Diary of a dress

MANILA, Philippines - Every woman’s closet has that one memorable piece with a history behind it. That’s the thing about clothes — we see them and we recall important times in our lives — happy days, drunken ones, and even embarrassing moments. Although each dress has a story to tell, there’s always that one item that stands out. We asked eight women to share their favorite personal story and that one dress that witnessed it all. 

“I wore this dress in the late ’90s. I remember I had to buy a dress to wear to a formal event I was attending with my boyfriend at that time. The goal was to pull off a “Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.” I so admired her style -- simple, clean lines but superbly tailored. At that time, Baghera, a line by Carla Sibal, was all the rage. When I entered the store, I knew right away that a delicate halter neck with a modest front slit would be the perfect choice. I also made sure to score what a magazine revealed was Carolyn’s fave creamy highlighter from Face Stockholm. I believe the shade was called Dignity. Suffice to say, the dress paired with the pearlescent highlighter on my lids were a hit with friends but, more importantly, with my date that night, Andy, who eventually became my husband. We celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary last March.”— Agoo Bengzon

“I turned 20 in London that summer. I was working at Stella McCartney, but had no conception yet of what kind of professional life I wanted or what kind of life I generally wanted. But I did know, one Tuesday evening, that I wanted a massage and that I didn’t care if I had to pay a king’s ransom to get it. Just 30 minutes, I told myself, maybe a head massage for 15. On the way, I happened upon a vintage store just outside the Notting Hill tube stop. I meandered about the racks of musty clothing, each piece exhaling decades of desuetude. Then, I saw the most bongga ’70s denim floor-length halter dress I have ever seen. It was backless and had a stiff collar that you couldn’t un-pop if you tried. It fit me like a glove, and I immediately took it home and chopped off as much of the skirt as propriety would allow. I forgot about the massage entirely, and can still be found wearing my ’70s denim on late nights everywhere — from Beijing to Manila. See you there.” — Nicole Cu-Unjieng, PhD student, Yale University

“I wore this Adidas Slvr dress on my fiancé’s graduation from Wharton Business School last year, also known as the ‘Worst Hair Day of My Life.’ Feeling experimental that morning, I tried my very unskilled hand at using this new curling iron that I had bought the day before and left the bathroom looking like I accidentally electrocuted myself. Needless to say, the dress saved the day and I definitely needed that graduation cap more than he did.”— Yessa Yu, entrepreneur

“I wore this dress at my very first SONA in 2010, which requested women to come in a Filipiniana dress. I’ve always had difficulty finding the right Filipiniana look for me that will reflect our heritage and at the same time my personal style. I knew it would take some thinking. Then I remembered a dress I had seen a few months before. Ironically, a dress I saw worn by Barbie, yes Barbie, as in the doll, at a special auction for the benefit of Ballet Philippines. When I saw who made it, I called up Pepito Albert the following day and told him how I loved the dress he made, and in the future maybe he can make one for me.  And true enough, the future came sooner than later, and the real thing was far more beautiful than the doll version, sorry Barbie. This dress remains one of my most favorite dresses of all time.”— Kaye Tinga, W17

“This is a Prada dress bought for me by my boyfriend at that time. I was 20 and it was my first time to buy a designer dress. I felt like Julia Robert in Pretty Woman when Richard Gere bought her a dress. Kilig! I wore it to an Irish wedding in a castle. I remember being pretty cold because the dress was lingerie-like. Of course, I’ve always believed in tiis ganda. Until now, I still adore this dress. What I would give to still fit in this size 0 beauty.”                                                     - Charina Sarte, Designer

“This sparkly dress by Rhett Eala is a sure winner. It’s one of his signature styles that I don’t mind wearing over and over again. Each time I wear it is memorable and makes me feel Oscar-worthy!”— Amina Aranaz, businesswoman

“This Alexander McQueen piece (until now I’m not sure whether it was designed as a dress or a top — its left side just covers my behind) and I have had some terrible and fantastic times. I first wore it during Preview’s McQueen-themed Best Dressed Ball in 2010, and I styled it so horribly, it was quite embarrassing; I wore it belted, with tights, and heels that I hadn’t yet broken in (I was chasing interviews that night and in the middle of the party, I had to have a pair of booties brought up to Republiq as my feet had started to bleed). I’ve since worn it countless times to various dinners and on nights out in other countries, and it hasn’t failed to give me a good time, though I wear it only on its own now, as I believe it ought to be. With the low neckline and high, uneven hem, it teeters on scandalous, but the long sleeves and forgiving draping assure that I’m not too...well, naked.”— Jae Pickrell, Preview magazine

“This pure silk hand-painted caftan in electric blue which I bought in a souvenir shop in Singapore about a decade ago for about $20. When I travel, I like buying my would-be fashion pieces in the most random places. This is the only dress I’ve worn to a major event and milestone in my life which I wasn’t photographed in. I wore this to the MTV Style Awards, where I was nominated as Makeup Artist of The Year. I remember getting the call from MTV and I thought at first I was getting punked as they broke the news I was short-listed as one of the nominees. Two weeks later I got the official letter in the mail, announcing my nomination alongside more established makeup artists I look up to in the industry. One month later, I’m in this caftan dress (which I wore with a vintage gold skinny belt and delicate strappy heels) walking down the red carpet of what would be my first ever awards night. I didn’t win but I remember being happy just to be there.” — Xeng Zulueta, makeup artist