JC Buendia's 25th Anniversary Gala Show for Metro Society

He may have the humility and genius of Alber Elbaz, the boyish looks and design aesthetics of Narciso Rodriguez, and the impeccable tailoring and clean lines of Raf Simons, but JC Buendia has the bravura of these 3 great designers. I first met JC when he obliged to be part of Converse Glorietta 3 grand opening in 2005 which I handled, and together with Randy Ortiz, Vittorio Barba, Kate Torralba and Tonichi Nocom, they all came up with a pocket collection paired with Chuck Taylor. The group also designed their own Chucks, which were displayed for the store opening. And the times I bumped into JC, he has a ready smile and his aura is without any air, and this is for someone who has designed grand ternos and business suits for then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as well as suits for the former senator and now President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. And when he mentioned that Metro Society would be throwing a 25th Anniversary show on his behalf, I never knew that he had been designing for a quarter of a century. After many date changes as well as venue replacements, last August 27, JC Buendia’s show was held in the Grand Ballroom of Marriot Hotel in Resorts World Manila. The lobby leading to the ballroom was full of guests, quite excited to take their seats and see the show. It was like a movie date, as JC took inspiration from his favorite movies as well as TV series. Friends, clients and including former mentor Cesar Gaupo spoke about JC in a short video that opened the show. The 50-piece collection that JC presented that night spoke a lot about his design philosophy; excellent tailoring and classic silhouettes, ranging from evening dresses to ball gowns to men’s suits, JC did what was expected from him, a collection fit for a movie icon such as Audrey Hepburn (JC’s muse other than his own mom) and her leading man. The entire ballroom was agog as JC took his bow at the end of the show, he was onboard a bicycle and showed JC’s childlike attitude. Congratulations again JC and looking forward to your 50th year, may you make more beautiful clothes until 2037, we are all looking forward to another evening like your 25th Anniversary show.