How to become Inno Sotto's favorite model

You know who my favorite model is? It’s Joyce Oreña and you can quote me on that. She’s the top of the line, she does her homework and she’s so uncomplaining. I wish I had 20 Joyce Oreñas.” So said Inno Sotto in the Preview magazine feature, “Inno Unveiled” by Leah Puyat, sometime in the late ‘90s.

When I Met Inno

Wearing Inno’s tattoo collection in Patrick Rosas’ Images book

The year was 1989. I was literally a newbie in the industry. I had just started modeling after joining John Casablanca’s Elite Model Management Look of the Year contest. Inno was casting for his solo gala, “Numerals.” My then manager — and most-sought-after director at that time — Wanda Louwallien, gave explicit instructions for the go-see (a modeling term meaning audition): hair tied back neatly, wear a figure-hugging mini dress and high heels. In comes Inno, with his quiet confidence. You can feel the tension in the room. Each model was told to walk as if doing the runway. It was a baptism of fire. I was so nervous. I had never done it before. Thank goodness I was picked from the lot. After that, my first close encounter with Inno was at his atelier in Malate for measurements and eventually fittings. It was as it should be — formal and professional. Model stayed still, listened and followed instructions; model was and should always be a mannequin. As an adjective, “model” means ideal or perfect. I guess that is why models are called models. Ultimately, designers place their work in the hands of the models. Once she is on the runway, she’s in charge. It is her responsibility to show a designer’s creation at its best. I guess Inno saw this in me. For this, we shared a long professional relationship — practically my entire modeling career in Manila.

Pinoys In Paris

One of Inno’s Paris collections in the Fashion Asia book by Douglas Bullis published by Thames & Hudson

Fearless

Inno always required excellence. When he announced that he would present a show in Paris, but only models that would comply with his requirements could join, even the who’s who in modeling started to lose weight just to be included. Paris only belonged to those with a 24-inch waistline. He didn’t care even if you were a recognized model in Manila. Every model wanted to be part of it, so much so that one model even fainted due to a crash diet. Inno made cheesecloth patterns of each model included in the show. It meant no one could change measurements — not even a fourth of an inch or he would know! Inno’s Paris show was one of the most memorable experiences in my modeling career. It was about the Filipino at his or her best. His collection was well researched, very intuitive and highly creative while the Filipino models were international in standard. You could not be more proud.

In August 2004 Tatler Best Dressed List wearing a personal Inno design

Inno would always tell me that he would assign his more complicated designs to me. In one show, he gave me a chartreuse opera coat with appliqués. The color was bold and the design was unusual. He was pleasantly surprised when he got at least three clients who wanted it after the show. In Paris, one of the most applauded numbers was his tattoo collection, which I was part of. Stretch tool bodysuits were intricately beaded to look like tattoo work. At the same show, he made me wear a skirt with only huge ruffles discreetly covering my breasts and a fan on one hand. For his Champagne Room show at the Manila Hotel, “Made to Dream,” he gave me a sheer black tulle gown with only beads and feathers strategically placed to cover my personal parts. I didn’t realize how revealing it was until I saw a photograph of it. Although, I must say, it was done with taste, not vulgar at all. “Made to Dream” was another memorable show. It was intimate and personal. At the end, the audience and the models were moved by the entire experience. While at the Asian Design Show, he chose to open his collection with me. I was more than honored to model his creations; after all, the show also included the best mannequins in Asia. Mutual respect for each other’s craft sustained our relationship. Most highlights of my modeling career in Manila include Inno’s shows. They are unforgettable.

The Next 30 Years

Today he celebrates his 30th year in fashion with a major show. Too bad I will still be in Italy to open an art exhibit. I would always compare him to Karl Lagerfeld. Like him, he continues to be current. It is not easy to sustain a career, more so in the fashion industry, where change is the only constant. He is not afraid to venture on different things. He does not dwell in the past. After one show, he is already dreaming of the next. Now, as a spectator and no longer his model, I still see him creating for the next 30 or so years.