• Michael Cinco takes his final bow at his Arab Fashion Week presentation. All photos: Michael Cinco
    Michael Cinco takes his final bow at his Arab Fashion Week presentation. All photos: Michael Cinco
  • Cinco's sunset-inspired palette featured deep oranges and vibrant yellows.
    Cinco's sunset-inspired palette featured deep oranges and vibrant yellows.
  • An embroidered fabric was dyed in ombre tones and then cut into a loosely flowing kandura.
    An embroidered fabric was dyed in ombre tones and then cut into a loosely flowing kandura.
  • One of the collection's more formal looks.
    One of the collection's more formal looks.
  • Models carried oversized basket bags filled with flowers.
    Models carried oversized basket bags filled with flowers.
  • Geometric motifs cover a kandura.
    Geometric motifs cover a kandura.
  • Cinco favoured flowy fabrics, such as organza.
    Cinco favoured flowy fabrics, such as organza.
  • The new menswear collection is called The Impalpable Dream of Rio de Janeiro.
    The new menswear collection is called The Impalpable Dream of Rio de Janeiro.
  • Shorts were paired with zip-up jackets.
    Shorts were paired with zip-up jackets.
  • The designer also experimented with powerful pops of blue.
    The designer also experimented with powerful pops of blue.
  • Cinco played with volume and layering.
    Cinco played with volume and layering.
  • The famous Christ the Redeemer statue, seen here on the model's top, was a recurring motif.
    The famous Christ the Redeemer statue, seen here on the model's top, was a recurring motif.
  • An all-orange look from the new collection.
    An all-orange look from the new collection.
  • All-green looks referenced Brazil's tropical vibe.
    All-green looks referenced Brazil's tropical vibe.
  • A playsuit was paired with a long flowing robe.
    A playsuit was paired with a long flowing robe.
  • A nod to Brazil's indigenous tribes.
    A nod to Brazil's indigenous tribes.

Lifestyle

Luxury

Michael Cinco presents colourful ode to Rio de Janeiro in new menswear collection

The Filipino designer draws on his travels to South America for his latest creations

Selina Denman
Selina Denman

June 30, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

With the rhythmic beat of jungle drums reverberating across the catwalk and images of Brazil’s world-famous Christ the Redeemer statue acting as a dramatic backdrop, Filipino designer Michael Cinco unveiled his spring/summer 2023 men’s collection in Dubai Design District on Wednesday.

As one of the most anticipated shows of this season’s Arab Fashion Week, which ends on Thursday, Cinco’s presentation brought his trademark glamour, traditionally reserved for red carpet dresses, to menswear.

Lavish outfits acted as a canvas for a vibrant palette, which shifted from fiery shades of orange to gentle shades of dandelion and mustard yellow.

Models carried oversized basket bags filled with flowers. Photo: Michael Cinco
Models carried oversized basket bags filled with flowers. Photo: Michael Cinco

The collection was inspired by Cinco’s recent travels to South America, he told The National. “The latest menswear collection is called The Impalpable Dream of Rio De Janeiro. I was inspired by my latest trip to Rio," he says. "I was in awe of the sunset at Ipanema Beach and vibe in the area. I love samba music and the festival spirit of Rio.

“I saw men wearing a lot of shorts and bombacha pants. I used a lot of flowy fabrics like organza in gradient sunset colours. I imagine men wearing shorts, flowing robes, kaftans and ponchos during cold nights on Copacabana Beach.”

On the runway, graphic geometric prints appeared on tunic tops and floor-sweeping kanduras, while blazers and cropped jackets were covered in painterly swirls and trompe l’oeil patterns. Capes and long flowing robes paid tribute to UAE culture.

Models also wore shorts and zip-up jackets decorated with sequins to create elevated athleisure.

The shimmering fabrics caught the light in multifaceted way as models made their way down the runway, some clutching oversized basket bags filled with multicoloured flowers. Shorts were paired with trainers and preppy-looking knee-length socks, while embroidered fabrics were dyed in ombre tones and then cut into loosely flowing kanduras and ponchos.

All the Michael Cinco dresses at Cannes over the years — in pictures

  • Former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey in a gown by Michael Cinco at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. AFP
    Former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey in a gown by Michael Cinco at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. AFP
  • Dubai Bling star Farhana Bodi in a custom dress in 2024. AFP
    Dubai Bling star Farhana Bodi in a custom dress in 2024. AFP
  • Cambodian actress Yubin Shin wearing a satin ballgown from Cinco's Japan-inspired spring/summer 2024 collection. AFP
    Cambodian actress Yubin Shin wearing a satin ballgown from Cinco's Japan-inspired spring/summer 2024 collection. AFP
  • Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in 2017. Getty Images
    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in 2017. Getty Images
  • The blue off-the-shoulder dress featuring detailed beading, embroidery and a voluminous skirt, is from Cinco's Impalpable Dream of Versailles collection. Getty Images
    The blue off-the-shoulder dress featuring detailed beading, embroidery and a voluminous skirt, is from Cinco's Impalpable Dream of Versailles collection. Getty Images
  • The gown is made up of ultra-violet, midnight blue and red threadwork, and is meant to mimic a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. Reuters
    The gown is made up of ultra-violet, midnight blue and red threadwork, and is meant to mimic a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. Reuters
  • The elaborate dress took more than 3,000 hours to make, the designer said. Reuters
    The elaborate dress took more than 3,000 hours to make, the designer said. Reuters
  • Indian actress Deepti Sadhwani in a bright yellow crystallised gown in 2024. Getty Images
    Indian actress Deepti Sadhwani in a bright yellow crystallised gown in 2024. Getty Images
  • Danish-Thai actress Sririta Jensen in 2019. Getty Images
    Danish-Thai actress Sririta Jensen in 2019. Getty Images
  • Jensen's coral tulle layered gown was specially made for her by Cinco. Getty Images
    Jensen's coral tulle layered gown was specially made for her by Cinco. Getty Images
  • Israeli TV presenter Hofit Golan at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival in a Cinco dress. Getty Images
    Israeli TV presenter Hofit Golan at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival in a Cinco dress. Getty Images
  • Golan wore a Cinco dress again in 2018. It is from his autumn 2016 collection. Reuters
    Golan wore a Cinco dress again in 2018. It is from his autumn 2016 collection. Reuters
  • Swedish-Thai actress and model Praya Lundberg is another frequent collaborator, wearing a Cinco gown in 2018. Getty Images
    Swedish-Thai actress and model Praya Lundberg is another frequent collaborator, wearing a Cinco gown in 2018. Getty Images
  • Belgian model Rose Bertram in a Cinco creation in 2018. Getty Images
    Belgian model Rose Bertram in a Cinco creation in 2018. Getty Images
  • French model and Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere in 2019. Getty Images
    French model and Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere in 2019. Getty Images
  • Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut in 2019. Getty Images
    Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut in 2019. Getty Images
  • Miss Kosovo and Dubai resident Emilia Dobreva in 2022. Reuters
    Miss Kosovo and Dubai resident Emilia Dobreva in 2022. Reuters
  • Indonesian actress Raline Shah in a Cinco dress in 2022. Getty Images
    Indonesian actress Raline Shah in a Cinco dress in 2022. Getty Images
  • Shah's dress features hand-painted patterns inspired by the aurora borealis. Getty Images
    Shah's dress features hand-painted patterns inspired by the aurora borealis. Getty Images
  • Thai fashion personality Nichapat Suphap in a Cinco dress in 2022. Getty Images
    Thai fashion personality Nichapat Suphap in a Cinco dress in 2022. Getty Images
  • Model Natalia Barulich in an embroidered blue and gold Cinco gown in 2022. Getty Images
    Model Natalia Barulich in an embroidered blue and gold Cinco gown in 2022. Getty Images
  • Saudi influencer Eleen Suliman in a yellow Michael Cinco gown on the closing night in 2022. Getty Images
    Saudi influencer Eleen Suliman in a yellow Michael Cinco gown on the closing night in 2022. Getty Images
  • Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela in a Michael Cinco dress on the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival 2025. Getty Images
    Bollywood actress Urvashi Rautela in a Michael Cinco dress on the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival 2025. Getty Images
  • Thai model and beauty queen Veena Praveenar Singh was seen on the second night on Thursday in a voluminous 'black liquid' gazar gown by Cinco at the premiere of Dossier 137 (Case 137) in 2025. Getty Images
    Thai model and beauty queen Veena Praveenar Singh was seen on the second night on Thursday in a voluminous 'black liquid' gazar gown by Cinco at the premiere of Dossier 137 (Case 137) in 2025. Getty Images
Updated: July 01, 2022, 3:27 AM
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