Candlelit drama and music at Gucci

MANILA, Philippines - On a recent Friday night, a candlelit path led to the recently-renovated Gucci store at Greenbelt 4. Black-clad PR and production people, in short figure-hugging sheaths and high heels, manned the door, permitting only a few exclusive names inside.

Celebrating the store’s recent facelift were SSI head honcho Anton Huang and his wife, Nina, looking sharp and chic in a deceptively simple frock.

In the crowd, a glittering mix of socialites and celebs — “friends of Gucci” — mingled with Gucci folks, who flew in for the party from all over Asia.

There was Heart Evangelista, skinny in a shimmery minidress chatting with Inno Sotto. The recently-wed Steph Kienle — now Gonzalez — with husband Chris hung out with her parents, while Raymond Gutierrez was flanked by Solenn Heusaff and Isabelle Daza.

Gucci Group Asia Pacific president William Yoon, Gucci Group Asia Pacific CEO Mimi Tang, SSI EVP Anton Huang, Gucci Group Worldwide Travel Retail director Terry Ong and Gucci Asia Pacific VMD director Sebastian Tan.

Mimi Tang, a stylish lady with a closely-shorn ’do and high, high cheekbones, is CEO of Gucci Group Asia Pacific. She was toting a sleek black structured purse with a bamboo handle. “It’s about 10 years old but people always ask if it’s new.”

After a few hors d’oeuvres and champagne, everyone was ushered to the nearby Sala Bistro, decked out with bronze panels to mimic the golden, sun-bronzed cast of the Gucci store. It was seductive lighting, slowly transitioning from hot reds to cool blues. It was a hot night, figuratively and otherwise.

For the evening, Gucci set the stage for music at Sala Bistro, featuring Robby Mananquil who performed soulful guitar solos lke Sting’s Every Breath You Take. Saxophonist Michael Young and percussionist Stefan Lowenstein also played.

Highlights also included Zia Quizon, a striking singer with a wonderful mellow tone. “Who’s that girl?” a lady nearby whispered the moment Zia took the stage. Soon as everyone realized the girl’s pedigree — “She’s Zsa Zsa Padilla’s daughter” — people nodded. “There’s no mistaking talent,” someone said.