Pia Regala Hebron: Fashion’s next big star

All eyes will be on Pia Regala Hebron as Rustan’s launches her in her first gala fashion show for Luna tonight at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel at 6 p.m.

All her life, it seems that she has been at the right place at the right time.

Her fashion career started 10 years ago, after completing her studies at the Instituto per L’Arte e il Restauro in Florence, Italy. She came back to Manila and worked for Rustan’s.

Getting started at Rustan’s was not easy for her as she had to go through the usual route of interviews and showing her concept and ideas to the powers that be.

At a young age, she was given the weekend line, Caravan. This was in the early ’90s when everyone was wearing stirrup pants. Her line was churning these out by the hundreds. Suffice it to say, Caravan was a success.

In 1997 she took over the designing reigns of Luna from Vicky Pimentel who opted for a career change. Vicky’s design which was popular at that time was quite dynasty looking and popular among the ballroom-dancing ladies. They were lacy, puff sleeves, and the colors ranged from white to black to red. To suit the minimalist times, Pia had to change Luna’s image. Her choices were classic cuts, subdued color palettes and elegant dresses. It was a success.

Pia is also a designer of Jill, Rustan’s popular and successful line which was launched late last year.

Despite the economic woes the country is experiencing, Rustan’s is confident of Pia’s talent, energy and vision. The company sees it fit to give Pia her own show and relaunch Luna as her line. She has worked with the company for most of her career life, and she has not let them down.

Photo Frenzy

In relaunching Luna, Pia had to come out with ways to create an impact, something that required a bit of an edge. When it was suggested to her, to combine in one shot models that represent a specific generation, she liked the idea. Her only question was–"Has it been done?" Yes, Vogue did it once. But here in Manila, surprisingly, not yet. That was enough.

The models represented were: for the late ’70s Bessie Badilla del Castillo and Wanda Louwallien, ’80s to early ’90s Annette Coronel-Cruz, Suyenne Chi-Sia, Alta Tan, Izza Gonzales-Agana, the 90s and up Wilma Doesnt, Grace Tagle, Joan Bitangcol and Michelle Shulte.

The shoot was an interplay of fun, camaraderie, and of swapping stories. Bessie Badilla and Wilma Doesnt brought along laughs and barrels of kuwento. Many reminisced about their time, what it was like then, the names of the designers they encountered. Bessie during the group shot teasingly said " Even if we are all together in this shot, ako lang ang kinikuha. Close up ko ito." Her remark brought the house down and relieved some tension, if indeed there was any.

The youngest model, Michelle, who is only 17 years old, said honestly when asked if she had ever heard of any of the other models: "Out of all of them, maybe just two." She could not be faulted for her honesty. That was not her time, she was not around when these women lorded it over the runway. But now she knows who they are.

Through it all Pia was unruffled by the egos and time constraints. She was taking it all in stride. Photographer Denise Weldon shares that it was so much fun to do the shoot despite the difficulty in putting all these women together for one pictorial.

Luna Woman

So who is the Luna woman? Pia answers, "She definitely is feminine yet strong. She retains all the uniqueness and gracefulness a woman has. She is modern but not trendy, has good taste She is sexy and oftentimes daring."

For the show she drew inspiration from the glamorous ’30s to the Hellenic styles of the costumes worn by Isadora Duncan and Anna Pavlova. The colors that stand out will be shades of green, purple and violet, black, ivory white and the combination of both. The fabrics are in silks, chiffons and georgettes. Velvets and tafettas are used for formal affairs. Most, if not all, have subtle to heavy beading – all in Swarovski crystals.

Tonight’s The Night

Philippine fashion industry will never be the same again. It’s not because Pia is better than the others, but because there is another success story here. Pia is a woman who has been given a big break and who has the perseverance and passion to prove her worth. How many designers have come and gone, not because they weren’t talented but because they may not have had the backing or character. Pia is lucky to have all of it.

What does a designer think of as she walks off the ramp to take her bow? We can assume it will be "Thank God that’s over," "I hope I don’t trip," "I hoped they liked the collection."

For Pia it will probably be a sentimental road. In her mind she must be thinking of the last eight years and how it all led to this. The people she would like to thank for all their support and help, most especially her family and husband.

Realistically she probably will walk down the ramp, holding her pregnant tummy and whispering to her yet unborn child, "I wish you were here to share this with me."

Pia has embarked on one of the riskiest roads of her life, from the shadows to the spotlight. From here on, we are sure that the spotlight will grow to love her and her work.

She’s fashion’s next big star and tonight is her night.