BY JOJO G. SILVESTRE

Whether one refers to the book, the fashion show or the Filipino designer who takes center stage on the first two, there is no mistaking the message — Philippine textile, woven and embroidered, at their best.

In all three, there is another common denominator — the support and patronage of the First Lady, Liza Araneta Marcos.

The fashion show that was recently held at the Goldenberg Museum, under the auspices of the Office of the First Lady, with the Office of the Social Secretary providing a multi-faceted back-up, was a spectacle in black and white as interpreted by Avel Bacudio whose creations paid tribute to the handiwork of Filipino artisans all over the country.

Each piece of clothing modeled by legislators and cabinet secretaries, their wives, key officials of the executive branch, and scions of political families, all clients of Avel, manifested the virtuosity of the iconic designer who chose to downplay extravagance and over-the-top ornamentation by focusing on well-defined structure, casual elegance, comfortability and versatility, the last allowing the wearers to mix and match to suit the occasion.

Goldenberg Mansion, in all its splendor, served as a fitting yet contrasting backdrop to Avel's functionality, simplicity and orderly geometric configurations.

The book, Avel, Ladies in the Palace, quotes the Bicolano designer who laments, "The local weavers and their craft are dying out and they are unable to pass it on to the next generation. This is where I found the passion to do what I can, as a designer, to help this craft alive."

His intention looks beyond the communities where these beautiful fabrics originate and reveals his deep longing to present the best of Filipino craftsmanship to the international community. He admits to being "challenged to bring their weaves into the modern world but going beyond the ordinary. I turned my focus towards elevating them into pieces worthy of the global stage while still paying tribute to their stories and the craft."

On his part, Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos, who supported the book project, describes Avel as "a highly accomplished and extraordinary fashion designer." He enumerates his distinctions, namely, "more than 20 years of successful career; extensive and impressive client list; and numerous awards including Metro Magazine's 2012 Breakthrough Designer and Asia's Most Influential Designer in 2014 at the Mercedes-Benz Style Fashion Week in Malaysia."

On these pages are Avel's creations as modeled by dazzling personalities in government and society, as well as the personal choices of guests, celebrities and achievers too, and Malacanang insiders from their respective closets.

Fittingly, everyone arrived in their black and white outfits, eager and ready to be impressed by what the designer had been up to in the past months. Avel Bacudio did not disappoint them.