Afternoon fashion show at Casa Marcos

In the ‘50s, long before the influx of five-star hotels in Manila, fashion shows were held in classy restaurants, among them Casa Marcos and Botica Boie. The Sunday Times magazine covered such event held one afternoon at Casa Marcos, Spanish restaurant along Dewey (now Roxas) Boulevard.

From left: Joji Felix Velarde, Dee Marquez, Maite de Guisasola, Bambi Lammoglia and Edith Nakpil

There was then the lone five-star, The Manila Hotel, where fashion shows were occasionally mounted.

The Casa Marcos afternoon fashion shows featured the favored design of the season: basic sheath worn with varying shapes of overdress as interpreted by top designers and modeled by Manila’s socialites. There are no professional models in the ‘50s, unlike today when modeling is a career for ladies and gentlemen alike, some of whom have invaded the international scene.

Cynthia Sun

Sunday Times noted other designs of the year like cocoon, flounced tube, waisted chemise, trapeze, frou-frou, eased sheath and empire silhouette — all said to be heavily influenced by French designers.—RKC