'The only designer who can make it happen'

MANILA, Philippines - Gretchen Barretto: Inno Sotto, you are world class. You make me proud to be Filipino. Breathtaking creations!

 Samantha Eduque: Inno is always thinking. He has amazing concepts and ideas. He is the only designer I know who can make it happen. But no matter how intimate or grand the concept, he is always focused and in control, restrained, and flawless. Nothing over the top because he is never overwhelmed by it all. That’s why all of us love him and have remained loyal to him. That night, in the grandness of it all, I felt he was talking to me through his designs — flawless and elegant. And we all understood him.

Josine Elizalde: The show was beautiful, my hair was standing on end. Inno’s fashion show was a magnificent showcase of his brilliance in fashion design and masterful skill in the art of dressmaking. His trademark elegant simplicity shows in all of the women he dresses. All his designs were superb. For a brief second when I saw Inno come out, I felt the presence of Richard (Tann) at the CCP. To me, it was a very emotional moment.

Baby Araneta Fores:  Congratulations to Inno! It was a fabulous, elegant collection — and a very wearable one, too. This was his best. Bravo, Inno!

 Doris Magsaysay-Ho: Images of Inno’s show continue to appear in my mind like a beautiful painting that one does not forget.

Bledes Fores, Gaita Fores, Korina Sanchez, Veana Fores, Baby Araneta-Fores

Marvie Yulo: What a beautiful show! The stage design and music were excellent. The clothes were all elegant. Makes us proud to be Filipino.

 Marga Valdes: What a difficult act to follow by anyone else’s standards. Bea and I were teary-eyed during the show.

Karen Davila, ABS-CBN host-newscaster: The Inno Sotto show was stunning. From theatrics, choreography, lighting, music and color, to pacing. But what floored me most was the silhouette. What sets him apart from other designers is that he has perfected the sophisticated line and silhouette. He is our very own Halston, Balmain, and Balenciaga.

Korina Sanchez, ABS-CBN host-newscaster: After 30 years, Inno Sotto the designer has certifiably found what his creations mean and what they are to women. Inno the human being is as much showcased as someone who has evolved and arrived, but believes his journey is far from over.

Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, president, Summit Publishing Co.: Inno’s career was summed up in a few minutes of eye candy. The clothes, the models, the stage, the short film all came together to make a unified whole.

 Kaye Tinga: Inno Sotto just keeps getting better.

Chary Aboitiz: Inno, I am at a loss for words. Thirty years is definitely a milestone that is hard to match.

Emerson Yao, mananging director, Lucerne Group of Companies: Inno Sotto has shown us once again that he is the Philippine fashion icon. Inno is innovative, creative, and a market leader, just like the Omega Watch brand. The show was excellent and Lucerne is proud to be a part of it.

Garlic Garcia, ABS-CBN line producer: Inno is a genius. He showed everyone why he is truly fashion’s best.

Maurice Arcache, Philippine Tatler society editor: Darling Inno, wow, you took my breath away. I was in tears. You blew everyone off their socks.

Babette Aquino-Benoit: Shows like this will elevate the Philippines to a world-class fashion center. Such timeless designs. The epitome of elegance.

Amalie Azanza: It was a lush celebration of Inno’s art. I hope Inno never loses his Muse.

Sari Yap, president, Mega Publishing and editor in chief, Mega Magazine: Inno’s show was an equal mix of theater and fashion. From where I was seated, it was a visual treat which left me wanting to see the clothes up close. Inno’s silhouette has remained constant the past few years, but his use of color in his gowns to achieve maximum stage drama in the last act was exceptional.

 Myrza Sison, editorial director, Summit Publishing, and editor in chief, Spot.ph and Femalenetwork: The show was one of the most stirring fashion spectacles ever. Pure theater and yet pure fashion in the truest sense of the word.

Pauline Suaco, editor in chief, Preview:  Inno was in his element with the evening wear. I love that he was not being literal with his inspiration— India. He brought out the richness of the subcontinent through the jewel tones. The thigh-high slits were a sexy touch, a marked contrast to the Infanta collection of his last gala.

Raul Manzano, editor, Metro Society: What a fabulous show — from the film to the clothes to the A-list crowd. I am privileged to have taken the journey with Inno.

Eva Gullas, Zee Lifestyle Cebu publisher: The neon colors with yards and yards of drapery were a master stroke. And the simplicity said it all.