The Ocean Pavilion of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa has been the choice venue for everything from weddings to cocktail parties, and with its high-vaulted ceilings, glass windows that offer a panoramic view of the sea and well-manicured gardens, it’s easy to see why.

 

The Asian-inspired structure set atop a cliff by the sea is a landmark not only from land, but also from the water. Its picturesque views are best enjoyed during the day, though, when you can see Olanggo Island and an endless stretch of blue beyond it.

 

Louis Vuitton couldn’t have chosen a better backdrop for its 2015 summer collection in Cebu, when the French luxury brand decided to hold its second trunk show at the Ocean Pavilion less than a year after its previous event.

 

The three-day trunk show opened with brunch on a bright, sunny Sunday, to a full house of LV fans and Cebu’s well-heeled set—which is somewhat out of the ordinary, since we island folk are known to spend Sundays lazing around the house, stepping out only in time for happy hour—all dressed in the requested attire of brunch chic.

 

Family affair

 

The brunch became a family affair graced by Cebu’s chicest mothers and daughters, who can easily pass for sisters, including Mayette Pastrano with daughters Julia and Liana; Monina Basubas with Melanie Pepito and Maitha Canoy; Frances and Rae Siao; Lynn, Toni and Ysabel Moro; UK consul Tamsin Booth with Amanda and Ellie; Christine and Lexie Pelaez; June Alegrado and Izarra Ugarte; and Deena and Krista Pages.

 

For Glenn and Honey Loop, it was indeed a complete family affair with their son Eduard joining the cocktail, as it was for Stanley and Christina Villacin, and their kids Maikee and Gab. Doting grandmother Elo Fernan came with her granddaughter Rina Fernan who was visiting from St. Louis. International fashion designer Miranda Konstantinidou, who calls Cebu home and manufactures her beautiful line of Konplott accessories here, brought along her cute granddaughter Maricella, who was also in town for the summer.

 

LV general manager for Micronesia and the Philippines Rhea de Vera-Aguirre hosted the brunch together with PR executive Mary Reyes.

 

Rounding up the LV team who flew in for the occasion were merchandising manager for Micronesia and the Philippines Pamen Lacson, South Asia visual merchandising manager Rizal Khusaine, and Nathan Whitton, Southeast Asia events manager, who flew in from his home base of Hong Kong to check that every detail was as perfect as the finely crafted LV trunks, each of which, we learned, takes up to 60 hours to make.

 

Mary told us the trunk show was designed to showcase the pieces of LV’s new creative director Nicholas Ghesquiere as well as his new design direction, which gives prominence to the image of the new Vuitton woman.

 

“It’s more sleek and modern, but it still combines the tradition and aesthetics of Vuitton’s heritage,” she revealed. “The Petite Malle is the perfect reflection of this coming together.”

 

Statement bag

 

The Petite Malle was one of the highlights of the trunk show, which had everyone admiring the perfect day-to-evening statement bag inspired by the brand’s iconic trunks in the 1800s, and adorned with three crosses signed by beau monde photographer Albert Kahn.

 

“We also wanted to showcase the summer collection in Cebu because of the relaxed vibe of the island,” she explained.

 

“Our summer collection is organized around two main stories,” she added. “The emblematic V, which is inspired by an LV ad in the 1960s with ‘Volez, Voguez, Voyagez avec des Valises Louis Vuitton,’ and reinterpreted in this season’s playful grenade and turquoise, as well as the Ramage print, which is inspired by two patterns of the Cruise 2015 ready-to-wear look: dots and ramages combined in a graphic and feminine print in this season’s color, grenade.”

 

Complementing the LV display was Vito Selma furniture set up into mini lounges. Our favorite, and one of his newest pieces, was the Louis, a sleek, three-legged chair that can also be used as a table and a lamp, and was coincidentally inspired by the timeless, classic design and feel of the Louis Vuitton brand.

 

Aside from being surrounded by the obvious eye candy, Cebu’s A-list set delighted in free-flowing champagne and inventive canapés such as Manchego cheese croissants with jamon Ibérico; polenta croutons with shrimp and parmesan; and scallop, apple and bacon skewers made by Shangri-La’s affable Australian executive chef Frank Bohdan.

 

DJ Badkiss set the mood with her signature eclectic beats, and illustrator Peterich Chiuwan literally worked nonstop to sketch high-fashion-inspired portraits of the guests.

 

LV has shown that in the laid-back city of Cebu, two letters are more than enough reason to leave the house early on a Sunday.