The Shoe Must Go On

CEBU, Philippines - We saw glimpses of a disco party, a fantasy and an illusion. And they were all down south!

It is rather jarring to watch a fashion show when your eyes are all downcast so we were treated to an elevated runway in Luxx Vudu last June 8 that had Cebu's well-heeled personalities on a pedestal. And how could we forget? Cradling once the feet of Shandar's glamorous muses like Christina Frasco, Marjay Ramirez, Gayle Urgello and Ceilo Ramirez, Shandar shoes were walking fantasies of their own.

Magical things, these shoes are. When myths and fairy tales regaled us with stories of Hans Christian Andersen's Red Shoes, Cinderella's glass slippers and even Dorothy's ruby pumps, the bespoke shoes of Mark Tenchavez's Shandar tiptoe around the imagination and immediately found a way to step into our daily lives.

Shoes cannot simply adorn; they must protect, support and provide texture. As a design object, they unite form and function, utility and style. Mark's come-get-me Maren and Ramirez shoes were elegant, not overt. Frasco, Clemente and Santo Domingo had their allure coming from the fact that they were simultaneously revealed and concealed which is perhaps the secret of all romanticism in fashion. Named and designed after his muses, Shandar shoes validate the mantra that the most desired treasures are the ones we can wear.

"We want to show that Shandar is for all women, regardless of shape, size and personality," muses Mark. How totally ballsy it was to slip these babies on in the first place but when you do walk in them, they cede power immediately. Dazzle in a 6-inch Welch if you can and revel in its shoeniqueness. "You can never buy taste as a designer," he says.

Mark Tenchavez and his team wants to thank everyone who came and supported Shandar Grand Launch. "Especially to Ms. Meyen Baguio," he adds. "Even though she's miles away. Angelo Kangleon for our beautilful catalogue photos, Ms.Tessa Valdes, Luxx @ VUDU, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, and Frances Pilapil Evangelista Designs." Mark also heartfully expressed his thanks to our very own Cebuano Fashion Designers, Make-up artists in Cebu, stage director Peter Uy & staff, Lory Villareal, Binky Sybico, Claire Paden, Cebu models, Cary Santiago, Owen Taboada, Chassy Cortes of Y101, Valeriano Tomol III, Chiquiboy, Carlo Tumulak, Katrina Ramos, Pops Bacatan, Bergamo BTC and his very dear friends.

Check out all the collection and dream of sunshines. For bespoke Shandar footwear, email mark.t [email protected]or call 0927.680.5066.