Fashion icon Criselda Lontok celebrates 35

Esteemed designer Criselda Lontok is as beautiful as the clothes she makes. A top society model in her teenage years, she has continued living and breathing fashion with her own top-selling brand in the Rustan’s stores.

Finale in black and white: Rissa Trillo and Linda Ley

Golden belles: Marivic Vazquez and Izza Agana

Mentored by legendary retail visionary Glecy Tantoco who encouraged her to present designs that can be appreciated and worn by women of all shapes — from petite to plus sizes — the fashion designer looks back and reminisces, “The most precious lesson I learned all these years as a designer is that style and comfort should never be a paradox but a fusion. Customer satisfaction should be first and foremost, together with the elegance and practicality of the designs.”  

Aqua cool: Stephanie Z. Crespi

Ramp drama: Tessa Valdes

The exclusive by-invitation-only show was recently presented before an elegant crowd at the Peninsula Manila with apparel that featured a contemporary twist for women of all ages as shown by her 19 fashion muses that included “echo boomers” Wendy Yuchengco, Natalia Peña and Patricia Prieto, golden belles Linda Ley and Mia Borromeo, to seniorellas Marivic Vasquez and Zelda Kienle.    

Symphony in red: Audrey Zubiri, Wendy Yuchengco, Natalia Jacinto, Tania F. Lichauco and Dina Tantoco

Black chic: Erica Reyes, Allana Montelibano, Mia Borromeo, Suyene Chi Sia

Acceding to Criselda’s request that I join her milestone celebration, it was a family affair with four members walking down the ramp — my millennial daughter Natalia, business executive stepdaughter Bea Jacinto and niece Dina Tantoco who is also Rustan’s Marketing/Communications head.

Jacquard gowns: Natalia Peña and Patricia Prieto

Mari Fernandez, Carla F. Lanuza and John Fernandez offer a bouquet to their mom Criselda.

The CL Holiday 2018 Collection is geared to the future and the next generation of women — young influential ladies who look up to their mothers as their own personal icons. The very same women who have followed and stayed true to Criselda’s style philosophy since the label was created 35 years ago for the beautiful, feminine and stylish woman. It will be available by first week of September at Rustan’s Makati, Shangri-La, Alabang, Gateway and Cebu.

Jewel colors: Frannie Jacinto and Zelda Kienle

Chartreuse chic: Bea Jacinto