Cary Santiago on gathering inspiration, promoting 'terno'

WORLD-renowned fashion designer and Cebu’s very own Cary Santiago, exhibited his designs at the Mountain Wing Atrium of SM Seaside City Cebu last Aug. 8. The exhibit called “The Aviary: the Work of a Master,” highlighted the fuchsia head-turner “The Phoenix Gown.” This was worn by Miss Universe Philippines 2019 Gazini Ganados during the Binibining Pilipinas 2019 competition, and earned her the special award “Best in Long Gown.”

The exhibit is inspired by Cary’s fashion career and with it, his fascination with anything that flies, most especially winged creatures. Voluminous and rich in details through fabric manipulation, these are just some of the elements that makes a Cary Santiago gown distinctive.

As a designer, he shared his variable approach when coming up with a design, sharing that his designs lean more on his fascination with history, arts and culture.

“I think you have to have the inspiration. For example, when I have a fashion show, I go abroad or go to places where I can get my inspiration. The process is the inspiration, and then you draw it because you want to remember what was in your mind,” Cary shared.

“As a fashion designer, as an artist, your mind quickly shifts. So you have to sketch it so you will remember the idea you had for this specific one. In my case, because I was trained abroad, we built everything on the mannequin. The mannequin becomes the canvas. So when you drape the mannequin, it’s like you’re painting,” he described.

The formal and special occasion designer also appreciates the beauty in discovering something by accident as it gives room for more possibilities.

“Sometimes, there’s a piece of fabric you see on the floor and then you include it. You continue.”

The exhibit also showcases his passion and admiration for the Philippine terno. In fact, most of the pieces displayed were showcased during TernoCon 2018, headed by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and Bench team, in an effort to preserve the national dress and encourage its usage; something that Cary is passionate about, being one of the mentors.

“I think we lost that sensibility, national pride and the passion for wearing terno. This is our effort for a lot of people to bring it back and for the young ones and millennials to know and patronize the wearing of the Philippine terno,” he shared, adding that exhibiting his designs is also his way of inspiring young designers.

“My advocacy now is to be part of the effort of Ben Chan and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, for all of us—if it’s possible for us—to wear our national dress in all of our special occasions.”

“The Aviary: the Work of a Master” exhibit at SM Seaside City Cebu will run until Aug. 26.