A space for designers
Cinderella has been promoting local talent from the start and, even now, houses designer brands that cater to both the sartorial whims and budget dictates of the masses. There’s June which, with designer Jon Salcedo at the helm, creates gowns and cocktail ensembles that flit from merry to modern. The 20-year-old label Drezzee has also found a home in Cinderella. Best known for its evening gowns and a viable go-to during prom season, Drezzee by Cherrie Gonzalez-Cariaga has pieces for women of every age. Gowns and formal wear are provided by Verve and Rated E. Verve, created by former model Anne Torres-Bilchemeir, has done well with its jersey separates and wrap dresses while Rated E, at one time a stall holder in Greenhills, churns out chic and sexy class acts for the modern woman. For a bite of the eye candy offered by trendy apparel, check out Bado, which, surprisingly, started out as a T-shirt label before evolving into hip ready-to-wear. Practical urbanites will go for Beatrice and Sequel; both brands offer chic work separates and streamlined styles that don’t adhere to a particular timeline. Completing Cinderella’s boudoir intention, the store has reserved space for Santimo, a local intimate apparel brand that specializes in seamless underwear (that means no unsightly bumps sticking through your jersey dress).
Having just ended their designer competition, Cinderella is all set to once again launch fresh talent into the local fashion scene. Niño Angeles, the grand prize winner of the store’s Designer Competition ’08, Joanne Lesaca (second prize winner) and Eugene Oliva (third prize winner) now have the chance to sell their pieces in the store.
All these brands either started out with Cinderella or have stayed with the store throughout the years, still confident of the pull it brings in and its steady influence on the market. They all know the fairy tale goes and, as far as these consigners are concerned, there shouldn’t be any reason to doubt a happy ending.
