![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OUUFFN2R3H6FL3IOUGEHMVSEP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=55e3899aa300194635b74fb55d8e51be7cfeef57842be80cebfb78784d79cfd9&width=400&height=225)
Another view of Cinco's other foray into film. Michael Cinco
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z5XLBTIAJ2FKX6OZBFWO4ZTJKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=132df97f9b8c8b300c409a5ed291a57f1e3d16422dd3af9a76d1753c962083d6&width=400&height=225)
Kris Aquino on the 'Crazy Rich Asians' set in a Michael Cinco gown: Aquino has lavished praise on Cinco in interviews and on social media. 'Thank you to "the" Michael Cinco for making me a gown truly befitting a princess,' she said recently. 'Based in Dubai, Michael is our very own - he originally came from Samar. This movie gave me that special opportunity to make us Filipinos feel good about ourselves and our contribution to the global workforce.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZGKY67MJN3YK7V47VKYFXXPCTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f22071d5696a0a712e2812c5114e8be0b1fe3db84b885ec6f7d67d2a3d969a5c&width=400&height=225)
Kris Aquino as Princess Intan wearing Michael Cinco, and Constance Wu as Rachel. Warner Bros
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJTBOTHU5FWNJ5RWIOYTHZDRXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=437ea1f77bef3bbea806cd53b831b0e83983da3ea6ae3e678cfa4fc6ce40a887&width=400&height=225)
Constance Wu and Kris Aquino on the set of 'Crazy Rich Asians'. 'While dressing up these famous international [stars] has really been a dream come true, dressing up one of the biggest celebrities from the Philippines gives me a different feeling - it makes me proud to be a Filipino designer,” Cinco explains
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OI3PWQUFTCGNFAQ7VSTDXS7HBE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fadf9eef9271a7fab48a664ae6f58b58b0ae7d991a4d62d718cd048c6f8a5bca&width=400&height=225)
This sketch shows Michael Cinco's vision for Kris Aquino's gown
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ULJ7GEMIUE2JGXPYIZCWCZRZ24.jpg?smart=true&auth=d5d4b1e3f6d419a8951afd1e27303e39a60fc5dc71e523b929c825bb84d6458a&width=400&height=225)
Filipino designer Michael Cinco is based in Dubai, and hinted to us that his next collection, which will launch through his eponymous brand in Dubai, is influenced by contemporary art
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2VC6J6UL6NOEXXI3XJOZNJKWG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a74eb6cdea20dbdbce72bcc5749096c6baa6128d730ddd61c73a6fc2a461d3c1&width=400&height=225)
During and after the film’s shoot in Singapore, Aquino sent Cinco photographs from the set while dressed in the gown. 'She sent me a thank-you message and said she was very happy. She’s one of the kindest souls I’ve ever known,' Cinco says
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2L6ZCRNZF3FF3DF4ZKNRGZ4AGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ed3ac5358a056c98c6b6b05e2838af402610f42067e2dd583a1fa1294e2eb02c&width=400&height=225)
Michael Cinco dressed Mariah Carey while she was in Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SOB2ZY4VVWEHDHUAPSLJJO6NCA.jpg?smart=true&auth=fbb7cc7ee39f54b90be93dfdf53d66e375a4ce770c5fa8d63c0c44c983173db4&width=400&height=225)
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wore a Cinco gown with a three-metre-long train during this year's Cannes Film Festival. The crystal-covered gown was initially designed for a Swarovski exhibition and was made by hand in Cinco's studio in Dubai Design District. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4C3WM6HN6KNEPYKXFDCE2XJITM.jpg?smart=true&auth=39abb22d918340dd1b1c17543dee9584293a077c43edb07a08f0fe8870ee9dea&width=400&height=225)
Cinco was not the only countryman Aquino tapped for this project. At the Hollywood premiere of 'Crazy Rich Asians last week', Aquino flew from Manila to Los Angeles to walk the red carpet along with her 11-year-old son, Bimby. The actress wore a modernised, yellow version of the traditional Filipino terno dress - a creation by Filipino designer Michael Leyva - and jewellery by Filipino company Diagold, which is based in the province of Cebu. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JYT62G3CKIITKDQZKLF5RXOCUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5357b063b42f997fc3ae86e8470d008d01a33560fae876c58497251595546296&width=400&height=225)
Throwback: Michael Cinco's show at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on 2013. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TG644ACFXTHPXDGX7HHHSJEBHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=22c2d51ddb20dbe7e89dc18de891d186a6ca2457e592c1f8c4741d777be5280a&width=400&height=225)
Another look at one of Cinco's 2013 designs. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EU5CCXDVTI2B3NGZ5C3XTM73NE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6393df0005a9ba0495231ccd2a5d15cc9a3aea1d3c9fb2745510245064bd7916&width=400&height=225)
Another Michael Cinco design from the last edition of FFWD in Dubai, seen here, was the gown of choice for Bollywood's Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Cannes last year. FFWD
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZBAVCB2O34MNDZFVQRG3H4DFWA.jpg?smart=true&auth=42bcd0c91f0963e58aaa76e4adee67fcd5a55db79eb497a6d4d8508426a10fc0&width=400&height=225)
Mila Kunis in 'Jupiter Ascending' in 2015 in a design by Michael Cinco
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OUUFFN2R3H6FL3IOUGEHMVSEP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=55e3899aa300194635b74fb55d8e51be7cfeef57842be80cebfb78784d79cfd9&width=400&height=225)
Another view of Cinco's other foray into film. Michael Cinco
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Z5XLBTIAJ2FKX6OZBFWO4ZTJKI.jpg?smart=true&auth=132df97f9b8c8b300c409a5ed291a57f1e3d16422dd3af9a76d1753c962083d6&width=400&height=225)
Kris Aquino on the 'Crazy Rich Asians' set in a Michael Cinco gown: Aquino has lavished praise on Cinco in interviews and on social media. 'Thank you to "the" Michael Cinco for making me a gown truly befitting a princess,' she said recently. 'Based in Dubai, Michael is our very own - he originally came from Samar. This movie gave me that special opportunity to make us Filipinos feel good about ourselves and our contribution to the global workforce.'
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZGKY67MJN3YK7V47VKYFXXPCTM.jpg?smart=true&auth=f22071d5696a0a712e2812c5114e8be0b1fe3db84b885ec6f7d67d2a3d969a5c&width=400&height=225)
Kris Aquino as Princess Intan wearing Michael Cinco, and Constance Wu as Rachel. Warner Bros
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XJTBOTHU5FWNJ5RWIOYTHZDRXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=437ea1f77bef3bbea806cd53b831b0e83983da3ea6ae3e678cfa4fc6ce40a887&width=400&height=225)
Constance Wu and Kris Aquino on the set of 'Crazy Rich Asians'. 'While dressing up these famous international [stars] has really been a dream come true, dressing up one of the biggest celebrities from the Philippines gives me a different feeling - it makes me proud to be a Filipino designer,” Cinco explains
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OI3PWQUFTCGNFAQ7VSTDXS7HBE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fadf9eef9271a7fab48a664ae6f58b58b0ae7d991a4d62d718cd048c6f8a5bca&width=400&height=225)
This sketch shows Michael Cinco's vision for Kris Aquino's gown
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ULJ7GEMIUE2JGXPYIZCWCZRZ24.jpg?smart=true&auth=d5d4b1e3f6d419a8951afd1e27303e39a60fc5dc71e523b929c825bb84d6458a&width=400&height=225)
Filipino designer Michael Cinco is based in Dubai, and hinted to us that his next collection, which will launch through his eponymous brand in Dubai, is influenced by contemporary art
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2VC6J6UL6NOEXXI3XJOZNJKWG4.jpg?smart=true&auth=a74eb6cdea20dbdbce72bcc5749096c6baa6128d730ddd61c73a6fc2a461d3c1&width=400&height=225)
During and after the film’s shoot in Singapore, Aquino sent Cinco photographs from the set while dressed in the gown. 'She sent me a thank-you message and said she was very happy. She’s one of the kindest souls I’ve ever known,' Cinco says
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/2L6ZCRNZF3FF3DF4ZKNRGZ4AGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=ed3ac5358a056c98c6b6b05e2838af402610f42067e2dd583a1fa1294e2eb02c&width=400&height=225)
Michael Cinco dressed Mariah Carey while she was in Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SOB2ZY4VVWEHDHUAPSLJJO6NCA.jpg?smart=true&auth=fbb7cc7ee39f54b90be93dfdf53d66e375a4ce770c5fa8d63c0c44c983173db4&width=400&height=225)
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wore a Cinco gown with a three-metre-long train during this year's Cannes Film Festival. The crystal-covered gown was initially designed for a Swarovski exhibition and was made by hand in Cinco's studio in Dubai Design District. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4C3WM6HN6KNEPYKXFDCE2XJITM.jpg?smart=true&auth=39abb22d918340dd1b1c17543dee9584293a077c43edb07a08f0fe8870ee9dea&width=400&height=225)
Cinco was not the only countryman Aquino tapped for this project. At the Hollywood premiere of 'Crazy Rich Asians last week', Aquino flew from Manila to Los Angeles to walk the red carpet along with her 11-year-old son, Bimby. The actress wore a modernised, yellow version of the traditional Filipino terno dress - a creation by Filipino designer Michael Leyva - and jewellery by Filipino company Diagold, which is based in the province of Cebu. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JYT62G3CKIITKDQZKLF5RXOCUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=5357b063b42f997fc3ae86e8470d008d01a33560fae876c58497251595546296&width=400&height=225)
Throwback: Michael Cinco's show at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai on 2013. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TG644ACFXTHPXDGX7HHHSJEBHM.jpg?smart=true&auth=22c2d51ddb20dbe7e89dc18de891d186a6ca2457e592c1f8c4741d777be5280a&width=400&height=225)
Another look at one of Cinco's 2013 designs. Pawan Singh / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EU5CCXDVTI2B3NGZ5C3XTM73NE.jpg?smart=true&auth=6393df0005a9ba0495231ccd2a5d15cc9a3aea1d3c9fb2745510245064bd7916&width=400&height=225)
Another Michael Cinco design from the last edition of FFWD in Dubai, seen here, was the gown of choice for Bollywood's Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Cannes last year. FFWD
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZBAVCB2O34MNDZFVQRG3H4DFWA.jpg?smart=true&auth=42bcd0c91f0963e58aaa76e4adee67fcd5a55db79eb497a6d4d8508426a10fc0&width=400&height=225)
Mila Kunis in 'Jupiter Ascending' in 2015 in a design by Michael Cinco
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OUUFFN2R3H6FL3IOUGEHMVSEP4.jpg?smart=true&auth=55e3899aa300194635b74fb55d8e51be7cfeef57842be80cebfb78784d79cfd9&width=400&height=225)
Another view of Cinco's other foray into film. Michael Cinco
Michael Cinco says dressing Kris Aquino in 'Crazy Rich Asians' made him 'proud to be a Filipino designer'
The designer was sure to include calado embroidery, a traditional technique from the Philippines, to add a 'touch' of his homeland to the big screen
James Gabrillo
16 August, 2018
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