Sleepwear for the stars

There is a young designer in the fashion industry who is said to be a master at making fancy and top-of-the-line sleeping attire. His name is Armando Fabia and he is supposed to be so good that an independent production company is producing for him a fashion show called Sheer 2003: Male and Female Lingerie Collection at the Music Museum on Oct. 23, Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. (The show is sponsored by the Manila Bulletin and Destiny Cable in cooperation with Ericsson, Gerry Sunga Accessories, Woman Today, Alcatel Phils. Inc. and Mirror Magazine and brought in part by Bioessence, Bambbi Fuentes Salon Fairview and La Legende Entertainment Complex.)

Fabia is a winner of several awards both here and abroad. A lot of people also swear by his works. However, I have to admit that I am quite ignorant of the things he does and so, in my last column, I started testing him on how good he really is at concepts (with regard to the execution, you may have to watch his Music Museum show on Oct. 23). I gave him a list of celebrities and asked him to conceptualize fantasy sleeping attires for them. Below is the conclusion:

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – Something sexy. "Since GMA is petite, I can’t put her in a long night gown," points out Armando. "I’ll probably make her a pair of frilly shorts with camisole top – plus a long robe. This way, she’ll look tough on the outside, yet soft and girlish on the inside." With this bedroom attire, you bet the President will really have plenty of sex.

Sen. Loren Legarda – Chiffon in lime green. "But I have to make it layered para hindi talaga see-through. This way, you don’t know what you are seeing to keep the mystery," explains Fabia.

Sen. Juan Flavier – A pajama set with comic prints. "You see, he has a comic side and he is very boyish."

VRB Chairman Bong Revilla – All-white pajamas. "’Yung malinis na malinis, in keeping with his role as VRB head," says Fabia. "But I will make the material of his pajamas in soft cotton para makita ’yung bulges ng muscles niya," he adds.

Mayor Joey Marquez – Nothing! "I won’t make him wear anything," insists Fabia. "Di ba naughty ang image niya? And he is the type who can get away with anything – no matter how naughty."

Kris Aquino – All-black teddies with thigh-high lace stockings and stilettoes. "Nobody expected that of her, pero may pagka-vamp din pala siya," claims Fabia.

Winnie Monsod – Pajamas in shimmering gold. "I will make it without frills. Only the color gold will provide the glamour."

Oscar Orbos – White boxer shorts, "Given the fact that he’s a bit on the dark side, bagay na bagay sa kanya ang white."

Mike Enriquez – Pajama bottoms in white, but with heart prints in red "to show his soft side."

Vicky Morales – "I actually find her very sexy," says Fabia, "so I’ll make her a pair of fire engine red na bra and panties in sheer lace. That would really look good on her – for as long as she doesn’t wear that while delivering the news."

Korina Sanchez – A pair of navy blue pajama bottoms in the most luxurious silk. "Sa itaas, topless na siya," insists Armando. "That will show that she is really an empowered woman. Kung ’yung guy kasi topless, dapat topless din siya."

Mel Tiangco – Short nighties with ruffles – plus boa feather inserts. "If you notice, pati hair ni Mel Tiangco binago. Kasama itong design ko with her reinvention."

Jessica Soho – A really loose and big T-shirt with a Betty Boop print in front. "That’s really how I see her – parang si Betty Boop."

Arnold Clavio – Sweatshirt and jogging pants with Mickey Mouse prints "because he’s always on the go," explains Fabia. "The Mickey Mouse prints is to show that there is also a lighter side to him."

Aljo Bendijo – A pair of white briefs and white tank tops – "with him on an all white bed because that should be his rest from the dark side of police reporting."

Julius Babao – A pair of beige pajamas "because he looks rather sedate."

Christine Bersola – Baby blue shorts with ruffles "because she is already a woman, but still a bit girlish, especially with the way she talks."

Miriam Quiambao – Black lace lingerie. "She actually projects a sweet image, but inside, she seems to be very sexy."

Regine Velasquez – A long lace nightgown in shimmering gold with gold glitters. "And I will put a super long train – para diva pa rin ang dating."

Ara Mina – a red robe with full ruffles. "But when she removes it, black thongs na lang in lace."

Joyce Jimenez – Boy’s shorts in white lace. "Actually, I find her line – Private Joyce – very wearable. Those are things girls would really love to wear," notes Fabia.

Rica Peralejo – Baby pink teddies with bridal belt. "Para siyang vamp, but still girlish at the same time," says Fabia.

Judy Ann Santos – "If she would dare wear this, I would put her in a red lace corset and panties so she can flaunt her new body. With this, she can show the world that she’s no longer the chubby little girl we used to see on screen. She’s now very sexy."

Claudine Barretto – Pink lingerie with rose prints "para mukhang mabangong-mabango siya."

Jolina Magdangal – Pajamas with Power Puff Girls prints "kasi mukhang girlish pa din ang image niya."

Dingdong Dantes – A pair of white briefs. "Hunk ang dating niya, pero wholesome pa din," says Fabia.

Jordan Herrera – Only a pair of white socks "but pure clean white ’yung socks," insists Fabia.

Vic Sotto – A long nightshirt in white cotton. "He is a man of contrasts," says Armando. "On TV, he’s Mr. Clean, but at the same time, you hear stories about him being a ladies’ man."

Rosanna Roces – Bridal garter belt, a diamond dog collar and Chanel no. 5. "With Osang, pabango lang, okey na."