The sexiest show ever - uncut and unleashed
MANILA, Philippines - In its 23rd year, Bench once again sets the mood for a good, old-fashioned turn-on.
Heavenly bodies, otherworldly figures and super natural charm will be brandished as only the brand can in “Bench Uncut: The Denim and Underwear Show (A Bold Look at the Future),” which will be held on July 2, 7 p.m., at the Araneta Coliseum.
“This edition will be more elaborate, and with the focus on exquisite cultures that Bench has a strong presence in,” says Ben Chan, Bench founder and executive creative director.
Indeed, as Filipinos continue to excel in their chosen fields in other parts of the world, Bench, a truly global Pinoy brand, aims to showcase its remarkable artistry in this steamy fashion show divided into five parts. Each will be a showcase of the Bench philosophy but with a decidedly universal appeal. And each special suite will be spearheaded by a remarkable design talent who perfected his craft in the Middle East. The carefully selected haute couture practitioners will incorporate Bench denim and underwear into their collections, which in turn will be greatly inspired by five countries in which the brand is enjoying a sizable market share.
Beirut-trained but now Cebu-based Cary Santiago will put the Philippines on splendid display. He will do fresh takes on the Pintados and pre-Hispanic gold jewelry and incorporate them into his Bench collection. The Pintados, or painted ones, were Visayan natives during the Spanish colonization. The term originated because they painted their bodies with red clay, and because of their tattoos. The men tattoo their entire bodies with beautiful images using small pieces of iron dipped in indelible ink. Both men and women have long hair worn knotted upon the crown of their heads.
Dubai-based Ezra Santos will infuse African flair into Bench. Ezra explains, “I’m doing Africa 2020, so I’d have to be more modern in a way. I’m not going to use the colorful palette which Africa is known for, but I’ll be using gold, sand and black to give it a 2020 look with a touch of colors. I won’t be doing it for the Philippine market, but (I want to) make it more global. It has to have the more global appeal which I think is where Bench excels. To conquer the continents of the world — I believe that has already started,”
Val Taguba of Dubai will dazzle with his Brazil segment. “I will focus on the exotic birds of the Amazon, so expect a kaleidoscope of colors,” he shares. “Brazil and the Philippines have a lot of things in common. We share with the South American country the same passion for life amid a backdrop of colors.”
Big in Germany but also Dubai-based, Furne One is in charge of China, with all its old-world trappings and splendor. One explains, “I used a good amount of the techniques I learned over the years to create designs loosely based on the culture and history of my assigned reference country, China. Traditional Chinese costumes are extremely distinct. They have this kind of majestic opulence and intricate detailing that is, needless to say, cut out-of-sync with modern-day fashion. So, to make it more accessible to Filipino taste, I refined it a bit — giving it a funkier, edgier feel, and simplifying it without compromising its basic elaborate essence. The result, as you will soon see, is highly stylized but not overly artsy designs.”
The acclaimed Michael Cinco will mesmerize with a shimmering, modern take on the ill-fated Romanovs of Russia and Ballet Russes, the itinerant ballet company which performed under the directorship of Sergei Diaghilev. The company collaborated with the rising fine artists at that time in the design of its sets and costumes. These included Pablo Picasso, Coco Chanel, Henri Matisse, Joan Miró and Salvador Dalí. Their designs contributed to the groundbreaking excitement of the company’s productions. Cinco says, “I was very excited when Bench came up with the idea of tapping Dubai-based designers in showcasing their latest collection of underwear and denims in the grand show, ‘Uncut.’ Bench has undoubtedly made an impact in the global market and the timing is just auspicious that we collaborate with each other to reach an even wider, more prolific market. I am tapped to do Russia 2020 and I will keep it light fantastic — literally and figuratively.”
Smolder for smolder, spark for spark, and sizzle for sizzle, our homegrown sex symbols and celluloid sweethearts will strut their stuff on the specially designed Araneta Coliseum stage. Katrina Halili, Georgina Wilson, Sam Pinto, Iya Villania, Regine Angeles, Karylle, Shaina Magdayao and Carla Abellana will unleash their inner sirens and goddesses to delight their legions of followers.
Their masculine counterparts (no strangers to adulation themselves) will be Coco Martin, Ejay Falcon,Jake Cuenca, Dingdong Dantes, Rafael Rosell, Jon Avila, Zanjoe Marudo, Ron Morales, Christian Bautista, JayR, John Prats, Rayver Cruz, Enchong Dee and Diether Ocampo.
Barely dressed supermodels will increase the fashion factor with their expert maneuvers on the runway, and their equally adept handling of the exquisite clothes of the internationally celebrated designers.
The show will also be rife with romances, with the kilig factor to be provided by rival network love teams Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal and Kim Chui and Gerald Anderson, Are You the Next Big Star’s Frencheska Farr and Geoff Taylor, the newest Pinoy Big Brother top five, and Starstruck Five finalists Steven Silva, Diva Montelaba, Sarah Lahbati and Rocco Nacino.
To give the show added groove and verve, Bench invited the acclaimed L.A. Dancers to heighten the excitement. Composed of 12 gravity-defying performers (with two of them proudly Pinoy), the group will enliven the stage even further.
The sexiest show ever will be directed for the stage by Robbie Carmona and for TV by Johnny Manahan. Set designer is Gino Gonzales. Lighting by John Batalla. Technical director is Bong Garcia, choreography by Joanne Laygo and styling is by Noel Manapat.
