The Fashion Ball celebrates industry's best

MANILA, Philippines - It was a grand soiree that collected names from the fashion industry — from designers to photographers, stylists, hair designers and models — all dressed to the nines.

Picking up steam from its inception in 2011, the Philippine Fashion Ball has become an industry landmark, celebrating the best of fashion. Last Aug 24, the 2nd Philippine Fashion Ball gathered the biggest names in the fashion industry.

Global icons: Recognition Awardee Michael Carandang with presentor Ben Chan

Largely inspired by the Metropolitan Ball, also known as the Costume Institute Met Gala, and dubbed as the fashion equivalent of the Oscars — the Fashion Ball pays due homage to the movers and shakers of Philippine fashion.

“The Philippine Fashion Ball pays utmost respect to the individuals who have tremendously helped in redefining what Philippine fashion is all about. It is but apt that we give them the recognition for their years of hard work and passion. Look at us now, we are thriving and we are still in continuous pursuit to develop what we have,” says Robby Carmona of SAGA events.

Ace of style: Fashion Styling Awardee Liz Uy (in Paco Rabanne top and Rick Owens skirt) with presentor Georgina Wilson (in Alexander Wang dress and Agent Provocateur corset)

The Peninsula Hotel Manila in Makati City was the venue for this elegance and fun, preluded by glorious walks of the industry’s finest on a long, black carpet witnessing the alluring swoosh of ball gowns cascading from the venue’s entrance to the Rigodon Ballroom. Celebrities and fashion icons came in their black and white best.

The Fashion Ball aims to keep Philippine fashion thriving by celebrating venerable pioneers and inspiring new blood. As the main highlight of this glamorous gathering, special recognitions were given to fashion icons for their contributions to the industry.

Hosts were style guru Raymond Gutierrez, PMAP president Phoemela Baranda and eventologist Tim Yap who presented donations given to the Philippine National Red Cross from the event sponsors. O+ and Belvedere Best Dressed of the Night was given to Oliver Abrenica and Pauline Prieto and the O+ Stars of the Night to Miko Raval and Angel Jacob.

Amid a sea of vodka-filled glasses clanging to cheers, the party opened with strobe lights. The stalwarts of the industry gamely put their dancing shoes on and grooved to the mixes of DJ Mars Miranda.

Fashion Señoras: Myrza Sison (in Rhett Eala); Izza Gonzales (in Comme des Garcons); Patty Betita (in Pablo Cabahug); Gem Padilla (in Rhett Eala); and Lou Bunyi

This year’s awardees were Jose “Pitoy” Moreno, Ben Farrales, Aureo Alonzo, and Christian Espiritu (Award of Recognition to the Philippine Couture Association), Ogee Atos and Wanda Louwallien (for Fashion Direction), Loreto Popioco (for Fashion Illustration), Cesar Gaupo and Auggie Cordero (for Fashion Design), Randy Ortiz (for Menswear Design), Mich Dulce (for Accessory Design), Jonas Gaffud of Mercator and Jack De Mesa of Ideal People (for Model Management), Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales (for Modeling), Ronnie Salvacion, Raymund Isaac, Xander Angeles, and Mark Nicdao (for Photography), Juan Sarte III (for Makeup), Jing Monis, Celeste Tuviera and Alex Carbonell (for Hair Styling and Design), and Jenni Epperson, Liz Uy, Pam Quinones, Millet Arzaga, and Luis Espiritu (for Styling).

Several awards were given to Michael Carandang for his exemplary efforts to promote Filipino artistry in the international scene (America’s Next Top Model), and this year’s Industry Award to leading fashion magazines, Preview (Preview’s Emerging Fashion Talent Awards), Mega (Mega’s Young Designers Competition) and Metro (MetroWear) for their vision to nurture a new breed of Filipino talent. Capping the event was the Lifetime Achievement Award given to fashion institution SLIM’s, with Mark and Sandy Higgins receiving the award and drawing heartfelt applause from the audience.

The success of the night was made possible by the generous support of Belvedere, the world’s first super premium vodka, exciting the flock of fashion faithful with the finest concoctions of top-notch caliber and O+, the US-based producer of revolutionary technology and the purveyor of sleek, innovative and re-imagined technology.