Generous hearts dazzle

The much-awaited Red Charity Gala 2015 dazzled with glamour recently where esteemed designer Lesley Mobo presented his edgy 40-piece collection. Event organizers Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Kaye Tinga, both in Mobo gowns, welcomed guests to the Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La Manila. 

“It is amazing how this idea that we have envisioned several years ago is still burning with flames. We are very happy to partner with creative and world-class talents, feature their works and give back to the community all at the same time,” Tessa said.

Before Lesley Mobo lit up the runway with his 40-piece set centered on Tudor romance and dynasty kitschy glamour, the gala saw a successful auction conducted by Tessa and Tim Yap that helped raise funds for the benefit of the Philippine Red Cross, Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation and its sister organizations.

Some of the packages auctioned included a luxurious stay in Shangri-La Paris, Premium Economy flights to France via Singapore Airlines and a Balesin membership. Lesley then heated up the runway with his signature underwear collection to glamorized street fashion and shimmering romantic gowns. 

Lesley said, “I think it is wonderful to use fashion as a platform to raise funds and help people save lives through Red Cross. We have to remember that the charity is at the heart of the event. The most important job a designer can do is to make people feel a part of something bigger than themselves.”

Lesley Mobo’s name has been perpendicular to signature brands such as Diesel and Uniqlo. He has received Colin Barnes Award for fashion illustration from Central Saint Martins and his works also took center stage in the Fashion in Motion exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

“The heart of each supporter and designer lies at the core of the Red Charity Gala. And we will use that as an inspiration to do better and touch more lives in the succeeding years,” Kaye added.

The Red Charity Gala was directed by Ariel Lozada with fashion styling by Noel Manapat and hair and makeup by Henri Calayag.

Designed for greatness

Renowned Slim’s Fashion & Arts School held an exhibit titled Best of Student Work 2015 at the SM Mega Fashion Hall recently. The exhibit, co-presented by SM, was held in time for the school’s 55th anniversary.

The exhibit, inspired by the ‘60s, the decade the fashion school was established, showcased 27 garments including hand-sewn barongs that were designed, cut and sewn by Slim’s students as a part of their class projects.

Twenty-five aspiring designers — all millennials — translated ‘60s fashion into fresh pieces for a whole new generation of stylish women. Their talents and craftsmanship were evident in dressmaking, patternmaking, fashion designing and bespoke tailoring.

These students were Sandy Bobiles, Yvone Tabanao, Reymund Claridad, Ray-Ann Gutierrez, Daryl Aldave, Maria Concepcion Andres, Mario Santos, Ernz Huiso, Rusanne Casela, Banjo Cordero, Abdul Gaffar, Aireen Javier, Bea Rodriguez, Lexter Badana, Abigail Andales, Alena Little, Arriane Sevilla, Nela Fornier, Ulyses Alim, Karen Olaño, Alley Magtibay, Mane Santos, Hannah Adrias, Nikko Bongalon and Anj Ong. 

Aside from the garments, an album of sketches of exquisite works of art and color-rich designs conceptualized and drawn by the school’s Fashion Design students were also displayed during the exhibit.

Slim’s Fashion & Arts School was founded in Manila by iconic Philippine couture designer Salvacion Lim Higgins and her sister Purificacion. Together, they wrote the highly technical lessons that continue to serve as a solid foundation for the school’s curriculum today, a procedure known as the Slim’s method. Today, siblings Mark and Sandy Higgins continue the legacy of their mother Salvacion through the school.

Graduates of Slim’s Fashion & Arts School move on to become part of the fashion industry and many have achieved success. They include Oskar Peralta (the school’s first ever graduate in 1961), Joe Salazar, Cesar Gaupo, Oliver Tolentino, Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos and Joey Samson.

The Slim’s Best of the Student Work 2015 is one of the many exciting fashion events at SM Megamall’s Mega Fashion Hall.

Of tannins, tapas & tarots

It was a sizzling night of flamenco,  fortune-telling and tapas at the party by Chilean wine brand Santa Rita held at Tapeo in Bonifacio Global City. The party featured the earthy Castilian flavors of the brand’s Sauvignon Blanc, Carmenere and Cabernet Sauvignon — the featured combination of its “120 wines.”

Tapeo at the Fort Strip was packed that night with Santa Rita holding true to its mission of making people’s moments enjoyable.

According to legend, 120 patriots, exhausted after a long, hard battle during the fight for Chile’s independence, reached the land belonging to Santa Rita. On that fateful night in 1814, these forces of liberty found refuge in the estate cellars. Today, within those same cellars, the award-winning 120 wines are crafted. These are young, elegant and fruity wines, perfectly balanced with soft tannins and good acidity. Exceptional value makes “120” an outstanding line of wines for everyday drinking.

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)