THE SUITE LIFE
THE RED CHARITY GALA combines the thrill of the highly anticipated auction and the magic of a magnificent fashion show in one incredible evening
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Inside the Red Charity Gala—the auction, the fashion show, and the people who made it truly unforgettable
Celebrating a decade and beyond of great work, this year’s charity fashion event was a night to remember with its premier live auction and sensational runway shows of acclaimed designers. After 10 successful charity fashion events, it was only befitting that the Red Charity Gala gathered 10 esteemed designers of the past galas for this year’s affair. Influential people and honored guests flocked to Shangri-La Fort’s Grand Ballroom to witness the festivities of the night. From the premier live auction to the enthralling fashion show, this year’s gala was historical and unforgettable.
At cocktails, guests had their photos taken at the enchanting Lifestyle Asia booth of gold brought to life by Gideon Hermosa. Golden walls, an assemblage of clear candelabras, and rustic leaves made up the captivating vignette, allowing the guests to bask in a luxurious set-up. Others opted for the immaculate white booth of Moss Manila and Cindy Fernandez filled with lush white blooms and flanked by past works of the featured designers.
When the night’s affairs began, guests caught a glimpse of Lifestyle Asia’s muses for the upcoming November edition of the
magazine. The 10 highly-acclaimed designers dressed the muses in their finest creations, stunning everyone with their creativity and signature style. From the opening acts alone, guests knew they were about to witness different spectacles throughout the night.
THE EVENING’S BIG WINNERS
Charity is the core purpose Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Kaye Tinga had in mind when they first mounted the Red Charity Gala. Through a fashion show and an auction, the annual ball raises funds for its beneficiaries like the Philippine National Red Cross and Assumption High School Batch ’81 Foundation. This year’s live auction at ShangriLa Fort was no different from the past—where guests heightened their anticipation upon learning about the extravagant items to bid for. Drawing top interest, the auction’s total proceeds amounted to millions, a sign of a successful charity event.
In keeping with tradition, the auctioneers, Tim Yap and Tessa Prieto-Valdes, walked down the stage in high spirits, ready to announce the night’s items. The highest bidding went to Mel Aguilar who bought a Jewelmer necklace made of delicate champagne pearls. The bidding began at ₱350,000. The stakes went high when Tessa
and Tim revealed the necklace’s value was $10,000 last year, but increased to $15,000 this year, making it a highly sought after piece of jewelry. After a couple of moments of anticipation, the necklace was sold for ₱1.3 million. Half of the proceeds will go to Save Palawan Seas Foundation (SPSF), Jewelmer’s official partner organization in providing sustainable livelihood practices for communities.
Among the other auctioned jewelry was the limited edition Modern Muse of Heart Ongpauco-Escudero.
Taking inspiration from the character of a modern woman, Heart partnered with Royal Gem to create a one-of-akind collection featuring the style icon’s artworks. Heart personally signed the pieces and was sold for ₱200,000 together with a two-night stay at The Bellevue properties.
Apart from jewelry, the live auction presented trips and accommodations to most visited places like Hokkaido and Africa. A2A Safaris offered a total of nine nights to stay in South Africa. Initially valued at ₱620,000, the trip was sold for a total of ₱1.2 million. Among the vacation trips was a two-night stay in the Deluxe Garden Lodge of Delaire Graff. Located in Stellenbosch, the lodge allows you to unwind amidst the private wilderness sanctuary.
Another much-coveted item was the seven-night stay for six in Foxwood of Hokkaido, which Butch Albert bought for
₱640,000. He and his family or friends will certainly enjoy their vacation as the trip is scheduled from December 2019 to February of next year, the peak season for winter. During this time, they can ski or snowboard along with the powdery white expansive range of Niseko. The Foxwood Chalet also has a golf course, a BBQ pit, and an open-plan kitchen for those who prefer to stay warm from the numbing cold of outdoors.
FASHION WITH A PURPOSE
The most-awaited fashion show satiated the appetite of the guests for sensational style creations. Dennis Lustico, Furne One, Michael Cinco, Cary Santiago, Ezra Santos, Jojie Lloren, Lesley Mobo, Chito Vijandre, Joey Samson, and Rajo Laurel brought their unforgettable pieces to the catwalk. It seemed time came to a standstill at the beginning of each show and yet it ended with a roar of applause. From complex embroidery and mixing of patterns and fabrics to the dramatic silhouettes and designs, each collection was simply breathtaking. With their points-of-view and personal stories linked with their design aesthetic, it truly was a show of all shows. This year’s runway shows will definitely be the talk among society’s mavens and style enthusiasts for long. Imagine having the best of Filipino fashion at one point of convergence? There is no other way to describe it but surreal.
The gala ended with all ten designers walking down the runway, joined by the Red Charity Gala’s co-chairs Kaye Tinga and Tessa Prieto-Valdes, extending thanks for the support. Even with the night’s festivities winding down to a calm settle, the legacy of the biggest charity fashion event remains and continues, bringing with it an air of anticipation for next year’s iteration.