Filipino designer a finalist in US reality show

NEW YORK — Lifetime Television is set to roll out another reality show on fashion to be called “24-Hour Catwalk,” strutting on the heels of its highly popular “Project Runway” hosted by Heidi Klum.

Joey Galon to do Catwalk

The show, to be led by British model and former MTV star Alexa Chung, will feature four designers who will be competing in New York to become the next, maybe, Christian Siriano.

Visayan designer Joey Galon — his mother is from Cebu, his dad from Bohol — is among the four finalists.

“I have something to give,” Joey said in a chat with The FilAm in Chelsea. “I have years and years of fashion and creativity experience and I wanna bring that forward. So whatever it takes I’m gonna make it happen.”

Joey has a shop called Joey Galon Atelier in Las Vegas, showcasing years of experience as haute couture designer and pageant coach He designs gowns for beauty pageant contestants. His gown for last year’s Miss Philippines – a modern version of the Filipiniana terno — won Best National Costume.

“Catwalk” may be a little bit different from “Runway,” but Joey would not reveal much except to say the concept is “brand new.”

But he spoke about the “tedious” process to becoming a finalist.

“They asked me a lot of questions, there’s a lot of phone interviews. They had me create an audition video, had me describe myself and talking about topics of who I am. I had to put a video together and they cast me from there. I was really lucky for that,” he said.

Born in the Bay Area, Joey has been a fashion and beauty stylist since he was 18 years old. He published the book, “Runway for Life,” tracing his career as a stylist and how he inspires young girls to be “the best that they can be.

“I would be disappointed if I didn’t make it,” he said. “Hopefully, somebody will notice what I can do. Whether I win or not I’m just grateful to be able to be in there.”

Joey said his formal gowns are for slender models as they are for regular full-bodied women.

“Classic looks are important to me. I like a little bit more rounded, more fit models versus the sometimes typical kind of vertical, a little bit too skinny models. I like women that are a little bit more voluptuous, a little bit older or the older classics. I’m a little bit old-fashioned, and I bring the modern approach to women today but with the influence of the classics,” explained the designer who has worked for Macy’s, Oscar de la Renta and Armani.

“My taste and designs are diverse,” said Joey. “I design based on the women’s personalities.”