Dubai-based designer Michael Cinco named as one of Philippines's 'People of the Year'

Cinco said he was 'so honoured and humbled' to receive the award in his home country

Michael Cinco in his Dubai Design District atelier. The Filipino designer has dressed some of the world's most glittering names, so famous they can be described in a single word: Beyonce, Kylie, Gaga. All photos: Reem Mohammed / The National

The uniformity of the bustling atelier is punctuated by an exquisitely ruffled vermillion gown in the corner of the room. The headless mannequin faces into the corner, as if on a time-out, arms spread like she's about to take flight in a cloud of tulle.

His Rolodex might read like a who’s who of Hollywood, but Cinco still has a trifecta of celebrities he longs to dress. “Angelina Jolie, Madonna and Cate Blanchett,” he swiftly replies. “For me, they are the fashion icons. I sent so many clothes to Madonna, but she never wore anything.”

“More than 120, about 140 I think,” says Cinco, when we quiz him on how many employees work in the atelier. “We have a lot of embroiderers because it takes time, especially with my wedding gowns. Most of the details are made by hand.” An average wedding dress, he adds, takes about 100 to 200 hours. During the peak season of December and January, the label will forge around 20 gowns a month.

"She’s sophisticated, elegant and, at the same time, she's not afraid to do something very artistic and something unique," Cinco muses on the type of woman he designs for, pointing to this dress as a prime example. "I usually get inspiration from my travels; I love discovering different cultures. I love to visit museums. I love movies, especially classic Hollywood films where most of the women wear beautiful clothes. And I love opera music."

His decision to move to Dubai in 1997 was in no way him turning his back on his home country, but part of a strategic career move that has handsomely paid off. “I met someone who told me I had to apply to work in this fashion house [in Dubai]; it was one of the biggest fashion houses at the time,” he says. “I submitted my CV and luckily they liked my work and they asked me to come out.”

Something of a national treasure back in the ­Philippines, Cinco was honoured with a presidential award in 2014. But he is modest about his fame in his home nation, stating ­humbly: “I just do what I do and I love representing the Philippines to the world.” But, he adds, Filipinos are “ the best fans in the world”.

Cinco believes the hallmark of a designer’s ­success is when their touch ­becomes instantly identifiable. “One of my clients told me that she was at a wedding and, when she saw the bride’s gown, she knew it was Michael Cinco,” he says, of the moment when he felt he’d achieved that badge of honour.

Most of the designer’s ­customers – about 90 per cent, he estimates – are from the Gulf, with the rest primarily plucked from Russia, Europe and the US.

Many of his international clients fly to Dubai just to hold fittings with the designer, who has dressed members of the emirate’s royal family as well as dignitaries from across the world. “There was one very famous ­Malaysian family once,” he recalls. “I didn’t know that they were that rich at the time. They came here and when trying to organise the fitting, I asked them, ‘what time is your flight?’ They said the flight is at 6pm so I told them to come at noon so they had the time to go to the airport. You know what they told me? ‘It’s OK if we’re late, it’s our own plane.’”

His couture has also been spotted at the Golden Globe Awards, the American Music Awards (on Jennifer Lopez, no less), and in music videos aplenty, such as the Jonas Brothers’ Sucker, which was released earlier this year.

“My dream to become a designer started when I was a kid. I loved watching classic Hollywood films,” Cinco tells me, as he settles into a floral-­embroidered camelback sofa. “One of the best films I’ve ever watched and that inspired me to be a designer was My Fair Lady with Audrey Hepburn. It was like a dream, with the most beautiful costumes I’d ever seen in my life.

With the blessing of his family, Cinco later switched from a Fine Arts programme at the University of the Philippines Diliman to Manila’s Slim’s Fashion and Arts School, where he honed his design skills, further refining his talent with courses at London’s prestigious Central Saint Martins.

For the last three years, Cinco has established himself in a seemingly unassuming office block in D3, yet walking through the door to his atelier is like falling down the rabbit hole. Clad in tasteful creams and whites, with a measured splash of dove-grey and baroque moulding on the walls, Cinco’s space is like a snippet of a modern Versailles in the desert.

“My home town is very small, and every family wants their children to be successful – like a nurse, doctor, architect, engineer, doctor, lawyer,” he explains. “So my family had another dream for me, but I told them I don’t want to be a nurse or whatever, I want to be a fashion designer. I’m very glad and very lucky that they ­supported me.”

“I’m already satisfied with what I have achieved, but there are still so many things that I want to do in fashion. I want to showcase my collections in Paris every season. And of course I want to do a pret-a-porter brand that would represent me internationally.”

Cinco’s ready-to-wear will have to feature fewer intricacies, he admits. “But I have to make sure the Michael Cinco touch is still there,” he says with a grin.

For now, that signature Cinco style is being celebrated in a retrospective, which started at the Savannah College of Art and Design’s Museum of Fashion + Film on Thursday, October 3. “Designers who’ve previously exhibited there are Vivienne Westwood, Guo Pei and Dior,” he says, a look of bewilderment and awe flickering across his face. The display will feature designs worn by Cinco’s celebrity clientele, such as Rai’s two noteworthy Cannes gowns.

“It’s another dream come true – actually, I never dreamt about this, that my clothes would be in a museum,” Cinco sighs. “But I’m glad and I’m so lucky.” I point out that, as he said before, forging a path in fashion is down to graft rather than just gift. “It’s hard work and a little bit of luck,” he concedes.

Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco is known for his bridal gowns.

Which are in turn known for their exquisite detailing.

Dubai-based designer Michael Cinco has been named as one of People Asia's People of the Year.

The fashion designer was honoured at an awards ceremony in his native Philippines last week, hosted by People Asia.

Cinco was one of 15 people to be celebrated at the annual awards ceremony, which honours the achievements and success of Filipinos across different fields.

"So honoured and humbled to be chosen as one of People Asia's People of the Year 2020 along with Asia's great and outstanding achievers and leaders who elevate the Filipino talent and culture to the world," Cinco said in an Instagram post after receiving the award.

Also honoured on the night were actress Kathryn Bernardo, AirAsia’s Sheila Romero and “doctor to the stars” Dr Vicki Belo.

Michael Cinco founded his eponymous label in Dubai in 2003, after moving to the UAE from the Philippines. He was initially lured into the world of fashion after seeing Audrey Hepburn in her white dress in My Fair Lady. Throughout his career, he has dressed the likes of Beyonce, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey.

CELEBS IN MICHAEL CINCO: Aishwarya Rai in Michael Cinco during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2018. EPA

Pia Wurtzbach wears Michael Cinco at the Miss Universe beauty pageant on January 30, 2017. Reuters

Aishwarya Rai in Michael Cinco at the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2017. Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez wearing Michael Cinco during the 2015 American Music Awards. Reuters

Britney Spears in Michael Cinco at the 21st annual Elton John Aids Foundation Academy Awards viewing party on February 24, 2013. AFP

Carrie Underwood in Michael Cinco at the 50th annual Country Music Awards on November 2, 2016. AFP

Allison Janney in Michael Cinco at the 23rd annual Critics' Choice Awards on January 11, 2018. AFP

Victoria Swarovski in Michael Cinco and Werner Muerz after their wedding on June 16, 2017 in Trieste, Italy. Getty Images

Actress Kris Aquino, right, wears Michael Cinco in 'Crazy Rich Asians'. Courtesy Michael Cinco

Sririta Jensen in Michael Cinco at the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2019. Getty Images

Paloma Faith in Michael Cinco at the Met Gala on May 6, 2013. Rex

Kylie Minogue in Michael Cinco at the Dubai World Cup on March 28, 2015. Getty Images

Kelly Brook wearing a white gown by Michael Cinco in 2015. AFP

Ellie Goulding in Michael Cinco at the Cartier Mansion in New York on September 7, 2016. AFP

Sofia Vergara wore a Michael Cinco design for the Golden Globes in 2013. Getty Images

"If there's one thing world-renowned Filipino designer Michael Cinco has proven after being in the fashion business for nearly 30 years now, it's that success, no matter how good you think you are, will never be handed to you on a silver platter," People Asia said of Cinco's award.

“But unlike most people who dwell on the good and gloss over, or even deliberately forget the bad, the Dubai-based Michael, a native of Catbalogan, Samar and, once upon a time, a graduate of Slim’s Fashion and Arts School, uses both positive and negative experiences that come his way to fuel his creativity.”

This is not the first time Cinco has won an award in the Philippines. In 2014, he was honoured with a presidential award. But he is modest about his fame in his home nation, stating ­humbly in an interview with The National in October: "I just do what I do and I love representing the Philippines to the world."

But, he added, Filipinos are “ the best fans in the world”. “They really, really fight for you; they really support you until the end. And if they like your work, they will really try to promote you.”