For Uptown/Downtown’s fashion editorial, designers Rem Divino, John Guarnes, Izza Gonzales-Agana and Anne Bichelmeir came up with collections that evoked the drama of the cinema and stage. Inspirations ranged from Raquel Welch (Izza’s orange chiffon gown with low neckline) to Tina Turner (Guarnes’ head-turning gold dress), Joan Crawford (Divino’s structured silk gowns), Marissa Berenson (Verso’s one-shoulder tent jersey number) and Kate Winslet (Divino’s black gown with sheared neckline).
“We did not design the clothes with the icons specifically in mind,” explains Divino. “But these clothes attract certain types of women and I guess those celebrities represent these style choices.” Which is not to say that only women fitting these icon descriptions can wear these clothes. Bichelmeir shares, “When a woman is filled with confidence, she can wear practically anything. Dramatic clothes heighten the expression of a woman’s personality. All women are heroines of their own private movies! That makes dressing up for the part more exciting!”