From Vogue Philippines September issue, Photograph by Sharif Hamza, Leby Le Moria dress
I was surprised when UK-based Filipino designer Lesley Mobo messaged me that I’d be going to the Vogue Philippines gala event on his behalf since he wouldn’t be able to fly back from London in time.
It was also the perfect opportunity, I must admit, to take out my old suits, long stored since the pandemic, waiting to see the light of day, quite literally. And that opportunity came along, though a part of me was a bit anxious because it had been a long time since I’d been to a high-profile event. Being told that only 80 guests had been invited didn’t really calm my nerves.
From Vogue Philippines September issue, photograph by Sharif Hamza, HA.MU dress
From Vogue Philippines September issue, photograph by Sharif Hamza, J’AMEMME dress
But with the arrival of Vogue Philippines, my curiosity got hold of me more, plus it was the day it would unveil the Vogue Philippine’s first cover—Filipino-American model Chloe Magno who traces her roots to Davao, shot by Sharif Hamza, a British-born half-Filipino, half-Egyptian photographer. Moving out of my shirt/shorts two-year cocoon, I grabbed the opportunity to go and just be a quiet observer.
The dinner went smoothly, with Markus Grindel, Condé Nast director of Media Licensing giving a short talk on how Arthur Turnure published the first edition of Vogue 130 years ago, then a couple of decades later Condé Montrose Nast bought the magazine. And it is said, Nast bought it on his first wife’s birthday. He asked his wife what she wanted on her birthday, his wife said, “Bring me a copy of Vogue.” He bought her the entire company instead. (In truth, Conde Nast’s background was in accounting, I read in one of the books on Vogue—was it Grace Mirabela or Si Newhouse?)
Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief Bea Valdes, before the unveiling of the maiden issue, said, “Through the content in Vogue Philippines and its platforms, we hope to showcase the Philippine fashion identity, by connecting us to the global community. It has always been at the crest of new aesthetics and mindsets, and we are thrilled to join the fold,” says Valdes.
“Vogue has the power to capture people with its optimism. The long wait is over, welcome to fashion’s new world. Welcome to Vogue Philippines.”
With the official remarks over, the lights went dim, the music of Philippine traditional instruments began to play, dancers holding up lamps emerged onstage and in the ballroom, ushering the guests to follow the floating lights to the next room. What followed was a walk-through of giant installations of Vogue Philippines’ pages, conceptualized partly by the country’s foremost scenographer and Filipino creative Gino Gonzales. Also in this room, the guests were served dessert and cocktails.
Inno Sotto and Vogue Philippines editor-in-chief Bea Valdes (Photo from Vogue Philippines)
Budji Layug, Jappy Gonzalez, Kenneth Cobonpue (Photo courtesy of Vogue Philippines)
We spotted familiar faces: Slims’ Mark Higgins, fashion design stalwarts Inno Sotto and Dennis Lustico, interior design luminary Jonathan Mati, showbiz’s royalty Dingdong Dantes and Mariel Rivera, celebrity doctor-couple Vicki Bello and Hayden Kho, Paris-based fashion design student Jude Macasinag.
Pia Wurtzbach (Photo courtesy of Vogue Philippines)
Near the dessert station was a little huddle of four beauty queens, other guests taking their photos: Miss Universe winners Catriona Gray and Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World 2013 Megan Young and Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza.
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Miss International 2016 Kylie Versoza (Photo by Luis Carlo San Juan)
As the guests clicked away, me included, one of the four beauties suddenly got wide-eyed and approached me, it was Pia. We hugged. It was an unexpected reunion of friends of many years, for we haven’t really hung out much since she won Miss Universe in 2015. But before that, we had done countless fashion shoots for Inquirer Lifestyle, with me styling her for events and even day-to-day casual wear. This very informal collaboration began in 2013 while she was still the Bb. Pilipinas first runner-up. Back then attending a Vogue event dressed to the nines wasn’t even a possibility.
The author with Pia Wurtzbach
As the DJ sounds kept up the energy, Pia and I tried to catch up, even broaching the idea of us doing shoots again like in the good old days. At that moment it was just Pia, not Miss Universe or celebrity, but just her. I asked what she was wearing, “Gucci,” she exclaimed humorously, for we both knew our struggles back then while I was helping her prepare for Bb. Pilipinas and eventually Miss Universe, when we had to take anything pageantry out of her wardrobe and inject in more fashion.
The 400-page September issue includes notable fashion stories such as a futuristic take on the terno by contemporary and cutting-edge Filipino designers, a feature on the next wave of emerging talent pushing the boundaries of fashion. Vogue Philippines intends to take its audiences on a journey of the new and nuanced meanings of beauty, style and luxury, and championing Filipino creativity in its multitude of forms, according to its press release.
Paris-based student designer Jude Macasinag (Photo by Luis Carlo San Juan)
Paris fashion design student Jude Macasinag said, “I’d expect to have more homegrown Filipino creatives on the spotlight. We’re already on a good start, but also while maintaining our relevance with the rest of the global industry and getting out of our ‘local’ bubble.”
Macasinag added that Vogue Philippines should have a perspective that does not rely on the past or heritage of the Philippines but looks onwards in terms of how fashion and fashion imagery can push the way we see things as Filipinos.
Editor-in-chief Bea Valdes said during the gala dinner, “Vogue remains the most powerful platform for fashion’s emerging talents and their diverse perspectives.”
Since Vogue is a strong global brand, people’s expectations are high, very high.
Vogue Philippines September issue, photograph by Sharif Hamza, Olivier Theyskens dress
VOGUE PHILIPPINES COVER. PHOTOGRAPH BY SHARIF HAMZA, MODEL: CHLOE MAGNO, DRESS BY RAJO LAUREL
Vogue Philippines September issue, photograph by Sharif Hamza, Louis Vuitton dress
Vogue Philippines is published under a license agreement between Condé Nast and MEGA Global Licensing. Inc. Condé Nast’s media licensing business publishes editions of the global media company’s iconic brands with local partners around the world.
