When the jeans are ready, the customer is informed and he can try on his Viktors.

Some of the most prominent and recognizable faces in our country already don Viktors yet Ino still has a few dream clients – “hotshot A-list Hollywood celebrities, or those lousy politicians wearing baggy jeans,” he reveals. For now, he intends to sustain his buyers’ allegiance by offering new designs every month, and devising attractive promos like his existing 10 + 1, which rewards a loyal client a free pair of Viktors worth P6000 for every ten pairs of jeans he buys. And despite the accolades, it’s a given that Viktor will continue to evolve and enthrall, for complacent is something its mastermind isn’t and will never be.

In closing, über designer Ino imparts some wise words to wannabe entrepreneurs. “Make sure that the kind of business you are dealing with is something that you will enjoy for the rest of your life. Improve and innovate. It’s not enough that you have a good product. Love your job, love your clients no matter how demanding they are because it’s the only way you can make your product more covetable. Remember that fashion is about exclusivity...and exclusivity has a higher price tag attached to it.”
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Strategy tip

PRICE IS RELATIVE

People’s needs, priorities and tastes vary; what is vital to one could be trivial to another, and what is costly to some may be a bargain to others. That’s why Viktor’s Ino Caluza remains unaffected by remarks that his jeans are too expensive. “That’s their opinion. If they deem my denims too pricey, [then I just think] they probably are not my market. There are a good number of people who would pay for designer jeans that cost 15k to 20k, and we only charge an average of 5k. Price is relative. If you can’t afford it, then try another brand,” he suggests.
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PROBLEM
Customers order from all over the world. Should you expand and open stores abroad?

SOLUTION
Not so fast. Build the brand first in your home turf. Although Ino Caluza has clients in Singapore, New York, Paris and Hong Kong ordering by mail or phone, he believes a strong Asian presence should come first before an international invasion.
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Insight

Sometimes the customer isn’t right

If your client’s initial purchase choice makes you cringe, suggest another one that may be more suited for him. Ino Caluza doesn’t think twice about giving his honest opinion to a customer, particularly one whose feel for fashion does not befit him or her at all. So Ino and his team give a lot of advice to their fashion-clueless clients, and “surprisingly, they do listen to us.” And clients love him more for it.

2007-09-24T07:30:00.000-07:00

ROGUE MAGAZINE

smokin' in the boys room

photographed by DARREN TIESTE
styled by MILLET ARZAGA

on Nagae: Calvin Klein Tank top. Viktor Jeans. Wade checkered suspenders
Terranova blacl suspender Anthology skull belt. Viktor jeans. DR. Martens boots
On Giselle: LZ punzalan leather tops. Wade boots.

On Nagae: Teranova suspenders. Viktor Jeans. Mumbaki dog tags

on Nagae: Calvin Klein Tank top. Viktor Jeans. DR. Martens boots

on Nagae: Calvin Klein Tank top. Viktor Jeans. Wade checkered suspenders
Terranova blacl suspender Anthology skull belt. Viktor jeans. DR. Martens boots
On Giselle: Bare Essentials PVC Corset. Viktor Jeans. Cole Haan shoes

V1-Redux Visa

2007-08-24T02:50:00.000-07:00

CHEERS!!!

2007-08-23T19:45:00.000-07:00

UPDATE!!!!
A toast for the FIRST HUNDRED Viktor Citizen! A FREE bottle of the new Rene Barbier Merlot wine comes with the Limited Edition V1_Redux. Get your Viktor Denim Republik PASAPORTE now! Your VISA will EXPIRE on SEPTEMBER 15. CHEERS!!!

THE REPUBLIK TURNS 4

2007-08-23T19:35:00.001-07:00

TOP SECRET!!!
For all those Viktor Citizen who have been a big part
of the Viktor Denim Republik, to commemorate our
4th Anniversary, a Pasaporte will be issued & a Visa for
you to avail the Limited Edition V1_Redux at a special
price only for VIP's. Premium Discounts EXPIRES ON
September 15, 2007!. So call your Denim Specialists
and get your Pasaporte now!

Podium - 6316440
TRinoma - 9013044

Future Looks Perfect

2007-08-17T20:52:00.000-07:00

Circuit Training by JR Isaac

The recently launched Motorola concept store provided experience, service and sales to customer in an environment of cutting-edge design and high technology. It raises the the total consumer experience to a new level, offering customers heightened interaction. The after sales service is more accessible as well, and the brand has a dedicated sales station and moto agents who cater to a customer's specific needs. The Motorola concept store has a characteristic lok that is innovative and stylish, with the very front and center of the store highlighting the latest fromo Motoroa: the sleek Moto KRZR K3, as well as the Moto KRZR in fabulous colors such as black, blue, red, silver and gold.

INO CALUZA
How would you describe your shopping habits?

It revolves around the idea of collecting specific items. I'm not into current trends or fads. I go for classic designs that last a lifetime, from my collections of vintage buckled belts and tees to boxers to my current obsession now: classic sneakers. For the past month, I've been collecting a lot of all-white trainers but lately I've been buying a black and colored ones too. I'm partial to Adidas, Vans, Converse, Puma and Nike -- I don't go for designer labels. I will probably go for classic modern chairs next, given the right budget

Denim Invasion

2007-08-17T20:21:00.000-07:00

Philippine Star
August 17, 2007

CHEERS!
By: DJ Montano

Ino Caluza, the maven behind Viktor jeans, has become quite the household name for custome tailored jeans in the country. I even have friends around Asia who had pairs made by Ino. He has expanded his denim empire to include blazers, shirts and accessories. There are virtually hundreds of combinations one can choose when customizing your Viktor denims -- fabric, fit wash, style, accent..

Ino will soon embark on creating a new label called Lord Viktor which will offer more tailored suits and jackets for the lady and the gentleman who prefer a more normal look but still want to retain the rugged edge and fit of Viktor. Come September vik will be launched--a label that is hipper and will cater more to a younger set. This very dynamic designer even has plans to launch a denim labek for kids next year, which he will most likely call Viktorino.

Vests are definitely in again for this season. If you got the arms for it, wear it sleeveless. Otherwise, a nice fitted tee or top will do. I love the satin detailing that Ino added to the pockets. The vest is made more masculine with military shoulder straps,

This pair makes a nice contrast with the vest. White jeans make the perfect lower canvas for most any kind of top. Finding it hard to match with shoes? Sneakers in a solid color work well and so do leather dress shoes or boots. Try not to go for the white jeans and white sneakers match--it has a tendency to look too much like a uniform.

This gold speckled denim jacket will definitely make you sparkle. The single button is so a la mode. Keep jackets to the right length. More often than not, men wear jackets that are too long for them, as in "NBA length" long. The length should just end before the butt line. This jacket carries enough weight in the look-at-me department so keep the shirt you wear inside solid and simple.

Acid blue jeans are such a classic. They can be matched with most suit jackets or go perfectly well with a nice white polo top.

Go big time and go for this gold with shades for this season. This pair especially makes a statement paired with Ino's black motorycyle jacket.

This black wax coated with satin detailing definitely shouts masculinity. The exposed zipper pockets add an interesting detail and provide all the knick knacks that we all need to carry nowadays

MADELEINE ENSOR MEETS THE MAN BEHIND THE EXCLUSIVE VIKTOR JEANS

2007-08-06T18:51:00.000-07:00

As catchlines go, “Viktor Jeans can get you laid” is bound to cause some attention. But according to Victorino “Ino” Caluza, jeans designer and the man behind the coolest, er, behinds, in the country, there is more than a grain of truth in the claim.

“Somebody asked me to give them an incentive to buy my jeans,” he explains. “And I said: ‘they can get you laid’. It just stuck. The funny thing is, after a few weeks or months, a lot of people started to text me early in the mornings and say, yes, your jeans really worked!”

SELLING SUCCESS

The best selling point of Viktor jeans is Caluza himself. Handsome and so very charming, during a one-on-one with him you start to want to look and dress just like him. Even if you’re a girl. In fact, some of his male clients ask him to wear the jeans before they buy them, to give them that perfect, just-worn-in model look. That takes buying into the brand to a whole new level.

In case you don’t yet know, brand Viktor provides exclusive tailor-made jeans that make the best of your body. He clads the butts of some of the country’s most exciting movers and shakers and his client roster spans doctors, lawyers, models, actors and politicians. He’s proved stylishly successful, with tens of thousands of customers around the world. After an initial consultation – which involves a close discussion with Caluza (let’s call him Viktor) about what you want and what will suit you – your measurements and style preferences are logged so existing clients can simply phone or email to get a new pair of perfect jeans delivered wherever they are. And at PHP3,950 (US$85) to PHP5,700 (US$122) a pop and PHP7,460 (US$160) for overseas clients, the Viktor range is doing well financially, too. Well enough to start considering launching a cheaper range of less detailed jeans, called Vik, for the under twenties. Other projects in the pipeline are plans to start a Lord Viktor line that will sell suits, shirts and jackets, and Viktorino, “my Baby Gap” for kids.

THE FULL PACKAGE

Viktor, admits to offering his clients more than just a great pair of jeans. “I like giving fashion advice,” he explains. “What shoes and bags to wear; where to buy the nicest belt. I’m happy doing that, because when some male clients come back to see me they’re like different guys. They’re more confident about what kind of shirt and shoes they could buy. They’re even more confident with girls. That’s the best part of the job, making people more confident about themselves because of what kind of clothes that they wear.”

And as for his get laid guarantee: “I’ve had someone else complaining: ‘I’ve been wearing these jeans for almost a month now and I haven’t got laid.’ So I say, ‘come down to our shop and maybe we can give you an adjustment’. Maybe you’re not smiling that much, or something! We’ll give you some tips.”

SUITS YOU

As a bespoke service, Viktor jeans work for people at the cutting edge of fashion and those with unusual sizes who can’t find their perfect jeans elsewhere. The jeans are distinguished by the play on his distinctive V logo. Every pair of each design is numbered and he never produces more than a thousand of each style, so you can be assured you won’t find the same pair on too many people. Or course, for those in the know, the lower the number the better, as it means you got there first. There’s even a special free pair, given to loyal customers once they have bought 10 pairs.

So if you want to get laid, or just be one of the most stylish people in the country, get down to Viktor jeans and meet the man himself.

Making Pinoys proud, his goal is to see Viktor as a global brand that can compete with those European and American brands out there. Let’s wish him the best.

VIKTOR’S TIPS FOR STYLISH JEANS:

What’s the most popular style of jeans?

Still the straight cut or the skinny. Other styles are slowly becoming popular again, such as the trouser cut, which is a wide-leg style. The way the Asian styles fit, I think the skinny would at least be able to last for another couple of seasons, as it’s a flattering cut for small girls.

Which colors are most popular?

I get a lot of request for dark colors. I think it’s harder to buy the dark jeans in shops, because normally they sell washed varieties, not the plain raw denim.

What’s the best style for longevity?

A straight cut lasts longer when it comes to fashion. The most flattering is the boot cut because it makes you look longer and it works with many types of shoe: flats, wedges.

Are jeans becoming more acceptable in formal settings?

Yes, girls can dress them up in a nice blouse and wear them for formal gatherings.

It’s the same with guys. Wear a black jacket, dark jeans and black shoes and you can go to a wedding. Jeans transcend lots of taboos. Before, you couldn’t wear jeans to the office, but now you can. Lots of my clients are professionals and they want to wear jeans.

Address:

Viktor Denim Republic
4/F The Podium 18 ADB Avenue Ortigas Center 1550 Mandaluyong 6316440 Metro Manila
3/F Trinoma, North Edsa, Quezon City. 9013044

VIKTOR at the CLEAR SHAMPOO LAUNCH

2007-07-19T08:21:00.000-07:00

Photos by Noemi L. Dado/Video by Aileen Apolo

THE MAY LEE SHOW (Episode 3-Fashion)

2007-06-11T23:17:00.000-07:00

EPISODE 3 Fashion
Story by May Lee written on 04 Jun 2007

A show all about fashion … one word…fabulous! This was a terrific show that covered the world of fashion from an Asian perspective. We started off with two women in the industry who are experts in their own right. Joanne Ooi, Marketing and Creative Director of Shanghai Tang, the hot retailer that has made all things Chinese very chic, and Julie Sherborn, Managing Director of ACP magazines, which publishes Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and Cleo, to name just a few. We discussed the changes that the Asian fashion world has gone through over the years and how fashion designers from the region have really gotten some well-deserved recognition around the world.

I also featured a profile of the fantastic Vivienne Tam who is truly an icon in the fashion world. She gave me personal access to her show while in Singapore and really opened up about her life from her childhood growing up in Hong Kong to her struggles in the international fashion industry. She told me that in the beginning when she was trying to sell her line to New York buyers, they didn’t take her seriously because they assumed that all Asians in the fashion industry were just in the manufacturing business. She proved them wrong, that is for sure!

We also talked about how to find the right pair of jeans, which is what every woman struggles with. Ino Caluza, founder of Viktor Jeans, flew in from Manila to share his secrets about the right fit. He should know since his jeans are custom made for each and every client. Three of Ino’s clients came on the show and they looked great!

The show also featured a segment all about shoes, my weakness. We had at least 50 pairs of gorgeous shoes on the set and had stylist Trey Wong talk about the importance of a great shoe from the very high end, Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks, to the affordable Guess and Aldo shoes. The cream de la cream were a pair of green and red, silk and bejeweled Manolos … they were GORGEOUS! If I weren’t an honest, well-mannered talk show host, I would have pocketed them for sure!

And what’s a show about fashion without some makeovers, so “The May Lee Show” found three deserving women, one in her 20’s, one in her 30’s and one in her 40’s, to receive a head to toe makeover. The before and afters were incredible! I was shocked and so was the audience.

The show was action packed and so much fun!

http://themayleeshow.promos.yahoo.com/comments.php?id=33&action=r

Trinoma Store

2007-06-08T06:47:00.000-07:00

The New Viktor Denim Republik at Trinoma Mall, North Edsa, Quezon City.

Finally the 2nd store opens at the 3rd level of the new Ayala Mall - Trinoma. The Black themed shop was designed in collaboration with Sonny Sunga, Arnold Austria and the "hot guy of the moment" John Tracy "Eboy" Cruz of the young and dynamic architectural firm Jagnus10 (same people who design the soon to rise GA Sky Suites).

The shop will also house the alpha test versions of the Vik brand.

The May Lee Show!

2007-06-08T06:44:00.000-07:00

Viktor On The May Lee Show!!

V for V6

2007-05-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Goodbye O2, Hello Moto

INO CALUZA: Lord of Denim

2007-05-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

Djong Tan
Masigasig (Small & Medium Businesses)
May 2007

Maong, jeans, denim. No matter what it’s called, one thing’s for sure: we Filipinos love to wear them. And because of that, Victorino “Ino” Caluza is making fortune out of creating the perfect pair of jeans for his clients.

This denim fanatic admits that he used to buy hordes of expensive jeans. “I used to be a collector of Diesel Jeans; then I realized that I’d been spending so much money buying them, he relates. So one day, he set off for Divisoria, bought some denim fabric, and went to a tailor. Since he was a graphic designer at that time, he was able to give the tailor a pretty specific sketch of of what he wanted his jeans to look like. He had no plans of turning venture into a business, until his friends saw his jeans and decided that they wanted their own pair.
That was how Viktor Jeans came into being. Now, it’s one of the hottest designer denim brands in the country today. “Viktor jeans is all about customized denim, “ Ino explains. ”We do jeans depending on your body type, your preference when it comes to lifestyle, and even your fashion style for the moment. “The company’s thrust is quite simple, to give you the best fitting jeans you’ll ever own in your life. Celebrities, fashionistas and denim lovers (all of whom Ino refuses to name) swear by his jeans.

In the beginning, Ino would only accept clients by appointment at his Ortigas condo unit. Word of mouth help build the brand into success that it is today. In fact, word of mouth is still the only way he market his jeans. Due to the label’s popularity, he had to set up a more accessible store at The Podium. That’s where Ino encountered his biggest setbacks.
“”It was easier in Megaplaza. Normally, when you go to the condo at that time, (You already have an idea) what to expect—I like hat. But here (in Podium), it’s a different ballgame, “ Ino says. “(There are) walk-ins and sometimes people don’t have any idea about the jeans at all. “ He laments that some clients don’t get personalized jeans concept—the fact that each pair is a work of art made for you—and they balk at the price, which ranges from P3000 to P5000. And other client insist on what they want and then realize that what they want doesn’t suit them all.
He tries to each a compromise with clients by advising them about the fit, and how the actual jeans will come out.”In my case, I always give an honest opinion. (If it will not suit you), I’ll tell you right away,” Ino states. “You have to guide them very well.”
Aside from some minor client problems, Ino also admits that going it alone can be quite challenging at times. “The business side and the artist in me have to complement, or else (nothing will happen).” Admittedly more creative than business-oriented, Ino recounts times that he get so stressed because he has to think of the financial aspect of doing a business, while thinking about new designs.

Rather than dwelling on stress levels, however, Ino simply chooses to face the entire process head on. With his usual discipline, he focuses on the business aspect when need be, and finds mental release when working on the creative side. Of course, his BS Math degree from the University of Sto. Tomas has helped—making him no stranger to numbers and figures. After all, when he decided to take jeans-making to higher level, he knew what he was getting into. And he knows he has no reason to complain. “I realized that finally, I found something that I want to do for the rest of my life,” he says beaming with pride. For someone who’s barely in his 30’s, that is quite an achievement.
In fact, Ino recognizes that his age is a large part of his success. In business, although mature and older people have the advantage of experience, the creativity and energy of young entrepreneurs play a big role in success of their ventures. “(My youth) helps me a lot because, syempre yung ideas mo, mas bago,” he reflects.
Ino won’t stop with Viktor, though. He has plans for Vik, a more affordable line denim, and Lord Viktor, which will go beyond denim and into more serious realm of suits. I guess (my youth makes me) more aggressive. I’m not the only one who’s doing this (making jeans), but I’m the only one who’s doing with a brand.”

Bag it up, slip them on

2007-04-24T19:35:00.000-07:00

Business Mirror
April 23, 2007

Two exciting new fashion stores at The Podium are bringing in fresh ideas and fresh designs into what is considered basic fashion items: jeans and bags. Because they are named after people who could be your best fashionista friend, Viktor Jeans and Lulu Bags have that instant connection to young fashion independents.

Here, Viktor shares with us his thoughts on jeans…and we get a glimpse of Lulu’s chic bag culture at The Podium.

Viktor’s jeans pool

Ino Caluza is the forward-thinking designer behind Viktor Jeans, which is located on the fourth level of The Podium. Viktor comes from his birth name,
Victorino, which he slightly jazzed up for a Russian feel.

The search for perfect pair of jeans often ends at Viktor, where jeans are customized to fit each client so that assets are enhanced and figure flaws are minimized. “I know the frustrations of having jeans that are too tight, too fattening, too long or short, or too low, “ says Caluza.” That’s why I have chosen to specialize in custom-made jeans.”

The fact that skinny , slim-fit and straight-cut jeans are in complicates the matter as “they are not the most forgiving.” That’s why customizing is a cool option. The first step in getting your pair of Viktor jeans is to try on the jeans on display for size and design. Otherwise, these are made according to their measurements. Each pair of jeans comes with a 15-day warranty wherein one can bring them back for adjustments for free.

Interestingly enough, the jean designs are all named Viktor, but each one with distinct fashion character. Jeans in Exclusive collection are exclusively made for a maximum of 50 people, so there’s no clear and present danger of bumping into someone with the same pair. The Supreme collection features touches of leather, along with new pocket designs and stitching that make them a cut above the rest. Original jeans are designed by Ino himself in a classic style, while Vintage give off that retro feel . Meanwhile Premium is highlighted by touches of leather while Classic are slacks cut like denims.

For the Love of Jeans

2007-04-22T06:18:00.000-07:00

By Djong Tan
People Asia Magazine 04/21/2007

Passion has often been the driving force for successful entrepreneurs, like Ino Caluza whose Viktor Jeans are starting to become a byword among serious denim lovers.

In past issues of this magazine, we have seen how passion has brought success to various entrepreneurs. Jay Aldeguer turned his frustration into inspiration by opening Islands Souvenirs, a souvenir chain where one can find colorful products that we can bring home as pasalubong. On the other hand, photography and his incessant hunger for learning new things propelled John Chua to become a leader in the field of advertising photography. From humble beginnings as an insurance photographer, Chua is now a maverick in the world of photography.

And now comes Victorino "Ino" Caluza, whose love for jeans has fueled a fashion wildfire. This BS Math graduate from the University of Santo Tomas started out in graphic design before building the customized jeans brand, Viktor. Based on his myriad interests – painting, architecture, graphic design, and travel – he chose to take control of his own wardrobe and create jeans that fit him perfectly.

"I realized I've been spending too much buying imported jeans," he narrates, recalling the major turning point that gave us Viktor Jeans. "I was a collector of Diesel jeans before, and I just decided that if I'm going to spend all my salary buying all this, might as well make my own."

So Caluza took a trip to a local tailor, who specializes in creating imitations of various brands of jeans. Drawing from his expertise as a graphic designer, he created his own jeans using his computer, using his BS Math background in assigning the most accurate spacing and parameters on his first design – the V1. After the first prototype was made, Caluza tried it on for size, and earned the admiration of his friends, eventually getting him to design jeans for them as well.

Three years later, we find Caluza in his very own store at The Podium, entertaining clients, offering pieces of service advice to his denim specialists. Surprisingly, Viktor Jeans's "design" philosophy is actually not centered on the design.

"Viktor is not about design, it's about the fit. If it doesn't fit you well, then it doesn't mean anything," Caluza asserts. Aside from having the perfect fit, a pair of Viktors will reflect your own style and flair. You can customize your precious pair by embellishing it with leather, choosing the color of the stitching, the fabric, the rivets – everything.

So how does one go about acquiring a pair of Viktors? You can either come as a walk-in client, or, if you want undivided attention, an appointment can also be arranged. You can set an appointment with either one of the denim specialists, or with the denim guru himself. During your visit to the store, you will be given advice on the perfect pair for you, depending on your lifestyle, and how you will use the pants. You will get fitted and measured, and you get to choose your embellishments as well.

It takes about seven to 15 days to make one pair with the proper measurements and the corresponding designs. Once it's done, you will be informed that you can now try your new jeans on. Once you try it on, and find everything in perfect order, you can walk out of the store wearing your new pair. However, if you're not satisfied, they will alter it to your specifications, free of charge.

But it's not like going to your tailor and having a pair of pants made. Viktor is more than that. It has a style series that you can choose from. First, there’s the V1 Series, which is the first pair that Caluza designed.

"It's very classic, it won't go out of style," he describes. His bestsellers to date are the Viktor Premiums. This style is known for its leather accents, and though more expensive than the V1s, they attract clients because of their "collectibility." "They're numbered, so you'll know kung pang-ilan ka sa nag-order," Caluza explains.

He also has the VO range, which stands for Viktor Originals. This collection is not numbered, and anyone can order them. The most expensive of the lot is the VX, or the Viktor Exclusive. Only 60 pairs of jeans were made in this range. These are also numbered, like the Premiums, but the difference is, VXs are limited. So once the 60 pairs are sold, you can no longer have that design made.

It's clear that after three years, he has learned the ins and outs of the denim industry. One of these is getting to know his market. "I did not have a fashion background. But I know what guys want for their pants. But with girls, there's a lot to consider," he shares.

"Guys and girls have different aesthetics when it comes to jeans. With girls, they want their jeans to look like a second skin already. With guys, no way. We guys treat our jeans in a very utilitarian way – use all pockets. With girls, you wouldn't even dare."

He is now applying every little tidbit he has learned to his business, expanding and improving on it little by little. For starters, aside from denim, Viktor now offers canvas, twill, camouflage, and even corduroy material. Though these are not readily available, and require special request, it's a testament to the brand's expansion. And aside from jeans, he has included jackets, skirts, shorts, capris and other denim products.

He has also embarked on a bid to conquer other parts of the globe. Right now, Caluza is starting to cater to clients in Singapore. "I just did my first two batches in Singapore. Every two weeks I'm supposed to go there," he says.

Speaking of further expansion, Manila will soon be witness to the unveiling of two new lines – Vik and Lord Viktor. Vik, as Caluza says, is "the younger version. It's cheaper, but it's for a younger market." To be released this May, Vik operates on the same concept as Viktor in that it also specializes in customized jeans. "But I have to explain how we're going to cut the cost. There will be less choices, especially the fabric. And less styles," he explains.

Lord Viktor, on the other hand, is targeted for the folks at the other end of the spectrum. "It's a mature Viktor. You don't expect these people (clients of Viktor) to wear jeans all the time. Somehow, they will go to a wedding, and they need suits. Or they have an important occasion and they need slacks. That's where Lord Viktor comes in," Caluza relates. This line will be available next year.

As for the future of Viktor Jeans in the country, avid Viktor collectors can look forward to a new series. Caluza will be launching the Gamma Series very, very soon, which he calls his "world domination series."

"Right now, as you can see, there's no label on it, no care instructions. With the Gamma version, you'll see everything already. Parang ready na siya for export, for international recognition," he says proudly. Every pair from the Gamma Series will include a tag of sorts in the pocket, indicating the number of the pair, the tailor's name, the date of purchase, even the name of your denim specialist. It also comes with the line, "This Viktor is specifically made for ___. Hope you get laid."

The last line is Viktor's current tagline and selling point. Caluza says he coined it when he was asked why anyone should invest in a good pair of Viktors. "Because a good pair of Viktors can get you laid," he replies with a flourish.

Slowly but surely, he is turning his passion into a denim behemoth – expanding his offerings, catering to clients overseas, and creating new brands to suit more clients. He has managed to turn the everyday pants of the normal Pinoy into something more glamorous and desirable. And it all started with a pair of je

Ino for Aveo

2007-04-17T06:41:00.000-07:00

Everyones asking me, "Dude, where's your car?''

The Insider Shopping

2006-09-08T06:20:00.000-07:00

Metro
September 2006

The Perfect pair (excerpts)
Where to go to get jeans made and designed just for you
Corine Alegre
How do you find the perfect pair of jeans? Jeans have become an article of clothing that you cannot live without, and is necessary in anyones wardrobes. Denim was originally used as hard labor workwear, but as time passed, it has been transformed into a major statement, an expression of personality, and a fashion fundamental. From classics to low rise and slim-fitting embellished pieces, the jean phenomenom is the newest movement. There is a handful of styles and washes, finding the denim that suits you best has become a task. Metro tapped four jeans experts to help you find the perfect pair and keep you on the latest trends.

Ino Caluza, designer of Viktor/vik

Signature Style: I specialize in custom-fit jeans, jackets and skirts. These made-to-order pieces are measured to your body with an option to customize your jean details, such as color of denim and a selection of threads, leather accents, and rivets. My pieces are very form fitting, and classic but edgy. There’s an infinite choice of fabrc colors, from dark raw denim to colored, from which you could select your desired wash effect.

How much and where to get them: For Viktor it’s Php 4,000- Php 6,000; you can visit the 4f, The Podium in Ortigas Center. And for vik --- it’s php2700—3900 opening at the Ayala’s Trinoma in North Edsa this coming May 2007.

Filipino and Proud: VIKTOR Couture Jeans

2006-09-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

Cherry Pacheco-Uy
Posted in Cherry's Picks, Fashion for Women | Send to a Friend |

Question: Why pay P4,000+ for a pair of locally-made jeans, if you can buy an imported pair for less?

Answer: Because a good pair of Viktor can get you laid.

So goes the mantra at VIKTOR, where jeans are custom-designed to fit each client so that figure flaws are minimized, assets enhanced. In fact, each pair of VIKTOR jeans comes with a 15-day warranty: during this period, you can bring your jeans back for adjustments for free. (Beyond 15 days, alterations will be charged a minimal fee of P300.)

VIKTOR is owned by Ino Caluza. Viktor comes from his birth name, Victorino. I changed the c to k to give it a more Russian feel, Ino jokes. Wala lang.

Ino knows the obsession and frustration that comes with finding the perfect pair of jeans. Especially with skinny jeans they are not the most forgiving styleIno can help you with the usual problemstoo tight, too fattening, too long, too short, too low, etc.

The first step in getting your pair of VIKTOR is to try on the jeans on display for size and design. If a pair fits you perfectly, they will use that pattern and you can choose the design. In case you want tweaking, then they will take your measurements. His able sales clerks-slash-models Carlos and Joseph will happily do that for you. Or, if you prefer, you may call the store in advance and set an appointment with Ino himself. Ino suggests that you come in your favorite pair of jeans so that they have an idea of how you want the jeans to fit, or how he can improve the fit of your new pair.

Warning, though, Ino can be very blunt (in a nice way, he claims). If, say, you insist on a particular style or wash that is totally against his religion (elephant pants, bell bottoms, acid-wash), he will not hesitate to say no. Or worse, if, for example you insist on super-skinny jeans, but you have ample saddle bags (as most Asians do), he will point this out and suggest you order a pair that is not too tapered.

90% of his jeans are stretch material, done in a serious and very slimming dark wash. Apart from jeans, he can also make skirts and jackets.

Whats hot now? As you can seevery dark wash, skinny or straight cut. But I can do any style, as long as it pleases both the client and myself.

What makes your jeans special? Its all about the fit. My jeans are couture not because theyre over-embellished but because they are customized to fit. There are unique details (leather cut-outs, zips, etc), but theyre not over-done.

Who buys from you? 60% female, 40% male, aged 25 up. I know my price is a bit steep for teens, that is why Ill be coming up with a younger line, VIK, at the Mall of Asia, very soon. Couture jeans will be priced at P2000-P3000. But I will also be opening a higher-end line, LORD VIKTOR, in Greenbelt 5.

Who would be your dream client? Imelda Marcos? I have made jeans for Mr. & Mrs. Cojuangco and family, so it would be interesting to see what Imelda Marcos would like.
How long does it take to have jeans made? Anywhere from 7 to 15 days. In case you want a rush job (3 days), just add P300.

All the jeans are numbered. The V originals they can make in an unlimited number. The Premiums and Exclusives, on the other hand, are limited. After they reach a pre-determined number, they will stop making the design.

If you want a pair designed exclusively for you, meaning NO ONE else can have that pair, the price starts at P7000 up.

* VIKTOR is located at the 4/L The Podium, San Miguel Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Tel: 631-6440.

Exploring the ‘blues’ with Viktor

2006-08-12T06:23:00.000-07:00

By Digs Ramos, Contributor
08/11/2006

The text on the shop’s mirror speaks volumes of the brand. Ino Caluza, creator of Viktor jeans, laughs after the bold claim is pointed out. “Yes. We have clients who would call me in the morning and say that my jeans worked. I guess they are saying that they got laid.”

It is clear that brand Viktor is more than just hype. During the hour-long interview, more than a dozen people checked out the store or picked up their jeans. One European expat asked Caluza if he could have two girls visiting from Switzerland measured that week. It’s the kind of diverse and loyal client base that has transformed Viktor from a mom-and-pop operation into one of the leading upscale brands in the country. Almost three years after the business was set up, Viktor’s clientele is now practically a who’s who of well-known personalities from stage, screen and television.

“Fashion, in a way, is individualism. You want to be different. You can be trendy wearing different brands, but you know ‘marami’ kayo may-ari nun. Viktor is about good fitting jeans that makes you look and feel good. Viktor is about exclusivity,” the jeans maker points out.

THE PERFECT FIT

It helps to understand what makes the brand different. A common complaint about ready-to-wear jeans is that it fits one area, but is bigger in another. “My problem is that my hips are bigger than my waist so I have to buy a bigger size so that the jeans could fit me. The problem is I end up buying loose pants,” Dynah Capile, who owns two pairs of Viktor, notes.

The story is nothing new. Men and, most especially, women have difficulty finding a pair that fits all over. An expensive pair does not guarantee the jeans will fit perfectly. Every single body is unique so it’s almost impossible to buy jeans that have the perfect combination. This is where Viktor comes in.

“Almost all of them (Viktor customers) want a good, fitting pair. These people had a bad experience trying other jeans and it’s their unending quest for the perfect fit that they eventually come to me and try it (Viktor),” says Caluza.

The appeal is largely due to what the man can offer his customers. Although custom-made clothes are not really new, good fashion sense and a personal approach in dealing with customers really set Viktor apart from the rest. Some tailors, for example, will approach an outfit thinking of what works for them rather than what looks good on a customer. The end result is customers paying a lot more for something that should have been a lot better than RTW.

CHOOSING YOUR VIKTOR

Ideally, customers should wear their favorite jeans when they go to the shop. It will be easier to determine what style works if the customer wears casual rather than formal clothes. If the buyer wears loose jeans, the staff ‘tapes’ certain parts to show what the ideal fit should be. Customers are also asked to try the jeans on display to get an idea of the fit.

The brand is basically divided into four series:

1. Viktor Originals – The first line designed. Eleven series have already been produced. Each pair is not individually numbered.

2. Viktor Premium – This line has more detail than the V series. Each pair has a production number and some leather is used.

3. Viktor Exclusive – Only 60 pairs are produced. This limited edition line has 50 numbered pairs and the remaining 10 have special characters.

4. Viktor Supreme – This line is more labor intensive and has detailed stitching.

The price of each pair ranges from P3,950 to P5,700. For rush jobs, customers are charged an additional P300. It takes seven to 10 days for a pair to be made. “It’s always a rule to tell the customer that the first pair is dark blue jeans because you can wear it anytime of the day or several times in a week.”

SIZING UP YOUR STYLE

Although Victor initially started as jeans for men, 60 percent of its customer base is currently women. The number of male customers might not be significant to some, but the figure shows that there is a market for men who have matured into more fitted jeans. After opting for a semi-boot cut in 2005, Filipinos now prefer skinny jeans. Going for a particular style or look, however, does not work for everybody. He points out that Filipinos, in general, are not tall, have short legs and long torsos. “I always see that as a problem so when I design my jeans, I make it a point that somehow it would have that illusion of longer legs so that’s when I try to solve it like it has to be close to the crotch. Because if you make it lower than that, it will be shortening the look.”

Such attention to detail is a big reason for the brand’s success. By yearend, the company plans to launch brand ‘Vik,’ targeting a younger market with a budget. A new store at Ayala's TRINOMA in QC will house the new brand. Customers will have fewer choices though compared to the original Viktor series, but pay between P2,700 to P3,900 only for a pair.

Caluza is also planning to introduce a more sophisticated line by the middle of 2008. The ‘Lord Viktor’ brand will be customized jackets, shirts and slacks. The project has always been the jeans maker’s dream and would be a “cross between Paul Smith and Dior.” The decision to launch Lord Viktor next year is largely due to the strong success of the rugged Viktor series. Since opening a shop at the Podium, the jeans maker has had to deal with a sharp increase in orders. The stronger-than-expected response has prompted Caluza to get more tailors to address the demand.

The quest for the perfect pair could be a daunting task in light of all the brands, cuts and styles available in the market. But Victorino Caluza has made it easier for those who know what they want. “The magic when happens they wear it. When they go out and people start complimenting them. Not because of a new watch or a new hair, but because of the jeans,” he adds.

The Perfect Fit

2006-06-09T21:55:00.001-07:00

Luis Carlo San Juan
Ketchup Please Luis!
Philippine Star

One of the frustrations of being “vertically challenged” is that it so hard to find a decent pair of pants. One sees a nice pair in the store, only to be dismayed because it is too long. Even if you cut them, you know it may not fit right.
So for the short guy, it’s a bit more challenging in finding the right pair. Jeans designer Ino Caluza has long seen this problem and has offered a solution : by designing and making custom-made jeans that give the perfect fit.
“I try not to make my jeans too trendy. For these (jeans) may be hot now, but you might end up not wearing it again in the next months because ‘the look’ is out already,” he says. This is why he sticks to the classics. Denims after all are meant to last for a long time.
And there is a certain way of wearing them. He made observations on the way I wore jeans; usually his observations were correct. Like most guys, I suffer from a lot of denim boo boos.
Since there is not much choice of the perfect fit out in the market, a lot of guys settle for jeans that don’t really flatter them. When I was in college days, I stapled the hem of my jeans to keep them from falling off. I own a pair (or was it two?)of those ghastly elephant pants.
Jeans guru Ino Caluza offers some helpful tidbits about wearing denims.

Choosing the right pair

• Tall guys can get away wearing any fit. Short guys should buy straight or semi-straight cut jeans
• Get raw or single-hued denim fabric because the exaggerated fade will bring out the flaws, like bigger legs.
• The tip of the hem should barely touch the floor when you’re barefoot
• Darker denim gives an illusion of height and makes you look slimmer, while lighter ones makes you look fuller.
• The crotch point (laylayan)should be an inch lower from the crotch. Anything lower will make it look saggy.

Caring for your jeans

• Don’t wash your jeans often. Excessive washing causes denim to lose its form.
• You may not wash your jeans for two months or longer (until it start to stink). Hang the jeans inside out, spray it with water, and air it out on the evenings.
• Direct sunlight causes jeans to stiffen and can smell bad.
• Use fabric softener for heavy and stiff denim material
• Never iron your jeans; if you must; use minimal heat.
• Never fold your denims when storing it, just hang it to keep the form.

Ino’s jeans don’t come cheap. The upside is you are wearing a pair worn by the rest of the population. Besides nothing beats the satisfaction of wearing the perfect fit.
Check out Ino Caluza’s jeans at Viktor Jeans store at the 4th level of the Podium Department Store on ADB Avenue in Pasig.

Perfect Fit!

2006-06-07T21:54:00.000-07:00

TRAVEL Log
Mabuhay Magazine
Walter Villa
June 2006

Shopping for the perfect pair of jeans is no easy task. How often does one find jeans with the most flattering cut, shade, and texture? At Viktor Jeans (4/f The Podium, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City, Mobile no. 09178504543, email: matalino101@hotmail.com), the jeans are custom fitted, guaranteeing a perfect fit for every pair. Clients can also choose from a hundreds of denim cloth swatches of various colors, washes and textures. If you wish, the jeans can be jazzed up Swarovski crystals, leather trimmings, zippers, studs, and the signature V belt loop. A Viktor fittinhg includes choosing from almost 30 designs and some exclusive limited edition jeans (limited to 60 pairs). A Viktor pair will set you back anywhere between 3,500 to 5,000 pesos. The store is named after owner and designer Victorino Caluza Jr. Manila fashionista’s have picked up on the rising trend and word has it Viktor will be taking on Singapore pretty soon.

VIKTOR JEANS: A DENIM STORY

2006-04-23T00:47:00.000-07:00

BY RAM DE VERA

GENERATION PINK
2006 ISSUE NO.5

Denim has been with us for the longest time. It can go from really casual to formal. Yes, dark colored denim can be worn on a formal ocassions now. You can dress it up or down. At first, denims were meant to be worn by miners only now it’s one article of clothing that we can’t live without—from construction workers, to students, to rockstars , and the runway! In short, it’s a fashion commodity.

Denims come in different shapes, colors, sizes, textures, finishes, construction or deconstruction (thanks to our designers and fashion houses they belong to). But among those different types and fits, you can’t just randomly pick one because there’s only one perfect fit that will look good on you.

Buying jeans is never easy; in fact, almost 70 percent of the population, some from the fashion industry, don’t know what kind of denims perfectly fit them, and height and size is never on excuse.

As to make buying jeans a lot easier, Ino Caluza opened Viktor Jeans in The Podium. Check out his collection which offers custom fit jeans ultimately made to flatter your body.

VIKTOR OPENING AT THE PODIUM

2006-04-09T07:34:00.000-07:00

SPLASH DANCE

2006-03-18T00:42:00.000-08:00

By Alex Vergara

PDI/MARCH 17,2006

Two years after coming up with his first pair of made-to-order jeans, Victorino "Ino" Caluza still feels a
bit queasy whenever people describe his creations as "couture."

Apart from its trademark leather trimmings on the back pockets, V-shaped belt loops and ocassional
hint of Swarovski beads, Caluza's jeans line under his very own Viktor (6880357) label is bereft of
major embellishments. Of course, something as de rigueur as top-stitching doesnt count.

"People always associate couture with decorations,"he says. "I'm more concerned with the fit. But
if you consider made-to-order stuff couture, then my jeans probably are."

The former art director of an in-flight magazine may balk at putting too much trimmings on his
jeans, but he's proud of the fact that not a few of his clients went home happy after slipping into
perfect-fitting pair.

Caluza's love affair with jeans and his search for the ideal but affordable pair led him design his own.He
even designed a suit made entirely of denim when doing so was unheard in the Philippines.

"Friends started noticing what I was wearing and, before I knew it, I was already taking their orders,"he says.
"To cater to a growing clientele, I will be opening my first mall outlet on April 1 at the fourth level of
The Podium."

At the end of the day, he adds, finding the right pair of jeans has nothing to do with its brand, price and
yes, embellishments. It has everything to do with fit.This explains why a growing number of clients are
willing to brave the traffic and spend precious time fitting.

"It doesn't matter if a pair costs a mere P250," adds Caluza. "If the fit is perfect, chances are you are
going to wear it more often than the more expensive but ill-fitting imported pair."

FIGURE FLAWS

In fact, Caluza seems to have learned by heart the typical Filipino's figure flaws. Not a few young women,for
instance, have big hips and small waistlines. Most guys, on the other hand, have short legs, flat behinds
and ample waistlines.

He advises women with big hips to invest in good pair or two flattering boot-cut jeans.But the short guy is
better of sticking to straight legs, as the boot-cut silhouette can only make himlook smaller.

"Men with less-than-ample behinds should look for the right low-rise jeans," Caluza adds.

Addressing a person's specific figure is just half of it. Before Caluza sits down and takes a client's
measurements, he first conducts a so called lifestyle assessment.

"I usually recommend a style jeans based primarily on what client does," he says. "It also helps to know
if he or she is a day or night person. If the client loves to party, then he or she would need a more
unique or striking pair."

Caluza may have limited his offerings to three design series V(P3700-P4000), VP (P4900) and premium
VX (P5000-P5500)-but each presents numerous "permutations" that are limited only by the user's
imagination and chutzpah.

For starters, the designer has a wide range of materials in various colors, washes, weights and grades
at his disposal.After his first year in the business, he added cotton twill, canvass and even camouflage--
as in military jigsaw print---to his extensive inventory of denim fabrics.

"Rambo meets "Brokeback Mountain?"Couture jeans has never looked this radical.

Made to Measure

2006-01-18T21:52:00.000-08:00

Preview/Jan-Feb 2006

Ino Caluza’s made name for himself with his custom-made line Viktor Jeans. We did one-on-one with the elusive designer on what makes them special.

What makes custom-made jeans different?

It’s primarily the fit that makes it special. It’s designed specifically with your own measurements, so it’s flattering in the right places. Plus, there’s that personal touch that comes with every pair unique only to you.

What makes Viktor Jeans special?

First off, the cut is and fit is dependent on your body type, so we adjust details to make your butt more prominent or your legs look like it just got “lipoed”. For fabric, I have around a hundred plus different swatches of denims—from raw to soft and hard denim. I also have a limited edition collection of hard-to-find denim twills, canvass, US cords, and camouflage fabrics. The thread colors can be change to your favorite shade or to match your bag or treasured boots. We use trademark Viktor rivets and buttons, which come in two colors:matte silver and antique copper. All of my jeans feature 100% US red cotton lining.

What do you think is the best cut for any body type?

Semi-boot cut for men and boot-cut for girls. Both tend to elongate Asian built.

Jeans forecast for 2006?

Enough for the exaggerated washes and embellishment! Raw will still be the standard for luxury denim.

Easiest way to personalize an old pair?

Buy a good cheese grater and rub your jeans at the right places. You’ll be surprised at what it cando.

Regular customers?

Fashionable people who don’t mind going through the trouble of having their jeans custom-made, people who cant seem to find the right RTW pair for their body types. Celebs, models, politicians and socialites from Korina Sanchez, Richard and Lucy Gomez to Celine Lopez and Rajo Laurel. My dream customers would have to be Kris Aquino and Bryan Boy.

Bigger plans for Viktor Jeans?

I’m planning to open a shop in a high-end mall somewhere near Megamall and Galleria. I want to go global or Asian-wide perhaps next year. I also want to do a complete series of apparel for the line like bags, tees, belts and underwear.

Top Ten Moments in Fashion

2005-12-30T21:51:00.000-08:00

The Philippine Star
December 30, 2005

FIGHT! (excerpts)

One – 25 in 2005, Henri Calayag
Two – The Swan, Bea Valdes
Three – That Noir chick, Yvonne Quisumbing-Romulo
Four – Love and Time, Inno Sotto
Five – Extra Extra, Mega, Preview and Metro Magazines
Six – Idol, Bench
Seven – The Muse, Ria Bolivar
Eight – The Tailor, Ino Caluza Jr.
Nine – The young Guns, Sara Black, Marc Nicdao, Victor Consunji, Jo Ann Bitagcol, and Jake Verzosa
Ten – Surround Me, Silk Cocoon

The Tailor

He could actually be a model himself with his rugged good looks and lean frame, but Ino Caluza has been perhaps one of the busiest designer this year. Viktor jeans is the ultimate cult this year with clients from Rajo Laurel to Josephine Knox. His limited edition styles and unbelievable cuts are key to why people cant seem to control themselves around him. Once he told me that a lady ordered 27 pairs in one fitting. Total tally this year: more than a thousand.

Jeans Genius Gives Pinoys the Perfect Fit

2005-08-29T21:45:00.000-07:00

Jeans Genius Gives Pinoys the Perfect Fit
First posted 11:17am (Mla time) Aug 28, 2005
By Blaise C. Gacoscos Inquirer

VIKTOR, a pricey local brand famous for custom-made jeans, has hit Manila—big time.

Showbiz royalty Aga Muhlach owns 22 pairs of Viktor jeans. TV personality Korina Sanchez is a convert, with 22 pairs. Sexy star Maui Taylor, an avid collector since the label was just new, has eight pairs. Actors Richard Gomez and John Estrada bought seven and six pairs, respectively. And banker Ding Pastrana is Viktor’s number one client with 40 pairs.

Viktor creator Victorino “Ino” Tablang Caluza, Jr., 27, explains why they’re snapping up his creations. “Viktor is not about having trendy or cutting-edge designs. It’s about fit. You can have it customized according to your body.”

This Saturday afternoon, I interview Ino in his Ortigas condominium. I’m interrupted by four separate knocks on the door. Two Chinese-looking teenagers with their friends show up for fitting. A young couple drops by to pick up their orders. A first-timer slips into her first Viktor jeans and says, “It’s nice!” A girl who accompanies her friend to the shop falls in love with Viktor pants adorned with Swarovski crystals, and ends up having her measurements taken.

Proper measurement

“Being a jeans designer is about proper measurement, proper cut, proper density of fabric. You have to know all these,” says Ino. “When Korina ordered 22 pairs, for example, I had to have her fit every pair because each fabric, when cut, reacts differently to the body. Some fabrics are loose, others are tight. It’s the battle of the centimeters. My client will notice if I mistakenly adjusted half an inch in the crotch area.”

Interestingly, Ino got his start working on numbers of a different sort. A graduate of BS Mathematics, major in computer science, from the University of Sto. Tomas, Ino worked at The Fourth Dimension, Inc. as computer-aided design department manager for two years. “It was my first job. I molded my talent in graphic design there.” He still does graphic design today as creative consultant of Business Day, a fortnightly magazine published by Saffron Publishing, Inc.

In 1998, he worked overseas as art director of Stallion’s Records in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, designing CD covers, posters and promotional materials. His contract was up for renewal after two years, but he chose to be transferred to Dubai. “Basically, I got fed up in Saudi—no entertainment, no night clubs, no theater, no arts.” He worked in the UAE for two months until he decided to come home.

On the side and unknown to many, Ino is also an artist, and has had three exhibits: “Steel Life” at the Hiraya Gallery, another at a gallery in Antwerp, Belgium, and “Nature works” at the RCBC Plaza. Upon returning home, he had a couple more jobs doing graphic and magazine design, but not content with the work, he entertained thoughts of putting up his own business—one that would be both enjoyable and profitable.

One day, Ino, a rabid Diesel jeans fan with two dozen pairs to his name, splurged yet again on three Diesels. The purchase, costing a total of P12,000, made him stop and think. “I realized that I was spending too much money on jeans. I told myself then, ‘This will be my last purchase in this store. After this, I will make my own jeans.’”

The following day, he did his research on the Internet, carefully studied his pairs and gathered reactions from his fashionista friends on what they liked about their jeans. After close to three months, Ino arrived at this conclusion: People weren’t too conscious of the brand and style, nor were they concerned about the price. The important thing was that the jeans would fit them to a T.

Registered brand

With only P1,000 initial capital, he bought his favorite tela from Divisoria, went to a tailor who makes fake Levi’s and Calvin Kleins, and had his designs copied. He named his label “Viktor,” because the most successful brands all bear the designers’ names. He had to spell it “Viktor,” however, because “Victor” was already a registered brand. And finally, he designed the letter V in the logo to look like an inverted pair of pants.

During this time, he apprenticed under Eric Alviar, research and development head of Litton Mills, an export company that produces the fabric for Levi’s, Guess, Calvin Klein, Armani, Express Jeans and Girbaud. There he learned every aspect of fabric making, from weave to color to thickness.

In November 2003, he produced his first 25 jeans—all for men—and called them his alpha test prototypes. He avoided making washed denims, but used fabric in the “raw”—meaning, the fabric came straight from the factory untreated. “They sold fast,” he recalls. In January 2004, Ino produced 100 more jeans with the Viktor trademark, red pockets made of US cotton. Etched on the buttons and rivets was the Viktor logo. This time, the jeans were both for men and women. He learned from fashion designer and friend Rajo Laurel how to get the perfect fit for women. and used his female friends and office mates as guinea pigs. The jeans sold briskly. “If this trend continues in the next few months, then I’m stuck,” he thought. It did.

In June 2004, he resigned from his magazine job to work full time in the business. Together with master tailor Romy Orogo, assistant tailor Edcel Casiño, his sisters Clarence Sevilla taking care of production and Jeanette Orencia handling quality control respectively, and brother-in-law Antonio Orencia doing the finishing, Ino produced 500 pairs. His bestsellers are five-pocket jeans, double-button jeans, jeans with a cowboy belt loop and jeans with zipper coin pockets and back pockets. He also makes limited editions.

Ino began pushing his jeans by bringing his jeans to clients, dropping by offices to take measurements and orders of fashionista friends, and delivering them, happily altering and readjusting as needed. With his ubiquitous cap, lean frame, huge bag full of jeans and funky haircut and T-shirts, Ino looked every bit the part of the designer. Today, the orders keep coming.

Optical illusion

Wearing jeans is not a problem when you have the right body proportions, Ino says, but it becomes a problem when you don’t. A pair of Viktor jeans can solve the problem. For female clients with big hips, he suggests wearing boot cut or semi-flare pants. “If you have big hips, don’t insist on wearing pencil-cut jeans. You’re going to end up with a pear shape.”

If a client has big buttocks, he chooses a hard fabric that will firmly hold the butt. “I don’t use soft materials because lalabas ang bilbil (the paunch will be obvious).” He uses dark colored jeans instead of light colors to create a slimmer silhouette.

To make the average Pinoy look taller, he also opts for a straight cut from the waist to the knee and semi-boot cut towards the feet for “optical illusion.” Also, he notices that most US-made jeans have huge front pockets. But the Filipino is a smaller race. What Ino does is make the upper legs more visible by designing smaller pockets to make the legs look longer.

Rajo, owner of 14 pairs, says, “The beauty of Viktor jeans is that they actually accentuate the positive and hide the negative. I probably have his first prototypes—his palpaks and his winners, too—but the fundamental properties of Viktor were there: his attention to detail, his unnerving eye for fit which is very important especially with jeans, and his rock ‘n’ roll sensibility.” “Ino is very original,” says designer Randy Ortiz, who has three pairs. “His fit is close to perfection because it’s custom-made. He is very innovative. He does his own brand of embellishments and details. The denim community accepts him and appreciates what he has done to the denim.”

For Ino Caluza, seated comfortably in his favorite aluminum chair, it’s a lot simpler than that. “This is it. I’ve found the job that I want to do for the rest of my life.”

The Blue Jean Junkie

2005-08-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

Mela de Luna
MANUAL August 2005

For Ino Caluza, jeans are a staple every man should have. Like the other famous designers – Calvin Klein, Levi Strauss, Marithe Francois Girbaud. Edwin – these successful denim brands are named after their makers and for newbie designer whose earning a glimmer of authority in the jean-making business each day, success is but an arm’s throw.

“Its funny how people interchange my brand with my name. Even in the malls (Greenbelt), they always call me “Viktor, Viktor!” Initially I thought I had to separate the brand with the persona but now the opposite has been happening and I’m not really against it, I actually embrace it now. My friends tell me it’s the same thing as ‘branding’. The brand is practically a reflection of myself and people tend to associate that style with me.” “Since I started designing it has become a conscious effort for me to always wear my jeans because people always ask me what jeans I am wearing.” Starting his business not too long ago—November 2003—Ino personally goes to his clients before to measure and fitting. “I really did not mind because now its paying off.”He first sold his jeans to officemates and friends but when the glossies started featuring his denims, that’s when people took notice. “I started my line with guys in mind because as guy myself, it was easy for me to decipher what a typical guy is looking for when it comes to their jeans. And I’m a jeans addict—I have a vast collection in our old house. When I see a guy, just knowing basic information like waistline and height alone is enough to gauge what style would fit him well – if it’s a boot cut, straight-cut or relaxed.”

So what are the characteristics of a perfect pair?” For guys it is very simple – the fit has to be perfect and quality of material is important. I am not discouraging stretch material for jeans because it is really comfortable, but for some people stretch (fabric) is not flattering. Comfort is also very important. When I design jeans for women, I totally have to follow different aesthetics – women tend to go after “the look” of the jeans first before considering anything else and women’s bodies are made up of curves. So I have to consider a lot of the factors like the hip size, butt size, etc. But for the guys it has to be the fit because “we need to have enough room.:(for the clueless, a break is the crease pants make the bottom part of any trousers.)

When shopping for a pair of jeans, Ino says you have to consider two things: your height and built. For tall and skinny guys any style is acceptable. Whether it’s a straight cut, bootleg (which is the most flattering to any body type) or the skinny jeans (remember the skinny jeans can only look good on the tall and lanky types—if you’re not, don’t even try)—skinny jeans also work best with a certain attitude(think the glam rockers of the 70s). For the medium built: straight-cut jeans are the most flattering especially if you’re short. The problem most Pinoys encounter is that it’s too long (and we mean the jeans). The fit is fine at the waist but when they have it shortened (which is always the case)the proportion of the knees to the bottom is faulty already. That is why customized jeans is the way to go if you’re after perfect fit. Short and stocky dudes should go after the relaxed type. Ino recommends “The straight-cut but with a boot-cut bottom” which is popular choice from his line. Pinoy usually have a big gut and are short—that’s why it is very important to create a fit made for your body type.

Last but not the least, crotch length is very crucial. The proportion of the crotch in relation to the length of the pants will either make you look taller or shorter. “People don’t realize that when they make their jeans “low-waits” they actually cut their bodies and look way shorter,” says Caluza.

Ino’s jeans are know not only for their style and fit but also for a variety of styles. The Viktor line made popular the camouflage pants that had various permutations and the idea of the “raw” denim. Meaning the denim is not treated and has to be “broke-in” by wearer until it molds to the wearer’s shape. Currently, Ino started his Viktor VX series which is exclusive up to a certain number and styles. “The number of available pieces from the series is very limited, just fifty pieces from each. These styles can be made according to your size, but when orders reach the fifty mark, that’s the end of that.”

The beauty if having anything custom-made is that it always bears the owner’s personal touch. Whether it be a certain detail like buttons or the thread used, there is a certainty that each product has its own personality characteristics of the owner. It is a natural process that is truly a designer’s mark, one that is totally and entirely Viktor.

It’s in the Jeans

2005-08-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

Carlomar Arcangel Dacana
The Daily Tribune

In a fashion show or any event he fancies to attend, he is a recognizable figure: tall, sharp-featured thirty something guy sporting a sleeveless white top and a haircut that may be described as military-meets-metrosexual. Fashion-forward folks and self-appointed trendsetters are attracted to him like ants to a lump of sugar. Effusive, he shake hands with them as they check out the pair of pants he is flashing. The girls, especially, swoon over his knowledge of stitches and fabrics (canvas, camouflage, cords). A few minutes more and they fall in love, not with him (perhaps, a little)but with his jeans. Soon they will go to his place and ask him to lasso them with his tape measure by the waist.
Ino Caluza, the designer of much-sought and highly priced Viktor Jeans, never had it this good. Before, he used to labor in a chilly office, doing graphic design for an inflight magazine read by by passengers dead-bored in transit. Now, he is making jeans for some of the country’s most recognizable faces tapping a potentially huge market that will not mind spending extra buck for a perfect fit of denim love.
‘Viktor Jeans began in November 2003, “ Ino starts. “I couldn’t find here the pair of jeans that fit me perfectly. Sometimes I had to buy or asked someone to buy pa, abroad. So I decided to design my own pants. My officemates got curious about my jeans and soon they started ordering from me na. They would tell their friends about it who, in return, would tell it to other people. So lumaki ng lumaki until the fashionista crowd took notice. It was until I was featured in F (the lifestyle show aired in Studio 23) that affirmed the fact that I am doing the business for real na talaga.”
The “perfect fit.” Just like anything ideal, ia arrived at with bit of hardship. The client would have to drop by at Ino’s studio in Megaplaza Condominium, Cityland Building, Ortigas and choose a fabric from about four books of swatches. After this, Ino would gently whip out his tape measure and begin his computation of the lower half of your anatomy, jotting down the numbers in a notebook just like your typical sastre. His two tailors based in Antipolo would then work full speed converting those numbers into something wearable. You wait for a week for Ino’s text telling you your denim is ready. You drop by his pad again to do the initial fitting as Ino does the adjustments. Once you finally get the hug you want, you wait another week for your finished, masterpiece of a pair of jeans.
“I really convince my client to tell me what they want. Once they come here, it means they want a pair of jeans which is more than just the ordinary. That’s what they are paying for—the fit. If they don’t get what they want, then it just defeat the purpose, “ trumpets Ino, whose obsession with “the perfect fit” seems enmeshed with his bachelors degree in Mathematics.
It’s not just the “feel” of jeans that’s outstanding, but the actual material. Ino sources his bolt of fabrics from Litton Mills, which just happens to be Asia’s leading producer of such, exporting jeans to Armani, Girbaud, Guess and other big guns. A curious detail in each pair of Viktor Jeans is the red pocket lining made from expensive US cotton. Ino says that though it’s invinsible from the outside, it gives a wearer a heady feel of prestige. Everything is fastened together with rivets and swiveling buttons all bearing the Viktor trademark.
Currently, the fashionistas are going gaga over the Viktor VX series. Priced higher than the basic Viktor jeans, each series boasts of a design element that will only be rendered on 50 pairs. So exlusive, they are numbered like art prints. The VX1 series, for example, is a play on stitches. Ino hid all the threads for seamless knock-out look. Another is a romance with zippers, adorning the jeans for strappy appeal. A fascinating series works with the rainbow shimmer of Swarovski crystals.
Although the clienst-visits-studio set-up is still very much preferred by Ino, the reluctant fashion designer says that he is setting his eyes on expanding the brand. A stand-alone boutique is what he just needs to house his denim creations, together with shirts and jackets that boast the edginess of the jeans. “Right now, I am just tapping about 20 percent of the market I can reach. Setting up a boutique will help me reach the other 80 with the RTW line. They will still be assured of a good fit and that the craftsmanship and the quality will still remain the same.”
It’s not hard to imagine Ino flying hight in the fashion firmament, manic as he is with things like stitches and fabric and in delivering the “fitter, richer, happier: result he promises. And that is, as long as his Viktor jeans continue to seduce people to get inside of them.

Vouging with Viktor Jeans

2005-06-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

Fudge Magazine/2006

In the beginning all Victorino Caluza Jr. wanted was a pair of jeans that fit him perfectly. The jean-obsessed art director was frustrated by limited picking to be had in Manila, and decided that if he couldn’t find em. He’d have to make his own. Apparently his passion for tailor-made denims was shared by many others who loved how they accentuated positive features and hid flaws, never mind if they were considered pricey by the general populace – the pants were ordered by the sh*tload by celebrities and fashionistas.

Marking a milestone since selling his first series of pants. Viktor Jeans launched its flagship store at the posh Podium last April 8, 2006. Celebrities and guests sashayed up a red carpet and sauntered in for scrumptious cocktails wearing their favorite Viktor apparel with the trademark “V” in the belt loop, stitched on the back pocket or riveted somewhere on a piece of clothing. Encouraged to pose for lensman Walter Villa, everyone one was made to feel like a star, from Tim Yap, Kiko Escora, Rajo Laurel, Nelson Cruz, Leo Posadas, Josephine Knox and an assortment of well-dressed ladies and gents, among whom fashion director Robbie Carmona selected the cream of the crop to strut their stuff—ten of the best-dressed who exemplified the Viktor look and lifestyle.

After the obligatory tossing of lucky coins into the tiny white gallery-like space on the fourth floor, guests filed in, admiring the Spartan and artsy layout, some coveting the white pairs of Viktor Jeans that hung from the rack. “It’s a dream come true,”beams the lean and stylish Caluza, who will be terribly busy for the coming months as orders will be flying in fast for custom-made clothes.

Jeans Couture

2005-06-07T23:42:00.000-07:00

Carlo Tadiar
Metro HIM

We here at the ABS-CBN Publishing office have become addicted to the work of Ino Caluza Jr., jeans maker. Ino is actually an accomplished artist and a graphic designer who also happens to excel at making jeans under his label Viktor. Everytime he drops by the office to make a fresh delivery , we cannot help ourselves – we simply must have another pair. They are one-of-a-kind, you see, perfectly fitted, chicly cut, so low slung (that’s a good thing, you understand) and touched with all manner of idiosyncratic detail. He’s got a wide range of denim to choose from, from raw indigo to combed pink. And he extemporizes on the design you choose so that there’s a bit of a surprise in the final product. It’s couture!

Made-to-Order Style Staple

2005-06-07T21:39:00.000-07:00

Patrick Tejada
Reviewer/2005

Short of getting surgery, how do we get a behind like that of Jennifer Lopez or the engineered hug of David Beckham’s hips inside our own jeans? One possible solution is ordering jeans that are custom-made to flatter our assets, and yes, there is a thriving industry in Metro Manila that satisfies our search for the perfect fit.
Made-to-order jeans have been in the Philippines since the 1970s. However these were mainly replications (i.e. imitations) of branded jeans, with only a few details added. Nowadays, custom fit jeans are more stylish and highly original, even more than those sold off the rack.
One of the more popular custom-fit jeans is the Viktor Jeans line created by Ino Caluza. Viktor Jeans has thirteen variants in the V series with fourteenth coming soon, all of which are basic designs that clients can customize. There is the VX series which is limited edition: that is, only fifty pairs are made per VX design and can be acquired by reservation only. Then there is the ultra-exclusive “one-of”—a pair designed and executed exclusively for a particular person.
To create a perfect fit, Ino Caluza schedules an initial and final fitting with clients. The first fitting is for recording all appropriate measurements. Then he discusses what fit would enhance or camouflage the client’s anatomical blessings or limitations. According to Caluza, Filipinos in general carry a generous hip and less-than-full posterior. Here, he uses his precision cutting to help wearer and the viewer forget such imperfections.
By far the most creative and fun phase of the process of customization:the client’s imagination is the limit.
Except for the signature V on the back pockets, each Viktor jeans is unique. Stitching for all variants can be customized. For instance, an all-red scheme could be used as motif: red stitching for the signature V on the back pocket, as well as the stitching at the seams. Rivets could also be customized for a contrast in colors. With the V2 series, the color of the belt slot on the front pocket should be customized. The v7 shares the customization possibilities, and with front pocket rivets, the color combinations become more pronounced.
It is with his VX series that Ino Caluza plays with design. VX1 main characteristics is it’s hidden seams, which he calls hid Yin version, as opposed to the Yang of VX2, which exposes its seams. VX3’s details are all made of leather, including the signature V. But by far the most embellished, and glittering of them all is VX4, whose design is highlighted by by the use of Swarovski beads.
So, how much for all this style? Let’s just say that the price tag is directly proportional to the satisfaction of seeing and wearing finished pair of Viktor Jeans. For P3500 to 5000 big ones, one can strut around knowing that his or her back view is worth a second look.

Designers Focus: It's in the Cut!

2005-06-07T14:50:00.000-07:00

Chalk Magazine

Jeans are definite must have for every girl. Finding the right pair is hard enough, more or les something that fits you perfectly. In comes Ino T. Caluza Jr. a.k.a. the jeans engineer of the local fashion industry and innovator of Viktor Jeans. An answered prayer for us girls! Wondering why? It’s Because he does custom-made jeans. Your fit, your style. Who could ask for more?

Why did you decide to design and make jeans?
It began when I wanted to buy imported designer jeans that cost around Php 9,000.00. When I withdrew money from the ATM, I realized how much money I had and that it’s too expensive for jeans. Because of that, I decided that why not make one instead. So, I did a detailed research on jeans first, --- materials, fabric, different ways on how it’s made. I realized that the secret in having a good pair of jeans is it’s got to be the right fit.

How did you start?
I was a graphic designer before I became a “jeans engineer.” After doing research, I started on what I called the “alpha test” – I made the first 25 pairs of jeans for my officemates and close friends and got their feedback about it. Next is the “beta phase” – extended to friends of my friends. The next phase is the “kappa mode” versions where I had clients from the society and the fashion industry.

What is your trend forecast for the upcoming season?
Metallic things on jeans-rivets, zippers and the like. A variety of dark and rigid denim. Skinny jeans will be the next silhouette after bootcut. The trousers are back as well. Mens trouser but sexier. It’s one size bigger, and has a more relaxed fit.

Designer Genes (Excerpt)

2005-05-06T21:41:00.000-07:00

Jackie O’Flash/Philippine Star
Bea J. Ledesma

It all began, really with a 15-year-old. There was a seminal moment in early 80’s when every single girl above the age of 12 wanted to look a certain way—with tousled hair, lean body, sex kitten-pout and the jeans that look like tghey were glued on….

YStyle asked several local designers to come up with their own pair of bespoke jeans, with results ranging from Puey Quinones’ hippie low-waist version with hand-stitched-details to Joey Samson’s punk interpretation, which uses reverse denim fabrics that creates a grainy stripe effect.

…Designer denim is not new to Manila’s shores, what with Ino Caluza’s line of jeans called Viktor, which comes in variety of washes – you can choose the fabric, from white denim to hot pink --- and accessorized with bright red V at the back.

Fit to Flatter (Excerpt)

2005-04-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

Love Lucy/Lucy Torres Gomez
Sunday Lifestyle/Philippine Star

Personally, the two hardest thing to shop for are jeans and shoes ---the former because despite their solid claims, there is no singular brand that would cater to all body types (never mind if they have many different styles and cuts)…

Now, Ino is another story.I first saw a small feature on him in Mega magazine, and I even clipped it for future reference. Months passed and the night before Valentine’s day, Richard and I were out at Swiss Inn with some friends when Randy Ortiz pointed that one of the guys seated on the table behind us was Ino Caluza himself, the man behind Viktor jeans. Turned out Randy had also been meaning to see him. Well, to cut a long story short, off Richard and I went to his shop to be measured. Suffice to say that we are very happy with the finished product. See, Ino does not just make jeans that look good on the hanger. Chances are, they will look even better on your body. Not just any body, specifically your body. He specializes in cuts that hug perfectly. Minimize this, show off that, Ino can and will do it for you. No matter which way your body curves, he will analyze (and yes, troubleshoot) to give you a fit that flatters. He has a huge swatchbooks with a dizzying variety of fabrics to choose from. Over and above that, you get to pick out the color of thread you want to be used, the little design details that are exclusively his own, such as stitching on the back pockets, the finishing on the hemline, the lowness of the cut. You can bring your favorite pair of jeans and he can copy the cut, the basic structure and he will customize with his own design elements. I tell you this shopping for pants, has never been this much fun. Wearing it and looking good as you do so becomes just icing on the cake. (Ino can be reached at 09178504543. Please set an appointment. He needs time to measure you carefully.)

It is great to have cult favorites and branded clothes hanging in our closet. But it is also a wonderful gift to have such talented people in our local shores, whipping up one delightful product after another. The next time you shop, make sure the fit flatters. If not, then why bother?

It's all in The Jeans

2005-02-27T21:34:00.000-08:00

Karrie Bitanga
Philippine Star

Big thighs, no butt, short legs. These are some of the imperfections women face when trying on a pair of jeans in front of a full-length mirror in retail outlets. Mass-produced jeans don’t flatter the unique body types of every woman and not everyone can afford designer jeans at 10 grand a pair. That’s why many women in Manila found a new alternative in Ino Caluza, the 29-year-old genius behind Viktor Jeans. A former graphic designer, Ino says he wanted to help women feel good about themselves by custom-designing jeans that complement their body types and won’t cost them an arm and leg. In designing jeans for his clients, he prioritizes function and focuses on creating best-fitting pair of jeans, one that perfectly suits the wearer. Today, having custom-made jeans has suddenly become a need for every fashionista and jeans lover in Manila. All of Ino’s clients can’t get enough of his designs and love every stitch and detail on their denims. Sisters Tessa Dragon and Christina Dragon Locsin and cousins Camille Reynoso and Happy Lacson show us why they love Viktor jeans.

Jeans by Viktor

2005-02-16T21:46:00.000-08:00

Angelo Comsti
Metro/November 2005

Why buy ready-to-ear when there’s made-to-order? Victorino “Ino” Caluza, 29,asked himself that same question after buying three pairs of Diesel jeans and paying P12,000 on a single purchase. After much thought, it prompted him to make his own pair from scratch and eventually launch his own line – Viktor Jeans.

With only a P1000 capital, he bought fabric at Divisoria, went to a tailor and had his favorite jeans duplicated. It became an instant hit among his friends, and soon they were asking for their own pair of Viktors. He researched the how-to’s on the Internet, learned different aspects of fabric making and, in November 2003, officially opened his customized jeans business. The one-time CD cover graphic artist has become a sough after designer with a prestigious clientele that now includes Lucy Torres, Korina Sanchez, Danding Cojuangco, Celine Lopez, Josephine Knox and even fellow industry designer Randy Ortiz. He’s made over a thousand pairs so far.

What can made-to-order jeans give that RTW can’t? For the most Filipinas, RTW can address problems in the butt and leg area. Men’s major concerns are the belly and length of the pants.

“The design of the jeans is very important. If a girl is bottom-heavy, she should avoid wearing straight-cut jeans because it will only show off her big hips. Instead, she should go for boot cuts to give silhouette to the lower part of her body and achieve balance between the hem and hips. If she is pear-shaped, she shouldn’t be seen in baston pants, as they will make her seem more round. Going for the semi-boot cut or boot cut type can give shape to her body. And when she has long legs, low-rise jeans can make her look short. It’s all about illusion,” he says.

Designing the perfect pair of jeans isn’t just about the cut, he says. The fabric and color play big roles, too. “If the woman has full butt, she should choose a harder fabric to hold her bottom and darker shade to give her a slim silhouette. Plus, some denim fabrics have striped ‘characters’ because of the way it was sewn. Fabrics with ‘characters’ that run vertically also help in shaping the legs.”

The minute details matter, as well. “Somebody who’s petite can project longer looking legs by having smaller front pockets. Seams that have the same color as the jeans enable someone to hide their big hips.”

There is more to discover once you setup an appointment with Ino. Within the half an hour he allots you, he takes your measurements and suggest a design (accessorized back pockets are what’s trendy now), fabric (he has over 100 samples to choose from) and even the outfit that will match your customized pair of jeans. “It’s a consultation in a way. And I want out talk to be very open and casual and not too formal so they won’t hesitate to discuss their physical flaws with me,” he confesses.

There are tailors who can replicate your favorite jeans, and then there is Ino. “I do not make an imitation of an RTW pair, but I come up with an original.

Tailored to Your Tush

2004-09-14T18:32:00.000-07:00

Isha Andaya
Preview, September 2004

Ino Caluza brings new meaning to finding the perfect pair of jeans with his custom-made label, Viktor.

Cuts and washes change with the trends but the eternal challenge is snagging that perfect fit. After trying on hundred of pairs, the lure of custom-made jeans is one that’s difficult to refuse. Preview roadtested the handiwork of MTO jeans designer Ino Caluza to see why, in 8 months, he’s created more than 350 pairs for an already loyal set of clientele.

Consultation

First off, you’ve got to set up an appointment. Ino is best reached via his mobile phone 09178504543. His workshop is in Antipolo, so for clients who live within Makati, Quezon City, Mandaluyong and Pasig, he prefers to meet them in their homes. You can either show him a perfect pair to copy or start from scratch. But before deciding on style, Ino asks when and where the pants will be used (day or night, dressy or rugged occasions) and which shoes (heels or flats).

Fabric

Choosing a fabric is probably one of the most difficult parts. It is nearly impossible to choose one from the swatches of denim (in several colors and washes)corduroy (in varying sizes), cotton twill or more. This is probably why most of his clients end up ordering at least 3 pairs at a time – once you’ve got the jeans with an exact fit, you’ll want it in every color. You also have an in depth discussion on the color of stitching, as it has a surprising impact on the overall look of the pants.” Although I have made several pairs of white jeans,” says Ino “ each is made distinct by details like stitch color or piping.”A word of caution though, most of the fabric he uses have not been commercially washed. To avoid getting the dye all over your hands and legs, make sure you wash the jeans—especially dark pairs—before deciding to go out in them.

Measurement

This is the most critical step. There are seven points that need to be measured, waist, hips, crotch, leg, knee, hem and length. He might also ask you to put on a favorite pair of jeans and proceed to pin and sculpt the desired cut. “It’s a very technical process,” he says. “Even one quarter of an inch makes a difference.” After measurements are taken, all that’s required is fifty percent down payment and the next meeting will be to fit the jeans.

Production

The normal waiting period is two weeks. Seven types of machines are required for the construction of a single pair of jeans, which only goes to show how intricate the entire process is.

Fitting

At the fitting appointment, if the customer is satisfied, the sale is made final(and more often than not , the next pair is ordered). If he finds a problem, Ino goes back to tweaking it until he’s content with how it falls.

Viktor jeans are slowly reaching cult status among Manila’s Habitual and Blu Cult-wearing set, making that signature red V a familiar sight. A pair goes around P3500 tom P4000.

VIKTOR JEANS

2004-09-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

By INO CALUZA
Jeans Maker

JUST SHOP
September 2004

Signature Style: Understated classic tailoring with utilitarian moderm details with materials made of the highest quality—from the custom made rivets and buttons, jeans fabric and signature cotton red pocket. And of course the fit is the mantra. Viktor aesthetic is 100% pure jeans. No exaggerated washes and design details. Just the fit and form. Fitter. Richer. Happier!

Inspiration: Architectural detailing of Frank Gehry building or Calatrava bridge, Japan meets London street vibe, the tailoring of Marghiela and a Hedi Slimane obsession with fit.

JUST SHOP says...
perfection

Jeans Therapy

2004-09-07T23:23:00.000-07:00

Pamela Y. Ong
Business Day

For Ino T. Caluza Jr., jeans are an indispensable wardrobe staple. The designer behind Viktor, an up and coming design label, see jeans as an avenue for people to look good and feel good about themselves. “A good pair of jeans should flatter your body and conceal your flaws, “ says Ino. His mantra – fitter, richer, happier – encompasses all his designs.
The lack of good quality and form-fitting jeans in the local market prompted Ino to create his own label in October 2003. Through research, he discovered what friends and potential customers wanted in a pair of jeans. His binding conclusion was that a pair of jeans should not only fit well but should also make one feel sexy.
Today, many of his clients come to him with the same goal in mind.
His initial production called “Alpha Test Version” became a hit among friends. More people became interested in his jeans through referrals.
What sets Viktor apart from any other local jean label is it’s signature touches that are uniquely identifiable. These include quality swiveling button that Ino himself swears makes getting in and out of pair of jeans easy, double belt loop for big and small belt bands, blood red pocket linings that put a different spin on a much ignored part of a jean and, of course, the equally recognizable blood red “V” belt loops that serve both functional and aesthetic purpose. Customers can also choose from 30 denim swatches that cover all shades of blue and black, as well as rare red and white.
Coming from computer graphic design,, Ino found the transition from magazine pages to fashion “seamless.” His design principles focus on the aesthetics as well as form. “Without good form, “ he says “ a pair of jeans would not fit right, “ he says.
Though some of his jeans are made of imported denim fabrics from Japan and Italy, most of his fabrics are sourced from Litton Mills, Asia’s biggest manufacturer of high-grade quality denim fabrics. This is the same company, that exports fabrics to Armani, Calvin Klein, Express Jeans, and Guess. The jeans also feature original rivets and buttons customized for the label. Price fro a pair of Viktor start from Php 3,000.
Why invest in a pair of designer jeans by Viktor?
“A good pair of Viktor can get you laid,” Ino jests.

JEANS THAT PLEASE

2004-08-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

Marissa Alejandro-Lopa
Metro/August 2004

Graphic designer-turned-jeansmaker Viktor Caluza offer custom-made pairs that hide flaws, and make you feel as good as you look.

I think it’s safe to say that there’s more to blue jeans that meets the eye. This piece of clothing is worn by people of all ages, from womb to tomb. The perfect pair can lift the lowest self-image as well as face-lift, I’m told. When denim married Lycra and moved into the stretch era, its following quadrupled. The days when tight fitting jeans were meant only for the perfectly endowed were gone. Forgiving even the bottom-heavy, jeans are must-haves even for the octogenarian.

Still, there are some of us who find that the perfect back pockets to flatter one’s behind may not come with the front pockets to flatter bulging tummy. And as one gets on in years, other problem spots surface that make finding the right pair even more difficult. Atrocious prices for a pair of designer jeans guaranteed to make you feel 10 years younger don’t help, either.

Enter VIKTOR – feel fitter, richer, happier. Now, custom made jeans guaranteed to fit you and only you have arrived. Better still, they come at prices one wouldn’t think twice about coughing up. It’s the brainchild of graphic artist-cum-blue jeans fanatic Victorino “Ino” Caluza, who finally drew the line when he found himself ready to shell out P7900 for a pair of Diesel’s. He figured there must be a better way around this obsession. A good friend employed in a company that developed new denim fabrics for the likes of Armani, Girbaud and Express Jeans took him under his wings so he could learn more about what denim could or would not do for the body. He learned the troubleshooting side of tailoring from the master designer (magician, his clients swear) himself, Rajo Laurel. Armed with all that, Ino took his designs and experimented with what he calls alpha batch. His first 25 pairs sold like hot cakes. He then put up his own outfit, with his own tailors and cutters. Each pair is custom made in every sense of the word. Not only they cover up what you hate to show, they’ll definitely show what you’d hate to cover up. But the originality comes with the fact that Ino refuses to make his custom pair in faded denim. He feels one should fade or wear history into his jeans. Your jeans should tell your story and not a stone-washed of somebody else’s. You get your choice of rivets, thread, embroidery , and whatever else your heart might desire or have patience for. He’ll suggest, adjust, redo, but best of all, he will never judge you for what you lack or have too much of that makes you such a hard fit. Anything semi-precious(or precious, if you insist) you choose to further your cause are considered extras.

Since opening late last year, he’s had quit his regular 9 to5 job and go full time. He has serviced clients as heavy as 300lbs, to those who weigh less than 100lbs. Big butts, no butts, big thighs, big hips, name it, he’d one it. So if you want to get that fitter, richer, happier feeling, I suggest you give VIKTOR a call!.

Posted by lordviktor at 11:23 AM

JEAN PROJECT

2004-05-06T23:20:00.000-07:00

BY: JEN TAGASA

FUDGE

“My dream is someday dress every person who wears terrible-looking jeans,” jokes Ino T. Caluza Jr. , citing such commonly-seen horrors as loose pants with low crotches and bilbil-inducing tight jeans with overdone washes as examples. Despite being the designer behind Viktor, a local jean label which he created in October 2003, Ino insist that he doesn’t really know anything about fashion. “I just know what I want.” he says—and what he want is a pair of jeans that fits the wearer the right way,dammit.

This obsession for form-flattering, high quality jeans began while he was working as a graphic designer in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, where a generous salary enabled him to become a “jean collector”; he bought an expensive pair almost every month.When he returned to work in the Philippines, however, he realized that getting his denim fic was going to be a difficult on a local salary. Ino recalls walking into a store picking out three pairs of jeans and balking when he saw that the total cost would be around 20,000 pesos. Finding that the quality of cheaper jeans left much to be desired, he decided to make his own. What began with Ino using stones and sandpaper to create washes on an old pair of jeans eventually evolved into something more sophisticated. He took it upon himself to learn how to select fabrics at Litton Mills, Asia’s biggest
Manufacturer of high-grade quality denim which supplies fabric to Levi’s, Calvin Klein, Armani and Guess. Caluza also studied how to make a good cut from Rajo Laurel.

“I realized that jeans were a science, and one wrong measurement can destroy the overall effect, “muses this maverick.

Aside from signature touches such as V-shaped belt loops, red pocket linings and swiveling buttons, Viktor’s crusade for the perfect fit sets apart from the local jean labels. Ino likes to schedule appointments with clients, not only to discuss the jeans but also to get a sense of customer’s personality. This process can last up to an hour, sometime more if a client gets overwhelmed by the sheer number of fabric selections. “Viktor is different from the mass market stuff because I’m offering custom-fit jeans not just for a body, but for a lifestyle too.” Hence the tagline: Fitter, richer and happier.

Since Viktor’s first 25 pairs (which Ino refers to as the “Alpha_Test”versions) and the following hundred pairs (the “Beta-phase of course), Ino has bough his own machines and hired workers to speed up productions and match the number of growing orders. The “Kappha phase” is now in full swing, and the “Delta phase” is in the planning stage. How much for a pair of Viktors? About 3000 pesos and up, depending on the style and fabric. A bit pricy but there are perks: if you gain or lose some weight Ino will make adjustments or make a new pair of jeans, no extra charge.Also, consider the philosophy behind each pairs: “My goal is to enlighten people.”Ino says “it’s better to pay for quality. In the long run you save more money with a good pair of jeans you’ll wear forever than a mass produced pair you’ll eventually discard.