Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco will present his next collection during the Paris Haute Couture Week on July 3. Cinco’s show will be presented by the Asian Couture Federation, of which he is a member.
The twice-annual couture week in Paris is organised by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture and features shows by hallowed fashion houses such as Christian Dior and Chanel, Givenchy, who are all members of the union.
“Paris is the centre of fashion and it’s the ultimate dream of every designer to show there. It has been mine since I started my career,” Cinco told Gulf News tabloid! “I can’t believe that the federation chose me for their first ever show in Paris. This is such a big honour for me.”
The Singapore-headquartered Asian Couture Federation, founded in 2012, is endorsed by the French union, and currently has 13 designers from across Asia as members. It was founded to help Asian designers showcase and develop their talents, and organises shows in Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. A show in Dubai is also being planned.
Cinco said his 30-piece show, in association with online store Couturissimo, will feature both couture and ready-to-wear collections, inspired by nature and butterflies.
“The butterfly is a flying flower. My collection will be a celebration of uncluttered beauty, of raw elegance and lightness of being,” he said. “It is for women who know their desires and ultimately gets them but still thrive on mystery. And it is timeless.”
The designer will share the Paris show with Indonesia’s Sebastian Gunawan.
“Right now I’m stressed. I need to get working,” Cinco added, laughing.
Cinco, who came to Dubai 19 years ago, established his Michael Cinco Couture in 2003, catering mostly to wealthy Arabs. He has since made his mark internationally, with his clothes being worn by Hollywood celebrities including Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. He’s also featured as guest designer in the long-running reality show America’s Next Top Model, hosted by Tyra Banks.
Cinco was honoured with the Phillipine Presidential Award in 2014, one of the country’s highest civilian awards, for his contribution to the arts.
