MANILA, Philippines — Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco, fondly called “Swarovski king” for his signature use of Swarovski crystals, strikes again with a magnificent cape hand-embroidered with 2.5 million Swarovski beads!
The cape was the highlight of Cinco’s 60-piece new collection presented at what was touted to be the world’s first-ever Metaverse Fashion Gala last Monday in Marriott Grand Ballroom, Pasay City.
The cape and its four-and-a-half-meter train have an embroidery pattern inspired by the history of Egypt, said Cinco’s Egyptian business partner Dr. Sayed Ali.
According to Ali, the cape contains 2.5 million original Swarovski stones – sewn by hand by the brand’s 135 artisans in Dubai in three to four months, together with the rest of the collection.
The cape was strutted by a female model, accompanied by two half-naked men, showing their oil-drenched biceps and six-pack abs, adding delight to the presentation.
“No number for this one,” Ali told Philstar.com on the cape’s price.
“Not for sale. Just a masterpiece,” he added.
He admitted that many of Cinco’s affluent clients wanted to have the cape, but such a museum piece that is probably more intricate than the capes of Europe’s royalty is priceless.
“A lot of people can afford it, but it’s not for sale,” he stressed. “A lot of people want to buy, but we’ll not sell it.” — Video by Philstar.com/Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo