Fashion Reveries

Not too long ago, we shared a restaurant during lunch time with Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Kaye Tinga. Both mentioned they were working on a fundraising event, which turned out to be the annual Red Charity Gala, which was to raise funds for the Philippine Red Cross and the Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation.


When you have two very stylish organizers like Prieto and Tinga, it is no surprise that this year’s gala shouldn’t be missed. Dubai-based designer Michael Cinco graced the prestigious event this year as the featured designer, showcasing a 40-piece collection at the Makati Shangri-la hotel.

Cinco seeks his inspiration from his travels. The latest of which was a trip to Greece, including stops at Athens and Santorini. Most probably enamored with the wonderful sunsets of old Greece, Cinco started his collection in neutral hues such as light gray to bolder hues like yellow, orange, red, and brown. We love the extra detail that went with the collection, such as an overload of bangles and shoulder accents that seemed to look like body armor. A great contrast, if I may add, Cinco’s feminine silhouettes.


Pieces were designed to fall delicately on the body. Some were figure-hugging, others, voluminously flowing. All are delicately and intricately fabricated with Cinco’s trademarks of crystals, embroidery, and embellishments.

Cinco ended the show with a bridal set and his muse, Georgina Wilson, wearing a mermaid-cut gown with sheer lace-work sleeves that gave off an illusion of white embroidery on her arms. A triple layer of the hemline added delicate volumes for that dramatic entrance.

Michael Cinco is now preparing for World Fashion Week in New York as the Philippine representative this November. We’re pretty sure his collection will win the audience’s hearts as it did us and Dubai.