Courtesy of Michael Cinco
Vogue Philippines gives you an exclusive look at Filipino designer Michael Cinco’s Switzerland shoot—a tribute to Impressionist master Claude Monet.
Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Naomi Campbell are among the A-list celebrities who have worn Michael Cinco’s designs. The Dubai-based designer has cemented his reputation as a distinguished couturier in the international fashion scene with his romantic, floor-grazing dresses. “I love feminine and whimsical designs that have intricate details,” Cinco tells Vogue Philippines. Throughout his collections, form-fitting silhouettes intermingle with lace and beaded features.
Every capsule tells its own story—inspired by art, opera music, and exotic cultures that are reflected in unique elements such as a dreamy color palette and floral embroidery. For example, Tchaikovksy’s Swan Lake is translated into icy, otherworldly fashion looks with gravity-defying ruffles and bead embellishments in Cinco’s Impalpable Dream of Swan Lake SS2019 collection. Meanwhile, the royal chapel Sainte-Chapelle (a fixture of French Gothic architecture) inspires an entire capsule titled The Impalpable Dream of Saint-Chapelle with garments reminiscent of its 13th-century stained glass kaleidoscope.
Where fearlessly sheer material and elegant ruffles meet, Cinco creates layers of diaphanous drama with his ornate pieces. Classic yet statement-making, his collections are a reflection of his own personality. Wearing ’60s mod shades or boxy new age aviators paired with his signature head-to-toe black ensemble, Cinco’s aesthetic is undeniably distinct. Cinco says, “Most of my design sense reflects my personality, character, mood and style.” With precisely-tailored couture pieces, every garment is a celebration of Filipino craftsmanship and artistry. Cinco mentions, “I always include some Filipino elements in most of my designs” with samples made by “talented Filipino artisans who are very passionate about their work.”
The Dubai-based designer gives Vogue Philippines an exclusive look at his recent NYFW ready-to-wear line “The Impalpable Dream of Monet” shot in the picturesque village in Iseltwald, Switzerland. He explains, “This is my first time launching a diffusion line for my own brand. I wanted to show dreamy dresses that fuse the perfect balance of chic and comfort—including day and night wear curated from the same Michael Cinco design aesthetics and DNA of the brand.”
Artful dresses imitate Claude Monet’s Impressionist paintings in Cinco’s latest offering with a vibrant brightness amplified by warm blues, effervescent greens, pale lavenders, and rich pink tones. He continues, “[This collection is] inspired by the colors and hues of the paintings of Monet’s impressionism—[paintings] that are mostly focused on textures, light and brushstrokes.” Cinco uses garments as a canvas with painterly textures and botanical prints. An homage to the Impressionist master’s floral compositions, every piece crafted by Cinco invites you to Monet’s garden in Giverny (with soft tailoring and an abundance of ruffles in tow).
When asked about who he envisions wearing this collection, Cinco responds, “I envision women wearing my flowing chiffon and soft organzas, while having cocktails by the yacht. [I can see them] wearing feminine flirty dresses, while visiting museums and going to lunch with [their] friends.” With the Filipino designer putting his own spin on formal attire, Cinco dresses a generation of “young, feminine, and independent women” who aren’t afraid to push sartorial boundaries. What story is Cinco telling in these exclusive images? Fashion is a form of escapism—a dream realized through art.
