MANILA, Philippines - Filipino fashion designer Michael Cinco is set to astound Manila as he takes center stage in this year’s Red Cross Fashion Gala slated for Oct. 16 at 7 p.m., at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La.
The show is organized by fashion personality Tessa Prieto-Valdes and philanthropist Kaye Tinga for the benefit of the Philippine National Red Cross-Rizal Chapter and the Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation.
For his comeback show, Dubai-based Cinco will present his luxuriously glamorous looks that have wowed elite families from the Gulf and Arab royalties in the Middle East, Europe and the US. His designs highlight precision, modernity and seamless quality.
Cinco studied Fine Arts but later pursued fashion design training at Slim’s Fashion and Arts School. He took apprenticeship with designers in the Philippines before deciding to move to Dubai in 1997, seeing the Middle East’s promise as a good market for haute couture.
Cinco’s dreamy, elegant pieces characterized by masterful techniques were quickly embraced by Dubai’s fashionable women, helping him establish a name in the Arab fashion arena. He then decided to hone his craft even more by taking special fashion courses in Central Saint Martin’s School of Art and Design in London in 2002. Armed with fresher ideas, he went back to Dubai after a year to open his own couture house, which soon specialized in wedding gowns and evening dresses.
Cinco’s designs soon took over the catwalks of international fashion events, his first foray being top crystal brand Swarovski’s 7even event. He also wowed audiences in Dubai Fashion Week, Miami Fashion Week and Swarovski shows. His creations have been worn by some of the world’s top celebrities, such as British pop music singer Lily Allen and socialite Paris Hilton for the cover of Harper’s Bazaar. Most recently, he made Filipinos proud when his eco-couture creations were featured in the latest season of America’s Next Top Model, where even the show’s judges and notable fashion figures Tyra Banks, Nigel Barker and Andre Leon Talley were wowed by his incredible talent and creativity.
Cinco won a People’s Choice Award in Dubai Fashion Week 2010 and was chosen as one of the 2010 top fashion movers in Dubai in Ahlan Hot 100. He was also nominated as Best Designer in Grazia Style Awards 2011 and was also shortlisted as Breakthrough Designer in the prestigious WGSN Global Fashion Awards to be held in October at Gotham Hall in New York. He was chosen to represent the Philippines in World Fashion Week to be held in New York in November.
For inquiries and ticket reservations, call Maggie Gineta at 0917-8325570.