The ongoing Intimate Audrey installation at S Maison has rekindled the love affair Philippine Fashion has had with all things Audrey Hepburn. It’s an ‘affair’ that one can date back to the 1950’s, and then be amazed by how it has stayed strong for over seven decades. Even younger designers, born after her death in 1993, have come to appreciate and understand her status as a beauty and fashion icon – as the Hollywood celebrity who showed how beauty is not superficial, and beyond her film career, became a well-known humanitarian and Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.
As part of the exhibit, FashionX and the Philippine Fashion Coalition were given an 88 square meters special section at the end of the walkabout to highlight 22 Filipino designers and their creations – as inspired by a photo, a costume from a film scene, or even a moment in Audrey’s private life. This section is curated by Michael Salientes, who was happy to share, “What makes Audrey so special and such an icon? Obviously, her extraordinary beauty. It’s the contrast of her amazing beauty and her realness, humanity. When she opened her mouth, you would really feel her warmth and sincerity.”
“My favorite movie of Audrey’s is Breakfast at Tiffany’s. One thing that is good in this exhibition is it humanizes Audrey – she’s an excellent actress, she’s a good mother, and she’s a philanthropist.”
During a recent Philippine Fashion Coalition lunch, designers chimed in on their favorite Audrey memories. For Jor-El Espina, it’s Fair Lady as his favorite movie, and Jor-El said, “She has personal style. She’s effortless, graceful and a good actress. Plus I love her social work, and the things she shared with people.”
SOFA’s Amina Aranaz calls Roman Holiday her best Audrey film; and says, “Audrey really has an innate sense of style, of elegance, of goodness, and her whole persona seems to exude such positivism.”
Intimate Audrey is a bespoke exhibition created by her son, Sean H. Ferrer. It runs until October 29, and it’s a fascinating collection of original and re-printed photographs, memorabilia, dresses and accessories, plus fashion drawings and humanitarian writings.
And what could be more interesting than to hold your events and special functions at this 88 square meter special section?
If you ask S Maison and the Intimate Audrey organizers to take care of everything, Nono’s can handle your food concerns. Sourcing food from other sources is a possibility, but subject to the limitations of the mall. These group bookings have proved to be extremely popular, and the functions can run for three hours, with anything from 12 to 100 guests as part of the arrangement.
