LONDON - It was a once in a lifetime experience for Nicholas Almontero, an up and coming Filipino British designer in London, when he was invited in Buckingham Palace for an exclusive garden party with Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales.
Almontero was surprised when he received the invitation from the Palace to attend a party organized to honor the youth from the different parts of the United Kingdom who made significant contributions in the society through their own special ways.
“I was very excited when I got the invitation through the post. It was very official, the envelope was so nice, so formal,” he said.
He was one of the successful members of Prince Charles’ Prince Trust Charity who was given financial support to put up his own business.
According to the Prince’s Trust Charity website, “it is a youth charity that helps change young lives”. The charity has “helped more than 600,000 young people since 1976 and support 100 more each working day”.
Because of Prince’s Trust Charity, Almontero was able to establish his own clothing line called Disciplined. But before making it into this business, he took a degree in Graphic Information Design at the University of Westminster in London.
He was delighted to share his experience when he attended the said party inside Buckingham Palace. He had the chance to personally see the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
“During the tea party there were people singing, performing. I got a chance to shake Prince Charles’ hand and Camilla’s hand. And they asked a little bit about my business and I told them. They smiled. It was pretty good,” he said.
Almontero is a role model for the youth here in England who continues to inspire people through his designs and business.
He is now busy organizing, together with the people from Disciplined clothing line, a charity event to be held in London for the victims of Ondoy in the Philippines. The event will be held at the Dome in 178 Junction Road, Tufnell Park, N19 SQQ on the 31st of October. This is in cooperation with the Philippine National Red Cross, Filmefilmstv.com and Urban Seduction.