The secret of Bernadette
Edgar San Diego is known not only as a couturier and Fashion Designers’ Association of the Philippines president but also as one of the most prolific theatrical designers in the country. Fresh from his stint completing costumes for the musical Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (which currently runs at Resort’s World Manila), San Diego was fixated by a specific protagonist in the play. “My thoughts kept on coming back to the character Bernadette (played by Jon Santos). Bernadette is a prim and proper transgender in his sixties. For this personality, I created an ensemble of ‘50s outfits that is reminiscent of the style of comedienne Lucille Ball’s TV character in I Love Lucy. I used the character Bernadette as my inspiration for this collection.”
San Diego used brocade, tulle and taffeta materials and featured silhouettes that glorify the hourglass figure. Equally noticeable in this collection is the preference for dramatic colors such as red, black and steel gray.
Photography by Joanne Zapanta-Andrada • Model: Marianna Henud • Art direction by Rem Divino • Production assistant: Kinny Andrada • Makeup and hairstyling by Raz Rimor of Azzanzi Salon (0906-3673269) • Edgar San Diego’s atelier is located at 89 Gen. Segundo St., Heroes Hill, Quezon City. For more information, call 0918-9079609, e-mail edgarsandiego81@yahoo.com or visit www.edgarsandiego.com