RED Charity Gala founders Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Kaye Tinga already knew that it would be a daunting affair to gather all 10 of the world-renowned Filipino designers they have featured for the 11th run of the country’s biggest fashion and philanthropic event. That is, until they asked themselves, “Why then and not now?”—especially given that this once-in-a-lifetime gathering will again be for good cause.
“In the past couple of years, we’ve been thinking about bringing the designers all together, but we knew that would be ambitious because four of them are based abroad and the logistics alone would be a challenge,” shared Tinga during the gala’s preview held recently at The Manila Hotel.
“But then we thought that after 10 years, siguro we could do it, and so we just decided to go for it and [we know] it will be the most incredible show.”
This year’s annual fund-raising celebration, dubbed “The First Ten,” will return to Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig City on October 12. Among the roster of designers is Dennis Lustico, who was the gala’s first featured designer back in 2009.
He will present a collection called “The Story of Mei,” which will highlight his hyper-glam interpretation of the Chinese form-fitting dress of Manchu origin, cheongsam.
Dubai-based Filipino designer Furne One, the creative force behind the label Amato Couture, will also be in attendance.
Joining Furne is fellow Dubai-based Filipino couturier Michael Cinco.
The two fashion giants earned their stripes in the industry by dressing some of the entertainment landscape’s biggest names, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Ellie Goulding.
Meanwhile, seven years after his 35-piece origami-inspired collection, Cebuano designer Cary Santiago’s upcoming showcase will be a spectacle that combines edge, femininity, sophistication and modernity. On the other hand, Ezra Santos, the third UAE-based designer in the lineup, will exhibit a collection reflecting his modern classic interpretation of Arab culture and its women.
Jojie Lloren, for his part, will modernize the Philippines’ barong Tagalog, terno, and traje de mestiza with his architectural and minimal style while utilizing reengineered versions of Filipino garments.
London-based Lesley Mobo, who is the youngest of the group, was inspired by the classic age in film history. His collection will embody the impeccable structure and femme fatale quality of fashion that Hollywood put in the spotlight in the 1940s and 1950s. Those who have been following the news since August will know that Mobo created the highly publicized red sequined dress worn by Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados.
A self-proclaimed maximalist, Chito Vijandre’s collection will be comprised of fantasy couture pieces inspired by 18th- and 19th-century artists. Chito said his clothes will mirror how he experienced the world in his lifetime.
Joey Samson will be presenting a line of menswear that he described as androgynous, marked by a balance between contemporary and classic elements. His collection will be filled with details and structures that are both unexpected and traditional.
After successfully headlining last year’s “Archipelago,” Rajo Laurel will once again show his creations made from indigenous materials that will pay homage to the energy, colors and joy of the Ati-Atihan. Titled “Hala-Bira,” his collection will reflect his penchant for romanticism and luxury while featuring woven materials by marginalized women from Davao and Bicol.
Prieto-Valdes, who cochairman the event with Tinga, revealed they were able to raise a record amount last year for the benefit of the Philippine Red Cross and their Assumption Batch 1981s charitable projects, gathered from the auction packages and with the help of new and longtime bidders. With this in mind, will this year’s impressive roster surpass past numbers?
“Well, every year we have high hopes!” said Tinga. “But more than anything, we’re very thankful to everyone who has supported this cause. We’ve been very fortunate and I think that’s why we’ve been able to do this gala all these years. It’s an affair of the heart—all the sweat, blood and tears we put into that night to help our beneficiaries are all worth the show.”