Swan Style: Cinco designs for Ballet Philippines gala

FASHION and dance both serve the same purpose: to glorify the human body and display it at its zenith. Keeping in mind this goal, Ballet Philippines, for its 50th anniversary gala on Sept. 29, will feature a 50-piece couture collection in a fashion show from renowned Filipino designer Michael Cinco alongside a new dance by Alden Lugnasin, inspired by the Swan Lake ballet. The show will be held at the Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom.

The idea came when Michael Cinco met Cultural Center of the Philippines chair and former Ballet Philippines president (and former Miss Universe) Margie Moran Floirendo in Paris. Ms. Floirendo then asked Mr. Cinco to do a collection for the upcoming gala, and Mr. Cinco obliged.

Mr. Cinco is known to have dressed various international celebrities, among them Beyoncé. The collection will be inspired by Swan Lake, with Mr. Cinco saying, “I think it’s one of the most beautiful ballets I have ever seen.” Mr. Cinco will also design the costumes for the production.

Another one of the dresses.

The collection was shown in a preview at the Marriott last week, and BusinessWorld saw intricate beading taking the forms of swan feathers on intricate gowns with full trains. Another favorite was a pastel-hued number with a resemblance to a ballerina’s costume, with sleeves arching outward as if a swan preparing to take flight. The collection will be brought from Dubai (where Mr. Cinco is based), and Mr. Cinco was proud to say that the collection was executed by Filipinos living in Dubai.

Ms. Floirendo and Alice Reyes, National Artist for Dance and Artistic Director of Ballet Philippines both shared their thoughts of the same goal of dance and fashion.

“Of all the designers I’ve met, the detail that he does is the same as the detail in dance,” said Ms. Floirendo. “Fashion is an art.”

Ms. Reyes, meanwhile, said, “There is a perfect harmony in partnership between fashion and dance.”

“It’s the magic of theater. And then there’s the reach for perfection. Michael’s works reach for perfection; Ballet Philippines reaches for perfection.” — Joseph L. Garcia