The city was in no mood for a goat, make that two happy green goats looking pert in the middle of a scenic, idyllic countryside. Or so we thought.
Turned out, Metro Manila, in these days that swing between a sense of gloom and boom, between rains and gridlock, long much for idyll, color, flowers—and yes, even goats.
These were what the modern minimalist building of Swatch on Arnaiz Avenue, Makati, had last Thursday afternoon as women came to a private afternoon party and to have a sneak peek at Swatch Fall 2017 collection—a line of dainty floral-specked watches that exudes happy elegance. Their cool, perk-me-up colors and fertile designs prove that, indeed, there’s such a thing as happy elegance.
The austere venue was transformed into a rustic countryside—straight from the unpredictable imagination of the country’s foremost scenographer
Gino Gonzales. Think out of the box—that saying could have been invented for Gonzales.
No parameters
Gonzales always surprises, for he’s not bound by parameters—in concept and aesthetics. Thus, no two Gonzales concepts are ever the same.
For the Swatch happy afternoon hosted by Tatler editor Mia Borromeo, Gonzales used green grass-printed tarpaulin to cover the flooring of the entire venue. Picnic tables were set up, laden with colorful flowers and food that was just as colorful, from the yellow cheeses to the juices.
The Swatch lions had leis of white flowers and yellow lemons. Guests posed at a potted photo wall, and were given their souvenir photos in pots as they left.
The Merry Berry Maxi watch was mounted in a pastel pink crate, with backdrop of berries and roses.
The goat figures—which stood out if only because they were new in Gonzales’ cast of characters—were covered in faux grass, complete with leafy horn accents.
A gelato truck, with floral stickers that matched the Merry Berry Maxi watch, served all kinds of flavors.
There were even a pastel teal piano and vintage gramophone with pink hand-painted flowers.
The buffet had roasted turkey, salmon sandwiches, spaghetti in a parmesan wheel with two kinds of sauces: classic tomato sauce and summer carbonara sauce.
An assortment of 12 artisanal cheeses flown in fresh from France were served with Australian wines.
Guests had their portraits illustrated.
A hit was the cotton candy molded into flowers, heart and animal shapes.
Awards were given—the best dressed winner was Tessa Prieto-Valdes, best dressed runner-up was Tina Cuevas. A special award was given Mia Lozada for her OOTD: tulle skirt with floral accents and fresh flower crown.
