Stamped with Couture

"Clothes," they say, "doesn't make the man (or the woman)!" But if Elizabeth Hurley didn't wear that revealing black number from Versace, would she make it to the A-list?

Surely she would remain in fashion limbo, doing grade C horror movies shown in dingy cinemas from Managua to Manila. Or where would Madonna (currently known as Madge) be now without it for that Jean Paul Gaultier cone-topped corset? Would Uma Thurman make a comeback without the Prada fluid gown she wore to the Oscars a few years back? And what do all these celebrities have in common? Why, haute couture, of course! Recently at the Miss Cebu 2007 pageant, celebrated designers whipped up gowns for their respective candidates, stamped with their distinctive brand of haute couture. Best Designer awardee Cary Santiago made a white and gold strapless Egyptian inspired column gown showing ample décolleté. Diva divine designer Wendell Quisido outfitted her candidate with a voluminous frothy pink gown complete with boa feathers that made the latter Best in Evening Gown and eventually, the winner. Most notable also were Ren Manabat's two-piece moss green, cerulean and mustard gown was a mastery in detail and cut.

So were concoctions from lady designers Minnie Yuvienco and Myrna Cebrecus with a peek-a-boo silver bustier with a layered chiffon billowy skirt and a fiery red webbed fitted gown with matching "armlets" (too big for a bracelet and it wasn't a pair of gloves either), respectively. Elegance was the key to Oj Hofer's burnt sienna silk taffeta gown with luxe jewelry by Greg Urra. Not to be outdone were Harley Ruedas with his tassled and beaded gown with opera coat and Philip Rodriguez, whose red halter stretch gown was a perfect fit on Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova. World class model beauty queens Karla Bautista and Melanie Ediza, both donned Belle Epoch inspired gowns by Dino Lloren. Much anticipated Felix Yu didn't disappoint. His collection of "Floralia" gowns on Miss Cebu 2006 Stephanie Señires and her court was haute couture par excellence. To Cebu fashion, bravissimo!