Besides the Miss Universe pageant, the Oscars telecast is another fashion platform where Filipino designers are underrepresented. In my annual “fantasy forecast” for cinema’s biggest night, which happens on February 22 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, I wish that six of our world-class and four of our emerging local talents will share the spotlight with the biggest actresses in Hollywood.
Unlike a beauty pageant, where diversity is celebrated, the 87th Academy Awards is, however, a predominantly white affair, with no person of color nominated in the acting categories. It’s also disappointing that there are no female representatives in the best director, original screenplay, screenplay adaptation and original music score categories.
So, what should some of the most powerful women in the world do? Make the negative implications of the #OscarsSoWhite perception and turn it into something wonderful, like wearing predominantly white (or neutral) on the red carpet. That way, their undisputed dominance on the postshow coverage will turn the Twitter trend into something positive, focusing more on the color of the actresses’ outfits than on their complexion.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have four younger designers and one Hollywood favorite dress up the Best Actress nominees? Vania Romoff has a long-sleeved number, which is a preference lately for Julianne Moore; Jaz Cerezo has the right amount of French chic for Marion Cotillard; Pablo Cabahug has an icy-cool creation for Rosamund Pike; and Veejay Floresca has something poufy and playful for Felicity Jones. All four, incidentally, showcased their creations at the Manila Fashion Festival.
As a red-carpet staple, Monique Lhuillier is sure to have a gown worn by someone gorgeous come Oscars night. It would be quite “Wild,” though, if Reese Witherspoon forgoes of her princessy tendencies and opt for a charming suit.
For the most influential fashion figures who will be presenting awards, let’s bring out our big guns. Michael Cinco can pick any astonishing thing from his 2015 Impalpable Dream of Spring collection for Nicole Kidman; Izhcka Zeta has a dazzling dress for Cate Blanchett; Cary Santiago has a sensuous sensation from his Metrowear Icon show for Jennifer Lopez; from the marvelous Velvet Mata Hari suite, Furne Amato should dress up Gwyneth Paltrow; and in his unique couture frock, Ezra Santos will make Sienna Miller even more glamorous.
Well, ladies, make #OscarsSoWhite into #OscarsSoWonderful.