Never lost in translation
MANILA, Philippines - I have known Inno practically all my life, and I am continually impressed by his sheer genius.
My love affair with him started in sixth grade, where, for our grade school dance, he made me a black “Sabrina” neck with a tiny waist that flared into a graceful, flowing, knee-length, totally age-appropriate skirt, topped with a huge fuchsia bow at the back. I felt like a princess and from that moment on I swore that all my allowance and whatever money I could wheedle from my gift-givers would all go to my “Inno” fund.
From then it was high school proms, graduations, fashion shows, friend’s weddings, my wedding, more weddings, more balls and it was always Inno, Inno, Inno. Only this time it was more skin and less fabric! I have worn the most architecturally-structured, how-on-earth does it stay on peek-a-boo creations of his, where people would be coming up to me saying, “Wow, what an amazing gown! But only you could wear something like that.”
See, that’s the thing, it was never me. It was and always will be 100 percent Inno. Only he could turn the mundane and predictable into an otherworldly creation. The thing about Inno is that while the designs are all his, you’re never lost in the translation. Each client’s unique sense of style and beauty always shines through. I am constantly in awe of the creations he comes up with, each collection so different from the last. It is so amazing that all of these ideas come from a single person. And I truly look forward to seeing what’s next on the agenda.
Inno is a dear and beloved friend. He is so generous and supportive, extremely fun, kooky and crazy that I sometimes forget who’s older! And in the two decades that I’ve known him, he has always been there for me. That, unlike his designs, has never changed. I love you, Inno, here’s to the next 10 decades!
