MANILA, Philippines — With its mission of elevating local luxury, jewelry brand Diagold, with frequent collaborator and the country’s finest couturier Cary Santiago, held a spectacular showcase of Filipino — via Cebu — world-class creativity.
Directed by Jackie Aquino and staged at the Shangri-La the Fort on September 11, the “Cary Santiago Couture Gala Show” was a splendid melding of haute jewelry and haute couture, where Diagold’s sparkling collection of rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and golden diamonds intertwined with Santiago’s sculptural renditions of animal skins and bird plumage.
“First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our governor of Cebu, the Honorable Pamela Baricuatro. Thank you for always supporting Cebuano arts and culture. This event marks a very special milestone, not just for Diagold, but for the larger movement of showcasing Filipino artistry to the world,” said Jennifer Ty, the brand’s chief executive officer, in her welcome remarks.
“When we first decided to partner with Cary Santiago for tonight, it wasn't a difficult choice. Cary is a visionary. His work goes beyond fashion. It tells stories, evokes emotion, and brings out the strength and grace of every woman who wears his creation,” added Ty.
“Creating a 50-piece collection is very challenging. My collection is inspired from fauna — those that fly, run, and crawl,” said the Cebu-based Santiago in a video montage. “I love the patterns of the animal skin. I love to mimic the texture of the reptile skin, translating it into embossed fabrics. And I also love the feathery softness of birds in flight, translating it into intricate, layered fabrics.”
Every creation is characteristically, unmistakably and inimitably Cary: “Most of my pieces are done by hand. They're hand-stitched in a mannequin. I do the collage and draping on the fabric, like doing a painting almost.”
The couture garments perfectly complement the gemstones collection, aptly called “Crown Jewels.”
“This is more than a fashion show. It is a moment that honors the artistry of Cary Santiago, celebrates Diagold’s design legacy, and redefines what it means to champion Filipino luxury,” reiterated Ty in a previous statement.