BOLD AND BRAZEN
DENNIS LUSTICO is a man with a spirit for adventure, a genuine passion for fashion, and an unquestionable heart for service.
A man whose fashion knows the perfect balance of elegance and restraint, Dennis Lustico is a name that Manila’s best and brightest know and wear. A highly coveted designer, Dennis has exhibited his finest collections not just in the country but in many other parts of the globe as well. Multifaceted as he is multi-awarded, his interests go beyond fashion—he has impressively finished triathlon races, Spartan and relay races, and hopefully, the New York marathon in 2020.
The first to ever have his stylish ensembles grace the runways of Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Kaye Tinga’s Red Charity Gala, Dennis took the challenge of creating 50 looks for the maiden voyage of the gala. He proudly shares how it came to happen, “I invited myself and had to convince Tessa and Kaye that I can do it. I was bold and felt at that time I needed to do a gala. I never regretted a thing. And because of it, the partnership of these two beautiful generous ladies was born. The Red Charity Gala was born.” It was an immaculate picture of a future that his once young self wished to have—a venue to exhibit his skill and a time to prove that he is ready.
This year, when Kaye and Tessa were brainstorming as to which ten designers to bring back to their well-attended charity event, it was but a fitting decision to bring back the man who helped light the red blazing fire of the gala that continues to burn today. Dennis cannot help but feel extremely grateful, “To present a collection together with nine other highly esteemed designers is a tremendous honor and challenge.” Looking back, he can only beam with pride when he thinks of how a decade flies so fast, how the event has grown, and how it has become the country’s biggest fashion fundraiser. “It is beyond my imagination,” he says. “We owe everything to Tessa, Kaye, and Maggie who tirelessly work every year to come up with a brighter, more celebrated, and muchawaited event.”
Showcasing his undeniable talent and masterful skill in crafting and engineering exquisite pieces of wearable art, Dennis’ collection this year is a beautiful symphonic set, an ode to an Oriental tradition—the Chinese cheongsam. “The Story of Mei” is a magnificently woven narrative of largerthan-life pieces that exude grace and femininity.
But aside from the sparkle and spectacle of the gala, Dennis is together with the organizers—who he considers his friends, more than longtime clients, supporters, and endorsers—in recognizing the mission and vision of taking part in the annual celebration. “Charity and service means extending a hand and sharing love, blessings, gifts, and thoughts to people who need it,” he explains. And with every push of the needle, every cut of fabric, the quintessence of what the Red Charity Gala stands for shines brighter than ever.
Being a part of this remarkable moment in the history of the gala, Dennis can only sigh in amazement when he thinks of the tempestuous preparation for his epic comeback at the gala, “Oh wow. [It was] a journey in itself that’s fulfilling, frustrating, exasperating, exhausting, and exciting.” So much of his personality and passions reflect on the workmanship of his portfolio. As he so fittingly puts it, “All the emotions and feelings one must go through to realize his vision.” And with crystal clear precision, well-crafted pieces of art are made.
With so much zest for life, Dennis elucidates what a life of purpose and meaning is like for him, “Knowing your weaknesses and strengths and accepting who you really are. Having friends who support you and make you laugh. Loving what you do and be thankful for it. Valuing the importance of relationships. Being content, grateful and considerate.” And in the simplest yet clearest of words he concludes, “Breath, smile, sweat, walk, run, swim, eat, love and pray.”-PG
“To present a collection together with nine other highly esteemed designers is a tremendous honor and challenge.”