Ferragamo in Manila

Style merged with substance at the biggest fashion event of the year when Italian fashion powerhouse Salvatore Ferragamo recently unveiled its Spring/Summer 2005 Collection in an exclusive invitational gala at the Westin Philippine Plaza’s Harbour Garden. Adding glamour and an aristocratic flair to the affair was the presence of James Ferragamo, dapper young heir to the fashion empire and grandson of the brand’s founder, who was joined onstage by Store Specialists, Inc. executive vice president Anton Huang. Also present was Store Specialists, Inc. president – a woman of great style and substance herself – Nedy Tantoco, who is likewise the president of the Philippine Italian Association, the evening’s beneficiary.

The guestlist included the who’s who of Manila’s high society, business leaders, diplomats and top government officials such as Italian Ambassador and Mme. Umberto Colesanti, Austrian Ambassador and Mme. Christian Krepela, Patxi and Sofia Zobel and Raymond de Malherbe, managing director for Salvatorre Ferragamo, Hong Kong, and many more. A sumptuous six-course dinner was served and entertainment was provided by ethnic vocalist Grace Nono and Makiling Ensemble, who’s ethnic ‘world music’ reinforced the theme of globalization in a fitting tribute to Ferragamo’s various cross-cultural influences and inspiration for the collection.