Chito Vijandre in focus at 8th Red Charity Gala on October 8

Chito Vijandre in focus at 8th Red Charity Gala on October 8
By JAY PATAO

Photo by Lito Caleon

Teaser images from Red Charity Gala Facebook

STYLE and society mavens Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Kaye Tinga will once again spearhead the annual Red Charity Gala happening at Shangri-La The Fort on October 8 at 6:00 p.m.
Now on its 8th year, the fabulous event has consistently served to raise funds and awareness for two very worthwhile causes: The Philippine Red Cross and the Assumption High School Batch 1981 Foundation.

This year, the convergence of fashion and generosity will focus on renowned fashion and interior designer Chito Vijandre who is set to mesmerize audiences with his fabulous collection that celebrates Filipino artistry at its finest, making him officially join Red Charity’s league of world-renowned Filipino designers Dennis Lustico, Furne One, Michael Cinco, Cary Santiago, Ezra Santos, Jojie Lloren and Lesley Mobo.

For the most awaited occasion, Chito will present a 40-piece Filipiniana haute couture collection, reimagined and reconfigured through the prism of Philippine history and art.

“The concept for my collection will be Filipiniana, but there is nothing Filipiniana about it,” Chito teasingly said during the event’s press launch at Salvatore Cuomo and Bar, Uptown BCG, Taguig City last Tuesday. “It will actually be minimalist, very simple,” he continued in jest quickly eliciting a reaction from Tessa Prieto-Valdes who in turn joked “Then we are not having a show!”
Of course, Vijandre’s artistic and talented bent is anything but simple. His works always stood out in, leading him to gain recognition in school, awards in art competitions here and abroad, including participating at the prestigious art forum at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

After enrolling at Slim’s Fashion and Art School in the 70s, he quickly gained recognition and patronage from Manila’s elite and fashionable set for his unique and refined designs. These women of true elegance and style included the divine Chona Recto Casten and Tingting Cojuangco. At 20, he already mounted his one-man lunchtime fashion show at the famed La Concha at The Hyatt.

Chito then naturally progressed, lending his creativity and vision to interior design, executing homes, boutiques and restaurant, eventually founded with his partner Ricky Toledo the landmark concept store Firma, the purveyor of home accents, jewelry and objet d’art, and later, AC+632 at Greenbelt 5.
“I want to be creative again,” he enthused, after a hiatus of two decades in the fashion scene. “My new collection is inspired by the important periods of our history, like the Spanish colonial era, the Galleon Trade, the Japanese Occupation and so on. It will be non-traditional but with glimpses or silhouettes of say the terno’s iconic sleeves, and the piña and jusi fibers.”

Exclusive items and services from its sponsors were also announced at the press preview, among them, a wonderful necklace from Jewelmer, a rejuvenation package from Villa Medica in Germany, watches from Omega and a chopper ride to and from Antonio’s Tagaytay. These and many more will be up for auction to raise funds for its charity undertakings that has already built homes for victims of Typhoon Yolanda in eastern Visayas and other calamities.
The 8th Red Charity Gala is directed by Ariel Lozada, fashion styling by Noel Manapat and hair and make-up by Henri Calayag.