A SERENDIPITOUS LIFE
Called back to impress style savants anew at the Red Charity Gala, CARY SANTIAGO recounts momentous highlights and lessons from his decorated career—one which started as early as childhood
As I chat with Cary Santiago during the cover shoot for this year’s Red Charity Gala, he is remarkably candid about the pressure he felt back in 2012 for the annual fundraising event. Anyone would feel that, he quips, especially if one had to present after Furne One and Michael Cinco—his former housemates in Dubai and fellow extraordinaire couturiers. His game plan for his debut collection was straightforward: stay true to his aesthetic and play with his strengths.
“Furne and Michael are masters of precision, from intricate beadwork to measurements down to the last millimeter,” he notes. The Cebuano couturier considered it imperative to uphold the artistic legacy that the gala has established. Hence, his origami-inspired dresses featured his penchant for visually appealing and impeccable fabric manipulations, basket-weave patterns, and wrapped metalwork. Suffice to say, Cary was triumphant, raising the stakes higher for the next charity galas.
FROM CHILD’S PLAY TO COUTURE
Even before his couture training in the Middle East, Cary already had prior design education—he just wasn’t aware at first that such was the case. “My mother was a tailor,” he recalls. “Oftentimes, she would ask me to fold and cut fabric, copy a few sketches, or draw lines and patterns for her, and I would get money in exchange. It only felt like child’s play before, but now that I look back at it, my mother was already training me at that time.”
With fashion school right at the comfort of his own home, Cary explored more possibilities with fabrics and designs, often asking his mother for her appraisal. “She would always tell me, ‘Okay, this sketch is beautiful. However, how will the client wear this?’ She would teach me how to make my designs both wearable and beautiful. She instilled and reiterated that philosophy: a dress is meant to be worn. First and foremost, it has to function well.”
As Cary continued honing his craft, he immersed himself in various books on history, art, architecture, and culture, marrying solid technical training with boundless imagination. “Of course, as an artist, I wanted to elevate my work. I took my mother’s teachings to heart, but I also wanted to add my own creative flair.”
FROM THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN
For this year’s gala, Cary returns with renewed vigor and exciting ideas. “For the first time, I’ll be presenting vibrant colors alongside my signature black and white aesthetic,” he excitedly shares. “I’ve always loved and presented muted tones—I mean, look at me, I’m wearing all-black—but I figured that I should do something different for this year’s Gala.”
I take a quick look at his muse’s gown for the cover shoot. Jeline Eduardo wears a rosy pastel pink dress with traditional kimono embroidery at the lower part of the skirt. The top half demonstrates Cary’s draping prowess, while the flowy train suggests a sense of ease. “Jeline’s mom, Alice Eduardo, is a client and a friend of mine,” he notes. “For Jeline, I took into account her lovely personality. I wanted a soft and fluid dress for her.”
Inspired by Japanese dolls and the graceful geisha, Cary modernizes elements like the obi, Japanese prints, and kimono sleeves, incorporating them into the rest of his dresses. “Japanese art and tradition have always fascinated me. I instantly fell in love with the culture when I first visited there,” he recalls. “I bought authentic Japanese textiles and kept them first, waiting for the right moment to use such exquisite fabric. When I was invited for the gala this year, I immediately thought, ‘this is it.’ ”
“She instilled and reiterated that philosophy: a dress is meant to be worn. First and foremost, it has to function well.”
THE SPIRIT OF GRATITUDE
As he continues to dress society’s gorgeous and discerning women—a dream come true, he says—Cary keeps himself grounded, revering the simple and charitable life as a more beautiful and meaningful one. “I find that kind of lifestyle more fulfilling. There is more to life than just beauty—it is nothing without charity,” he emphasizes. “With all the success that we achieve, it is definitely important to give back even more.”
Cary describes his participation in this year’s Red Charity gala as a gratifying experience. “Kaye is my client, and I also dress Tessa,” he says. “Of course, it’s easy to work with people you’ve known for so long. It is heartwarming to be invited back to the gala and celebrate alongside established names in the industry for a good cause. That just shows how your clients trust and value you and your work.”-GD