In a quiet, appointment-only atelier in Englewood, New Jersey, Ble Tolentino Yalong builds garments that rarely stay local for long.
Known professionally as Amable Yalong, the Filipino American designer behind Y2 Collection has spent years refining a craft rooted in precision, culture and identity. This year, that craftsmanship reached one of entertainment’s biggest stages when BET President Louis Carr stepped onto the BET Awards red carpet in a custom Y2 ensemble.
“What an honor to have styled the president of BET,” Yalong said. “We smashed this one.”
The moment marked a milestone for the veteran menswear designer, whose journey began far from the spotlight.
Since launching Y2 Collection in 2015 during New York Fashion Week, Yalong has quietly built a reputation in the tri-state area for bespoke suits, wedding tuxedos and made-to-measure pieces. His work extends into the Filipino American community, where he is both a creative fixture and a 2017 TOFA awardee recognized for excellence in business and entrepreneurship.
Yalong started the Y2 Collection boutique along Palisade Avenue in Englewood and now works out of a private, appointment-only atelier. “That’s the beauty of the service – a private one-on-one exclusive fitting,” he said.
Inside his Englewood workspace, the process remains deeply personal. Each garment begins with conversation, measurements and intent.
“Tailoring isn’t just craft,” Yalong said. “It’s culture, it’s identity, it’s legacy.”
For Carr’s BET Awards look, Yalong focused on balancing authority with modern elegance. The design featured sharp tailoring, clean lines and subtle detailing intended to reflect both executive presence and red-carpet sophistication. Multiple fittings ensured precision, a hallmark of Yalong’s approach.
The connection to Carr came through years of relationship-building and consistent work with high-profile clients, including figures in media and sports. For Yalong, the opportunity was less about a breakthrough and more about readiness.
“When the moment comes, you have to already be prepared,” he said.
That preparation has long been visible in his collaborations, from outfitting wedding parties to styling media personalities like Fox Sports analyst Chris Broussard. Each project reinforces the designer’s philosophy: that luxury is not just about aesthetics, but experience.
Still, seeing a Y2 Collection design on a national stage carries a different weight.
From a Filipino American designer working within a tight-knit community to dressing one of Black entertainment’s most influential executives, Yalong’s trajectory reflects a broader shift – local talent gaining national visibility without losing its roots.
Back in Englewood, the work continues much the same way it always has: one client, one fitting, one story at a time.
But the stage is getting bigger.
