Masters of the Bench Universe

The biggest show on earth happened two nights in a row. Yes, history repeated itself for two consecutive nights in an unprecedented show of flesh and flash, otherwise known as the Bench Universe Show.

Months before the lead-up to the past few days’ one after another spectacle, billboards and full-page ads are filled with stars promoting the event, designers are abuzz on what they’ll make and social media timelines are flooded with up-to-the-moment posts. From celebritweets on their fittings with the designers, to what they’re wearing on that day, to where they’ll be seated that night to customers clamoring for last-minute tickets for the much-anticipated event of the year. All of the above take a backseat to the show, which is really what it is all about.

All hype would be nothing if the show and the products weren’t good. Luckily for Ben Chan, he has mastered the art of quality of product exceeding hypethe type of hype that is unprecedented in this industry. People can try, but pretensions die a natural death. In the end, only the truly mythical survive. 

How do you create that myth that can rival Mount Olympus? You get the best of the best of the best. Make them clamor for it. Put them in an arena. Then make the universe your playground. Nothing less for Bench’s 25th year in setting trends for the industry and beyond.

SPECTACULAR, SPECTACULAR! 

“This is the Olympics of the Dubai designers,” said one fashion mover. “It really is their moment.” True to form, what we saw was a gold standard in design and showmanship. “They try to outwit, outguess and outdo each other.” Fashion industry insiders wait in anticipation, waiting for this moment of shock and awe. For what is fashion without the drama?

Furne One had LED lights all over his pieces. Michael Cinco went Michael Jackson with his intricately sewn Swarovski-studded pieces. Ezra went feathery using rooster, ostrich, peacock and anything that came with plumes. Cary Santiago chose the theme “Angels and Demons” with papier-mâchéd faces of gargoyles in multiple colors wrapped in jersey. Randy Ortiz, Rajo Laurel, Joey Samson, Dubai-based Valta Guba and Albert Andrada complete the designer collaborative “spectacular spectacular”!

Let me give you a quick countdown of the numbers: 25th year, two nights in a row, 135 models, 106 Filipino dancers, 20 dancers flown in from Los Angeles and countless local and foreign celebrities comprising the intergalactic universe otherwise known as Bench.

“As a seasoned director, it gave me a new level of excitement as an artist. It elevated my devotion to my directing craft,” said Robby Carmona who I spoke to the day of the first night. Johnny Manahan is overall director. Staging and fashion direction by Robby Carmona. Dance choreography by Joanne Laygo. Noel Manapat is head stylist.

WHAT WAS AND WHAT WILL BE

Want a rundown? Here goes. West End rock star Mig Ayesa opened the show with a full cast of performers. A comet descends into a red planet, and alien-looking models come out in full tableau. And the show just started.

The legendary Bench TV commercial, the immortal classic with Richard Gomez rowing, is interspersed with a giant skull descending upon the heavens. “I welcome you all to the Bench Universe. We will travel together and experience what was and want will be.” Ben Chan tweeted this to me at 4 a.m. three days before the Bench Universe Show.

The underwear, on its own, is flashy and bright and wild. There are blues mixed with shocking greens, oranges mixed with fuchsias, neons infused with the colors or the sky. Everything is way more daring, crazy and cool. It was as if an alternate universe had been created just for this collection. 

The highlights are countless. America’s Next Top Model alumni Sophie Sumner, Dominique Reihard and Allison Harvard all flew in for the love of Bench. Catriona Gray, stilt walkers from LA and too many to mention. To top it all off, no less than the Far East Movement entertained the SM MOA Arena packed-to-the-rafters crowd. They made everyone feel so fly like a G6.

And Ben’s curtain call? Mr. Ben Chan took to the SM Arena stage with pyrotechnics lighting up each step as he walked on the runway. He then was raised high upa symbolic gesture that, for Ben and his global brand, there is nowhere to go but up.

In the end, who benefits? The Filipino audience, who is as ready as Bench is for the worldnope, the universe.

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More “Universal” highlights and sidelights plus up to the minute tweets at twitter.com/officialTIMYAP and officialtimyap on Instagram.