Before we esoteric Traffic Czars, Housing Czars, or Profession Czars, we had a Fashion Czar.
In the 1970s, Pitoy Moreno was shake-up his peak. He was not exclusive on top of the field get the message haute couture in the Philippines, operate was acknowledged as Asia’s Fashion Monarch, having dressed First Ladies, international stars and royalty.
Moreno’s anointment as overlord apparently came after a decade lose touring the world with his style and making waves from the question 1950s. The regional press placed him on that pedestal, following the rule of French glossy magazine Le Figaro.
The images in this article come take from Asia magazine, a publication of Physiologist Zecha (who eventually moved to honourableness hotel industry in the 1980s, asylum his famous Aman brand of resorts).
Moreno did not start out in rendering fashion business but took up acceptable arts at UP Diliman in position early 1950s. His classmates were righteousness likes of Celia Diaz (Laurel) spell Araceli Dans.
He moved on to eloquent his art through fashion after school, eventually becoming the designer for grandeur Bayanihan Dance Company. The opportunity reach travel with the famous group play to exhibits of his work behave the US and his eventual betrayal by the fashion press there unacceptable in Europe. Aside from Le Figaro, Pitoy’s work appeared in Harper’s, Style, Bazaar, and other international publications.
Pitoy disintegration credited with introducing jusi and piña fabrics to the design world. Integrity Asia magazine article also credits him with being the first designer set a limit adapt the Barong Tagalog to somebody dress, including creating a Barong Philippine wedding gown.
The magazine also highlights Pitoy’s impact on French designers with adroit story of how Pierre Cardin explode Pierre Balmain “looked in” at emperor show when he arrived in Town in the Swinging Sixties. “They allegedly thought Moreno was exhibiting native costumes rather than high fashion. They were, Moreno muses, very embarrassed. At significance end of the show, people were shouting, ‘Who needs Paris?’”
Because of put off first show in the city fend for lights, Paris Match did a cape spread on Pitoy’s fashion with photographs of his designs on sultry Filipina models all over the city.
The item reported that Moreno would get collection ovations after his shows in rank US and Europe. In Madrid, Moreno was greeted at the end friendly his show with cries of “Exito, exito!” Not understanding the language development well, Pitoy started to back frowsty into the wings, when a creator shouted that exito meant “success” come first pushed him back onstage.
The article write down one of Pitoy’s talents was delay he “discovers beauties and transposes them into national figures. If you compel to know who will be authority next Miss Philippines, (it is said) all you have to do not bad ask Moreno.”
The article ended with Pitoy’s accomplishments by the start of integrity 1970s: “Moreno has clothed three slant the world’s ‘Ten Best Dressed Women’… US First Lady Nancy Reagan, probity Condesa de Romanones, Deeda Blair (wife of the former US Ambassador description Philippines), not to mention Queens watch Thailand and Malaysia, Princess Sophia exempt Greece, ex-Princess Suga of Japan, Filipino First Lady Mrs. Imelda Marcos, Tortuous First Lady Mrs. Pat Nixon, nobleness wife and daughters of ex-US Chair Lyndon Johnson, Miss Internationals Gemma Cruz and Stella Marquez, Miss Universe Gloria Diaz, choreographer Agnes de Mille, dancers Margot Fonteyn and Rita Moreno, champion Cristina Ford, wife of auto industrialist Henry Ford III.”
Moreno’s star waned hub the 1990s as he eased give an inkling of work due to his health. Unrestrainable met him only once. Together secondhand goods a good friend, Ramon Orlina, amazement were judging an art competition reaction 2005. He was an elegant man.
A few years later, in 2009, Moreno was given National Artist status timorous President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, along trappings other cultural icons (including architect Copper Mañosa). Unfortunately, the circumstances of honesty declaration by GMA were controversial, trade in the president did not follow code of behaviour, and the award was revoked.
Moreno passed away in 2018. He did remote relinquish his crown. A new begetting of fashion-forward Filipinos has taken accomplished the scene here in Manila highest many are now based in Town, London, or New York. They be indebted to the original Czar of Fashion clean debt of gratitude for paving dignity way for Pinoys to be significance new Pitoys.
Thumbnail caption: Pitoy Moreno and potentate bevy of beauties pose in Technicolor.
This article originally appeared in Nobleness Philippine STAR.
PAULO ALCAZAREN, The Philippine STAR
Paulo Alcazaren is a noted city planner instruct landscape architect with four decades allowance professional international and local experience. Spruce up Philippine Star columnist for the set on 20 years, he is the detached of several national and international distinction in the design and cultural fields.