My Sabrina Moment...

The annual T. Ball took place last night as 400 men and women trooped to the Makati Shangri-la's ballroom in their black tie and long gown finery, claiming their rightful identity as our society's movers and shakers, positioning themselves as Manila's elite, upholding their rights to be in the social register THIS year. Champagne poured endlessly, skirts with long long trains rustled, men in their tux looked extra handsome, paparazzi lit the place with the endless flashing of bulbs, as jewelry outshone all the planets put together and people jostled infront of Dindo and Mon for the ubiquitous 'photo ops'. Ah, such is Manila during what is arguably the grandest, most elegant, most exclusive event of the year..

ANYWAY, where was I in all this? Once again, because of the company I represent and the work that I do, this hired hand had the chance to get a glimpse of that heady perfumed world.. and for the evening decided to channel - hmmm - no not Kiera - that was two weeks ago at the Town and Country Launch... this time let's think Sabrina Fairchild circa 1954 played by Audrey Hepburn. Yes!! It was indeed a Sabrina moment for me because of my supposed 'metamorphosis' via Marden I's book leaf gown AND his very strict styling guidelines (ok, he even had to approve the perfume I wore). However stubborn moi didn't completely obey him because : 1) I refused to wear the black gloves that would have completed the look. 2) I refused to do 'upper and lower' for my false eyelashes. I only did 'upper'. 3) I refused to have the hair stylist do the Taras Bulba look on me. Instead I insisted on my Julia-Roberts- when-she- won-the-Oscars look: clean side part, hair up, with poof at the back, retro style.
My gown had 148 pieces of black organdy book leaves individually cut and sewn to surround the lower body, and generous sprinkles of black and red spangles attached to a red, very tight, lurex tulle bodice. The organdy book leaves swayed with each swing of the hips, so I did a lot of hip swinging that night and almost toppled a waiter in the process.

And so last night I lived in my own little Sabrina world with my own Bogarts and Holdens, having a ball at the Tatler Ball!


Here I am. Marden's 148-piece book leaf gown with me inside... The individual leaves aren't obvious here but believe me they were there, pa-sway sway as I walked. Just like palm tree leaves. kakaiba.

And OF COURSE I had my own Bogart/Holden! One mustn't forget that all important accessory walking by your side when you enter a ball of T proportions. It completed the look!