I got the invitation to the Philippine Fashion Ball in an understated white envelope, inside: a simple white card with my name handwritten on it. What got my attention was that aside from it being obviously a fashion event, there were no sponsors printed on the card. Clean borders without any logos! That's ultra rare for a fashion party--not unless of course that party was a private one thrown by a non commercial sector. So my thought balloon was: CLASSSSSS!! Di kelangan ng sponsors??!! Syempre, that made me even more curious. What was it? Who's throwing it? Anong ganap?!! So i trotted off to Mother P's desk and asked, are we going to this ball? And she goes, yah, I'm presenting something. Bonggah! May awards pa. CURIOUS!!!!
So anyway, didn't ask any more question, I guess we had to wait till the night itself to see what the whole thing was about. First thing first, had to have an outfit made. racked my brain for silhouettes to wear--should be easy given that the theme was black and white--but no!!! Ang hirap! Didn't want to do black coz that was so predictable. So white nalang, pero what design?!
On the night itself we had makeup done at Paulines. Thanks to MAC's Owen Sarmiento and Byron Velasquez. I wanted my signature smoky eyes, which believe it or not, I can't do myself. Go figure. I know, diba? And pale lips.
And then matched with the outfits, Ta-dah!! Linear pattern bustier, fit-and-flare dress on Pauline by Francis Libiran and me in a pleated ruff-neck dress with cape by Jun Escario. Thanks Ma!
Got to the Peninsula and was happy to see that everyone miling around were ALL dressed fit for a ball. Bumped into dear friends Marlon Rivera and Robi Lolin.
Mark Nicdao in this ultraslim suit, again, by Marlon Rivera.
No need for introductions.
And then Pam walks in in this stunning dress thats too hot! How do you wear anything underneath that landscape of sheer? It's not like you can liquify unwanted bulges in real life! This is toned physique at its best. RRowr.
Model Jasmine Maierhoffer in feathers and tiered flounce.
Jeweler Joyce Makitalo, surprisingly wearing an OS bone necklace along with her own creation.
Mond.
Georgina in Sassa Jimenez.
Candid yan. Haha.
Gorgeous couple Fatima and Hideo. Hideo won best dressed male of the night. Didn't get to ask who he was wearing though.
Designer Noel Crisostomo's muses: Jessica, Natasha, Michelle
Tim with his models: Justin and Jade
Liz in couture. She looks fittingly beautiful with the whole feel of the place. AC says this dress is very unforgiving, I agree. But Liz rocks its socks out. Which means her current frame is perfect. Model size lang mads??!! Haha. Dress by Dubai based designer Ezra Santos.
And guess who won best dressed female of the night? Hahahaha. Thats my trophy. As you've noticed, I've taken out my belt. Now what do you think is better, AC goes: "You need to cinch." (refer to second picture) and Vince goes: "Mas fashyon and a-line!". What do you think?
Heres a full look of my gown sans the belt. I thank whoever chose me because obviously, this is NOT typical best dressed fodder.
It's anti-cling. Anti-skin. Anti-shape. Anti everything. And yet I was awarded the huge-ass bottle of Belvedere. (So now you know who's the sponsor. Haha)
I hope you don't mind me putting in this quote from Raf Simons in his latest Elle Magazine interview: "Let's say you are in an environment where 50 women are dressed in mini-dresses, body stretch, or something with a clear accentuation of the body, and then there is this woman who is very much the opposite--she would have a white shirt on, say, and a huge, couture inspired skirt. Me, as a person, automatically I would be much more attracted to that woman, because she has a fascinating and different approach. She stands against all others. I think, Who is she? What is she about? What's her psychology? Why does she do this?"
So I'm thinking, it must have been an artist or a creative thinker who chose me, or someone with a really broad sense of aesthetics? Whoever you are, thank you. It feels good when being atypical and unconventional actually gets a bit of credit. Heeeeh. (photo credit: Mark Alvarez)
Mark, Pauline, Jake
That flash means serious business.
I was interviewed that night by ETC and they asked me what my favorite gown was so far. If I had seen Jo-Ann Bitagcols outfit by Joji Loren, I would have said that it was this one.
Kim, Myrhh, Boop.
Eug, Dong, Vince.
Lotho who wears the many hats and the only Comme des Garcon outfit.
Erwan.
Davao based designer Dodjie Batu.
Charmaine and Julius.
Etong mga fashion rebels talaga! Ayaw mag black and white! Liquid bronze lang on Nix.
Mich, i soooooper love that blue ribbon hat.
Tessa.
At ang pasabog ng gabing yown. The almost naked, stylist Pam Quinones and Anne Curtis both dressed by Rajo Laurel. Phhhhaaaaaaak!!! Sila na.
Definitely a night for the industriya. Fun, fun, FUN! 2am and the bar still wasn't dry! I would have taken more photos but my camera died at about midnight. Na Cinderella lang ako dun. KAINIS. least all the photos didnt turn into pumpkins. Heeh.
To Keren Pascual, Noel Manapat and the rest of your team who made the party possible, it ROCKED!!
