Criselda Lontok's visions of grandeur
MANILA, Philippines - Patronized by ladies of leisure, Criselda Lontok delivered a holiday collection designed with two women in mind: the kind who jaunts to Capri to laze about the beach and the kind who heads to Monte Carlo to do some serious partying. “The women who wear my clothes live a heady lifestyle,” says Lontok. “They aren’t satisfied with simple clothes. They want something a bit grander, a bit special.”
Divided into two distinctly different classes, casual jersey caftans and tops in an oversized floral print and stretch knit tops in vivid brights comprise the first. Lontok is famous for catering to a select market — women of a certain age who tend to favor comfortable, figure-flattering styles — and delivering the kind of clothes that makes her a regular in the cocktail party circuit’s wardrobe. Her casual pieces are emblematic of her current fixation on classic icons such as Jackie O and Grace Kelly.
The second group, made up of suits and dresses in gazar and trimmed in textured organza which Lontok imported from China, harks back to days of yore — when women dressed up for lunch, which, based on the number of women who turned up for Lontok’s show at Rustan’s Makati, is a tradition alive and well. “My clients don’t really do anything,” Lontok says wryly. “They go to parties and attend concerts.” Like Lady Gaga? “No,” she laughs, “more like symphonies.” Her patrons can often be found chairing charities or heading committees for organizations like Friends of CCP. “They devote lots of time to giving back — and attending events.”
These ladies who lunch appreciate the finer things in life — including the architectural cut of Lontok’s coats and the prim collar of her suits.
Lontok’s finale dress, a strapless gazar number with a fishtail hem, would usually be considered a bridal gown. Not in this case. Her clientele, after all, is hardly of the blushing bride variety. No, Lontok designed the dress with a grand party in mind, “like an opera opening or the Tatler Ball.”
“The women who wear my clothes aren’t the jeans and T-shirt type,” she says. “They like to think big.”
