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"Our idea was pan cultural, a mix of Moroccan and Indian with a little hint of French flirtation," said Avatar's Gil Carunggay after a whopping coup de grace in last weekend's gala of Bijoux Cebu at the Capitol Social Hall. Together with other creative minds from the Cebu Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters Foundation (Cebu FAME Foundation), he collaborated with fashion designers Arcy Gayatin, Cary Santiago, Dino Lloren, Edwin Ao, Jun Escario, Vania Romoff and Philip Rodriguez for a fabulous presentation that made one influential foreign buyer say, "After I saw everything, Paris is nothing!"

French flirtation it was, with more than just hints, what with aesthete extraordinaire Cary Santiago dressing his mannequins in flamboyant pastels that played on the peek-a-boo. There was plenty of organza and the air was thick with subtle seduction, thundering up to a fabulous finale. An exposed leg carried more than just an anklet but an opulent ornament as were the mannequins' crane necks, earlobes and arms. And surprise! A man's belt to compliment any maharajah or a forward thinking man was unleashed on an unsuspecting audience that was revved up to George Michael's Freedom echoing the late Gianni Versace's frenzy feeding show more than a decade ago.

In the weeks to come, it will be a fashion holiday with the collections of Philip Rodriguez with Pan Arts; Victoria Marin and Arcy Gayatin with Impressione; Jun Escario with Mark Masa for Ian International; Edwin Ao with Bon Ace; Dino Lloren with Genea; and Vania Romoff with Arte Handicrafts.

 Bravissimo!