An evening of fantasy lingerie

( First of two parts )

Ever since I can remember, I’ve always felt comfortable going to bed in swimming trunks and torn loose shirts. No, I’ve never liked pajamas because I can’t breathe in them. However, I do know of some people who really invest in good sleeping attire, no, not just for their honeymoon, but also for nightly wear.

Actually, there is a young designer in town who specializes in sleeping attire. His name is Armando Fabia and he counts among his clients some celebrities including Rosanna Roces and Michelle Bayle.

Winner of several awards in the field of fashion here and abroad (particularly in France and Australia), Fabia originally specialized in bridal gowns. But when his brides started asking him to make outfits also for their honeymoon, he thought, why not start making couture sleepwear?

On Oct. 23, Wednesday, at the Music Museum in Greenhills, Armando Fabia is mounting a fashion show called Sheer 2003. This will feature his wide and colorful male and female lingerie collection.

Sheer 2003 is produced by Primeworks Intermedia Inc. a young, but aggressive company put up by Arleyne Catabas, Sandee Uyengco and Armie Bergonio. The fashion show they are putting up at the Music Museum will be hosted by radio legend Jo San Diego – with the special participation of the equally legendary Celia Rodriguez who will model a special lingerie which Fabia describes as "a long and flowing beaded black gown with an opera coat – shades of Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard."

In Sheer 2003, the audience will be treated to a night of fantasy lingerie to be presented in high drama reminiscent of Hollywood in the glamorous ’20s and ’30s. Armando Fabia – so his clients swear – has great ideas (all of which you’ll see when you watch his show on Oct. 23). To test him, I asked this young and talented designer to think of designs for sleepwear for the following celebrities.

Vilma Santos – A long and flowing pink nightgown. "You see," Armando points out, "her life in politics is already so ‘straight’ and rigid during the day. Wearing this beautiful long and flowing gown in pink at night before she sleeps would remind her that she is still a movie queen."

Nora Aunor – Blue and white striped pajamas with a royal crest in the pocket. "She’s showbiz royalty, but she doesn’t seem to like frills, so I’ll put her in a simple but elegant set of pajamas," says Fabia. "But I’ll insist on her wearing a diamond bracelet, so that when she removes the pajamas, ’yon lang ang matitira."

Sharon Cuneta – A long pink nightgown with lace in the bust area – with a robe also in pink which will make her look very sexy. "Well, si Kiko (Sen. Francis Pangilinan) naman ang makakakita ’nu’n, so I guess okay lang ’yun," laughs Fabia.

Pops Fernandez – "I see her in a black corset top with panties," says the designer. "Vamp din kasi ang image niya." Fabia, incidentally, only has praises for the Concert Queen’s T-shirt line, Pipay, all of which he says are very sweet and girlish.

Martin Nievera – A pair of sheer pajamas in flesh. "Parang he is baring everything, but not quite."

Maui Taylor – Men’s pajamas… see-through all throughout… and in orange. "Para lumaki ang hitsura niya," insists Fabia. From him, I learned that orange is a "screaming" color and that petite people should wear this – "para lumaki ang aura ng tao."

Robin Padilla – White T-shirt with nothing below – "parang always ready to fight," naughtily laughs Armando.

Assunta de Rossi – A long all-lace white nightgown – with nothing underneath. "Kasi, di ba, ang image niya ngayon, going toward decent, but still sexy?"

Rep. Jules Ledesma – Nothing. "Didn’t he admit in an interview that he wears no underwear?" says Fabia.

Alma Moreno – Long-sleeved cashmere sweatshirt with matching pants. "From the very beginning, she was one of cinema’s great sex symbols. Eh, di para maiba naman," reasons out Fabia. "It will also serve as some sort of cocoon for her to protect her from all the problems plaguing her since last year."

Lorna Tolentino – A short lavender nightgown with slits, but with thongs inside. "The beautiful woman that she is, she can get away with any attire."

Rudy Fernandez – Silk navy blue pajamas. "Daboy is the Cary Grant type. ‘Yung machismo niya, hindi bastusin," stresses Fabia.

Wendell Ramos – Just a pillow. Did I hear him right? "You heard me right," says Fabia. "Unan lang – and preferably in red." (To be concluded)