Only in Cebu do you see a fashion show where cars do the catwalking on the runway.

 

Last month, the Fashion Council of Cebu (FCC), with the Performance and Classics Enthusiasts (PACE), held the by-now popular annual Gear and Glam at the SM Seaside Cebu.

 

This year’s “Gear and Glam VIII: Tour de Cebu” featured vintage cars and high fashion in a way that only Cebuanos can—with glitz and glamour.

 

The Mountain Wing Atrium of the new SM Seaside Mall was converted into a fashion runway, where vintage cars and fashion models wowed guests with their beautifully wrought designs.

 

The show was held to celebrate the expertise and fashion know-how of the Cebuano designer. The Gear and Glam fashion show was helmed by foremost Cebu designer Philip Rodriguez, whose notable recent work was his fashion show for the Apec ministers who visited Cebu last year.

 

Rodriguez chose the Grand Prix theme, which was the perfect reason to bring out the unique vintage car collections of prominent Cebuanos like Red Durano, Eduardo Aboitiz, Tyrone Tan and Kenneth Cobonpue.

 

“It’s always great to organize the Gear and Glam shows,” said Rodriguez. “It’s an excellent opportunity to showcase the talents of the Cebuano designer.”

 

Vintage car enthusiasts would have loved the show, as cars such as the 1960 Corvette, the Shelby Cobra, Porsche 550 Spyder, Porsche 914, 964 Kharmann Ghia, 1968 Mercedes Benz 280 SL and 1968 Mercedes Benz 280 SE roared their way onto the catwalk alongside the talented models of Cebu.

 

The new SM Cebu Seaside was the perfect venue, given its prodigious size and posh ambiance.

 

Notable guests included Kenneth and Susan Cobonpue, Amparito Lhuillier, Susan Sala, Rosebud Sala, Elvira Luym, Iris Arcenas and

Teresin Mendezona.

 

FCC members who paraded their designs were Cary Santiago, Albert Arriba, Arcy Gayatin, Dino Lloren, Ditas Rodriguez, Edwin Ao, Jun Escario, Mia Arcenas, Oj Hofer, Philipp Tampus and Yvonne Quisumbing.

 

The event also kicked off the Tour de Cebu, the annual tour of these vintage cars in the Visayas. Various motor enthusiasts and the Manila Sport Car Club take their cars on the Cebu-Bohol-Cebu route. The tour was conceived to help create awareness of the beauty of the  Visayas.  —CONTRIBUTED