A Hundred years of A House of Style

November 9 has, for as long as I can remember, been a red-letter day at R.T. Paras. No, make that a lilac day, for it is the birthday of Josefina "Inang" Gonzales, the grande dame behind the illustrious fashion house, and lilac was her color. For over half a century she dressed Manila’s stylish women, and then she dressed their daughters, and their granddaughters and–in a few families–the great-granddaughters too.

Such was the loyalty that her clients had, and it was a loyalty well-deserved. For Inang Gonzales personally fitted each and every dress, personally saw to how patterns were made and how materials were cut, and her discriminating eye spotted any seam that was even the minutest bit out of line, the slightest droop of hem and the bodice that was even a fraction of a millimeter too tight or too loose.

Through the years, the list of clients has grown to a formidable number, and last November 9 they braved the day-long downpour to honor the House of R.T. Paras on its centennial and to hail Inang Gonzales on what would have been her 90th birthday at a grand party at The NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio. Son Roy, who now heads R.T. Paras after 35 successful years as a designer in Paris’ fashion houses, calls it a "family reunion" rather than a fashion extravanganza, although everyone dressed to the nines–in Paras, of course–and there was a fashion parade and an exhibit of vintage gowns.

The story has often been told of how Lola Belta–Roberta Tablante Paras–started in Angeles, Pampanga in 1902, later opening a fashion shop and school on Rizal Avenue in downtown Manila; of how the mantle passed on to her daughter Inang following Lola Belta’s death in 1952; of the move in 1957 to the house on Quezon Avenue–Inang eventually painted it lilac–which to this day is the home of R.T. Paras. With unerring style the House of R.T. Paras dressed First Ladies (and both our country’s women Presidents) and grande dames, brides and debutantes, building a reputation that was as impeccable as the clothes it made.

Despite the growing popularity and ready availability of off-the-rack clothes and bridge line designer clothing, the 15 kostureras at R.T. Paras have their hands–and sewing machines–full. Now heading the venerable house is balik-designer Roy, who dutifully and lovingly came home in 1998 to "take care of Mama" and to continue the tradition of fashion excellence at Paras. He does the designing and fitting, assisted by cousin Clarita Paras and a staff that is as loyal as their clientele. With a profound respect for all that his grandmother and mother have built, Roy is committed to continue dressing the women of Manila–and for generations to come–in the style that is distinctly R.T. Paras.