Life is Dolce Ditta….. Celebrating 30 years of Eco Couture Fashion with a conscience

Opening your home to host a fashion show for a lauded designer is a very chic thing to do.  It has to be a very special event to make you want to open your private sanctuary to host such a milestone. The designer — Ditta Sandico — was also launching her new atelier (which is in her home), so a rebirth or coming full-circle of sorts was a good excuse to celebrate.  After all, 30 years in the fashion industry is no small feat (pardon the pun) for this petite designer, who has been promoting natural, organic, indigenous fabrics that are woven into stylish pieces that can be added to one’s wardrobe.

The fabric that is synonymous with Ditta’s name is banaca, a mix of banana and abaca fibers similar to piña or pineapple, unlike its earlier abaca counterpart that was very rough which was a good material for making ropes and footwear. Banaca is a fabric that is versatile as a mold or wrap, due to its pliability and soft sheen cast.  Ditta’s pieces are well known for these mold and wrap structures, because of her very haute couture architectural style. Each piece is therefore a true statement piece in one’s wardrobe.

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Two wraps are better than one! Modeled by Ava.

 

Stunning silver white and gray wrap against a simple black column.
Stunning silver white and gray wrap against a simple black column.

 

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The Lady in Red.

 

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Looking regal.

 

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Its easy being in green.

 

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Model Betchay Montserrat, formerly of Karilagan Modeling fame, in a black and yellow cropped bolero. She still has the X factor!

UMAP or Unified Makeup Artists of the Philippines was tapped to lend hair and makeup support to a team of 22 models, five of whom were professional models, and the rest were Ditta’s friends and clients who were as good as the pros when it came to the catwalk.  The show was directed by Raymund Villanueva, a good friend of Ditta who is a crack and a half.  Full of wit and biting humor, he gave us an idea of how the concept was to be laid out.  The ramp was the walkway to Ditta’s atelier against a clear backdrop of her shop, while the models inside posed and channeled their inner goddesses while waiting for their turn to come out.

 

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Hair pegs a la Lady Gaga in the American Horror Story show. Edgy meets Imelda Marcos classiness. Photo taken from Entertainment Weekly

 

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A modern Maria Callas. Photo taken from Entertainment Weekly

 

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Makeup pegs for the show. Top face chart was to be recreated on the friends and clients while the face chart below was reserved for the 5 pros. Severe, mesmerising and mysterious cat eyes to go with the sculptural pieces of Ditta. Face Charts courtesy of Lesley Lim of UMAP.

 

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#SquadGoals! UMAP Glam Squad from L-R: Guilly Valenzuela for hair, Lesley Lim, Sydney Dee, Maryann Obias, Myself and Pilita Guadines for Makeup.

 

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The calm before the storm. Another shot with Aiky Nar in front for hair

 

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Taken before they walked out on the ramp.

 

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Quick, one more shot please. Photo from Yi Domingo.

 

Cherie Mercado
As you can see, banaca can also be made into jewelry or accessories as modeled by Cherie Mercado, newscaster of ABC 5. Accessories were created by Thalia Javier. Photo from Yi Domingo.

 

Sculptural wraps and pieces ready to be worn and showcased
Best rack in town.

 

Inglot Makeup Sponsor
UMAP teamed up with Inglot Cosmetics to provide the cosmetics for the show. Photo from Sydney Dee, UMAP Member.

 

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I’m blushing. Deep bright colors mixed with neutral eyeshadows to complement the clothes. Let freedom ring. Photo from Sydney Dee.

 

Biore Skincare Products all packed and ready to go
Biore Skincare Products all packed and ready to go. Biore was also a sponsor with regards to makeup removal and maintenance. Inside the bag were cleansing pads, A bottle of Micellar water and a tube of sunscreen.

 

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Annie Rosario Maceda, a cousin of Ditta Sandico, was wearing a Maria Clara inspired outfit.

 

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With Riza Lim a yoga instructor. She can pass for an actress.

 

Yi Domingo
With another yoga and wellness advocate, Yi Domingo.

 

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Sandwiched between friends, Ito Lopa on the left and Betchay Montserrat on the right.

 

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Dwarfed by these beautiful ladies!

 

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Congratulations Ditta!

 

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Ditta’s posse! With gratitude.

 

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Happy faces and smiles. We did it!!! Yahoo!!!

 

As I wrote this, APEC 2015 was happening in Manila, and it is very fitting to say, we have shown the world that Filipinos are excellent hosts! We have shared our best business acumen, excellent world class talent in the fields of entertainment, culture, food and design.  In fashion, Ditta, you have done us proud, we are Pinoy Proud!  Wishing you more years of clothing wonder.

 

Inglot Cosmetics is available at Glorietta 5,  SM Megamall B.

Biore products are available at all leading Department Stores, and PCXchange.

Ditta Sandico is available at 5 Mabolo corner Balete Drive Quezon City.

UMAP or Unified MAkeup Artists of the Philippines can be reached at Facebook and Instagram, Umaphils.

 

 

 

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