After all, palanggas, they and a few others like them are not the kind of personas who attend every event – or almost every event – in Cosmo Manille’s social circuit. They may be have a high net worth, dahlings, but choose to remain low profile, which moi thinks is so much more chic, dahlings. Yes, you read that right. They will only come out – dressed to the nines at that – and give up a Sunday evening to watch a grand Inno Sotto fashion show.
They were all tres glamorously visible at one of the hottest shows in the fashion world, palanggas, as they walked on the red carpet at the Shangri-La EDSA Plaza. They were seen applauding the genius behind the Holiday 2001 collection, the Royal of Alta Moda, multi-talented Inno Sotto, but who else, dahlings.
Inno S.’ collection paid tribute to awards-night glamour; Hollywood goddesses; and past and present Grand Entrance icons. They were interpreted for the here and now and forever in the inimitable Sotto way. Confidently streamlined, impeccable in their handwork and construction, witty in their trendiness but not at all gaudy, each piece was an elegant standout.
Little wonder why Cosmo Manille’s creamiest of the cream, the rich, famous and beautiful, dahlings, showed up in full glamorous force. They all knew they were in for another luscious treat.
Naturellement, all eyes turned towards President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a major fashion presence in an eye-catching canary yellow Joe Salazar.
Among the guests, the most fabulous – hands-down – were Mary Prieto, so classic and yet so modern in an Inno jersey number, and Chito Collantes, who made a statement in a Palm Beach print soft top, shiny fuchsia capris and embroidered mules.
The new generation muses did not disappoint. Sam Eduque wore a two-toned Inno long dress with an intricate belt and a "lettuce accent" falling from her shoulder. Lizzie Zobel donned a black dress with deconstructed sleeve. Margarita Fores wore a printed vintage fabric which she had asked Inno S. to convert into a bustier dress.
Kit Kat Zobel wore a pink Inno wrap top. Carla Reyes-Tengco’s low, low back gown was by Pepito Albert (Carla R.T. was escorted by her husband, businessman Al Tengco).
Head turners that night were First Daughter Luli Macapagal Arroyo; former First Lady Ming Ramos; Berna Romulo-Puyat; glam gal Mons Romulo-Tantoco in a luscious red gown; and Tessa Prieto-Valdes in a silk gown with frayed sleeves, all by Inno, plus so many others like them who know what classy Inno Sotto outfits are all about.
The EDSA Shangri-La’s Isla Ballroom was decorated with a pre-Oscar-style production design by the couturier’s longtime partner, "The Voice" Richard Tann, palanggas.
Moi spotted Inno S.’ close pals like international persona Josephine Knox in a knock-out fire engine red Inno S. gown; Patricia Cu-Unjieng in Pepito A. and her husband, PEOPLE Asia’s Philip Cu-Unjieng in a Hugo Boss; Ed Calma in a Commes des Garcons; Suzy Calma in a metallic blue Alberta Ferretti; Dodot and Mikee Jaworski; gorgeous Mai Mai Cojuangco in denims; Pedro and Gina Tambunting-Roxas; Fernando Zobel; Mia Borromeo and Jacques Dupasquier; and ultra glamorous Vicky Zubiri in a Lacroix.
Equally engaging, palanggas, was the divine presence of lovebirds Chris and Nanette Po; chic Maricris Vasquez-Prada; Rosanna Tuason-Fores; Maricris Cardenas Zobel; Marilen Santos Concepcion; designer Lulu Tan Gan in a Vivienne Westwood; Arturo Luz and his wife Tessie Ojeda-L.; the fabulous Doody Tuason in a yellow Dolce and Gabbana; Swatch sponsor and vivacious Southern persona Virgie Ramos in a Yoji Yamamoto; Cecille and Louie Ysmael in a Zegna; and Ces Drilon in white tux top and ball skirt.
There was no dull moment inside and outside the ballroom during the fashion show. Apres cocktails, the almost 500 invitees breezed in the ballroom which had been decorated by Antonio Garcia of Mabolo. Apres the standing ovation, the endless applause and the designer’s bow (he was holding an Oscar-inspired trophy with a girl’s silhouette), the party continued at the ballroom across where wine poured non-stop, just as the "oohs and ahhs" had buzzed all night long.
Everyone enjoyed a pleasant hangover from marveling at the heavenly creations modeled by Manille’s top mannequins including Apples Aberin-Sadhwani; Annette Coronel; local silver screen stars Victor Neri, Piolo Pascual, Mark Anthony Fernandez and Zoren Legaspi, who all came out in superbly tailored men’s formal and casual wear. Now you know why, dahlings, when it comes to our very own, it’s always been Inno Sotto for me.
It was a magical, starry, glitzy Sunday night indeed, palanggas, and fittingly, it all happened on the VIP red carpet.
See you.