‘Are you home for good?” I asked the all black-clad Bandoix Flores Nebria, who recently transplanted from Dubai, at the opening of the Couturissimo boutique at Greenbelt 5 one Friday night.
“Yes, I am,” he said, seemingly confident with his decision to forego of the easy access to technique, fabric and expertise that a fashion designer of world-class caliber is used to, and settling in Manila, which is still arguably miles away from being a fashion capital.
Bandoix (Miss B to friends) came with the similarly all-black-clad Val Taguba. Together, they are the designer equivalent of the social x-rays like Lee Radziwill and Nan Kempner who are “never too rich or too thin.”
Lithe and limber, both could be mistaken for the boutique mannequins that wore creations by their good friend Michael Cinco, who was in town to showcase his collections at Couturissimo.
By Sunday, I again met the three international designers, in sun-repelling black shades, with veteran designer Barge Ramos. This time, it was to support another returnee from Dubai and good friend, Albert Andrada, who held a show to launch the “Le Grand Sunday Brunch at Spiral” at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel.
“Are you doing anything for a Binibining Pilipinas candidate this year?” I asked Val, who created the national costume, gold number and silver couture that our bet Rachel Peters wore to the Miss Universe 2017 pageant. “Not yet. But the finals will still be in March anyway,” the Zamboanga native replied.
The usually loquacious designers kept talking to a minimum as they enjoyed of Spiral’s famously delicious offerings. Like fashion houses, the Le Grand Royal Brunch thematic productions were divided into ateliers.
Every Sunday, you can choose among the North Indian Atelier (Murgh Shahjahani, from the royal Shahi Mughal Era), Chinese Wok (Stuffed Bai Hua Fish Maw), Thai Atelier (Tiger Prawn in Basil and Fried Noodles with Nam Jim Sauce), Hot Japanese Atelier (Fresh Tuna Yaki Shabu-Shabu), Korean Atelier (Grilled Beef Kalbi) and Filipino Atelier (Grilled Stuffed Squid with Eggplant Salsa).
When conversation did resume, it was fun and free-wheeling. And very not safe for work, especially when in proximity of models speaking in sexy Portuguese.
Talk would always go back to fashion, though. “I don’t want my shop to be in the busy business districts. It will be in Alabang,” Bandoix said. In the meantime, he enjoys dabbling in interior design and haute-cuisine styling.
Barge, my Hunty Brigitte whose deep knowledge on fashion I deeply rely on, is contemplating on writing more frequently. That’s great, I said, as some writers nowadays are disappointingly ignorant or oblivious of local fashion history.
Val, laconic in social situations, prefers to host intimate dinners at his atelier/house in Magallanes Village for close friends and loved ones. The spunky Michael said he’ll be back in March to deliver new pieces for his Couturissimo line. “It has been always my dream to do a pret-a-porter collection. I’m just so happy that Couturissimo gave us couture designers who are members of the Asian Couture Federation a platform to showcase our luxe couture creations to a more affordable market,” the Samar native said.
The collection has couture flourishes on it like embroidery details and touches of bead works, but it’s not as elaborate and intricate as the Michael Cinco couture line.
“I have so many inquiries from the Philippines who want to wear my dresses but can’t afford my couture price. So now at least Filipinos can now buy a luxe couture dress in the store where she can try and feel the fabric,” Michael said.
For his Le Grand Sunday Brunch show, Albert presented gowns and suits that would also be accessible to the local market, not as ornate or as lavish as his creations for the royals of Dubai.
Princess Margaret and her husband Lord Snowdon inspired the pieces. “Do you watch The Crown?” I asked, referring to the acclaimed Netflix series on the early years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, of which her younger rebellious sister has more of a good time.
“I haven’t,” Albert said, busy as he is with bridal orders, socialites’ demands and pageant-judging duties.
For Albert, Val and Bandoix, along with Michael, to join the local retail fray, and for them to somehow give up the couture trappings and ostentatious lifestyle that Dubai affords them, must be a testament that Manila has emerged as a viable business option for world-class couturiers.
Perhaps, it’s being secure in your talent, discipline and skills no matter where your atelier is. Perhaps, being back in the Philippines has made these designers realize that there, indeed, is a clientele for couture waiting to be catered to. Perhaps, they’re just happier, more at peace with themselves in their home country.
Maybe Miss B has the right mantra: “Accept everything about yourself. I mean everything. You are you, and that is the beginning and the end—no apologies no regrets. I never regret anything anyway. Every little detail of your life is what made you into who you are at the end. Live with no excuses and love with no regrets. Indeed! I’m blessed and still in the happiest days of my life! Amazing!”
Image credits: BONG REGALA