Global Fashion Flair II’s partners, from left, SHOM president Agnes Roscigno of Italy, SM Senior Vice President for Marketing Communications Millie Dizon, IBF Chairperson Gretchen del Rosario, Monaco Consul General and Event Chairperson Fortune Ledesma. Photo courtesy of SM.

How would you like to see your favorite ambassadors—even the esteemed Austria Consul General Washington Sycip—strike a pose in an elegant barong or charming Filipiniana dress—for fun, camaraderie, and for a noble cause, of course.

On Tuesday, May 5, members of the diplomatic community, their spouses, and some members of the International Bazaar Foundation will work the runway at the ballroom of the New World Makati hotel as Global Fashion Flair makes a comeback at the New World Makati Hotel at 7:30 p.m.

Global Fashion Flair II is the brainchild of the International Bazaar Foundation (IBF) of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Spouses of Heads of Mission (SHOM).

Spearheaded by Madame Gretchen V. del Rosario, spouse of Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Albert del Rosario, and Madame Agnes Roscigno, spouse of HE Ambassador Massimo Roscigno of the Embassy of Italy, as well as event chair Mrs. Fortune A. Ledesma, Consul General of Monaco, the event is an encore of the immensely successful and much acclaimed Global Fashion Flair held two years ago.

H.E. Ambassador Josef Mueller and Mme. Stephanie Wong, Embassy of Austria; Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma; Austria Consul General Washington Sycip; and H.E. Ambassador Truong Trieu Duong, Embassy of Vietnem. Photo courtesy of SM.

SM, through the support of SM Investments Corporation (SMIC) Vice Chairman Tessie Sy-Coson, will be the major sponsor of the show and will provide all the Filipiniana gowns, barongs, and accessories from Kultura; as well as clothes and shoes from the SM Store.

At a media conference recently held at the New World Hotel, General Manager Farid Schoucair expressed his delight and honor to offer have the hotel as venue of the event.

The first Global Fashion Flair happened in 2013 and was met with a highly positive reception as the ambassadors and their spouses gamely strutted their stuff—some playfully, while others taking their role as fashion models seriously—while the crowd cheered wildly for them.

Having experienced already what it’s like to be on the runway, not much convincing was involved in getting these busy ambassadors and their spouses to participate a second time in the fashion show. Besides, as Mme. Roscigno said, the main thing is that it’s for a good cause.

“Some declined only because they were out of the country on the day of the show or had a pressing appointment,” she said. “And as for those who said yes and are available, it’s a matter of sacrifice as our husbands have busy schedules. We, too, as spouses have our own busy schedules as homemakers, as SHOM members with our own projects, and as wives who accompany our husbands during certain functions.

“But the thing is, we committed ourselves. It’s quite hectic but we adjusted our schedules. We do want to help raise the funds for the beneficiaries. And it’s our way of giving back to this country we call home for now.”

Among the diplomats the audience will be seeing a second time around is Sycip whom Mme. Roscigno finds as among the best models in their group. “He takes directions easily and he’s a natural on stage!” she told InterAksyon.

Besides the traditional wear from Kultura, the models, 15 ambassadors and 11 spouses—a mix of first-timers and former participants of the first fashion show—will also present casual ensembles and formal evening wear.

Rehearsals, often held after embassy hours—not to mention the fitting sessions—have been a challenging feat, said Mme. Roscigno, “But the atmosphere during the sessions are very friendly though we all take our roles with a sense of professionalism. After all, it’s for a good cause and the audience will surely be watching how each one will be performing on the catwalk. Plus, we have an honest-to-goodness production team that is experienced in putting up fashion shows.”

The stylish diplomats, from left, H.E. Ambassador Ivo Sieber of the Embassy of Switzerland, H.E. Ambassador Luis Lillo of the Embassy of Chile, H.E. Ambassador Massimo Roscigno of Italy, and H.E. Ambassador Juvencio Martins of the Embassy of East Timor. Photo courtesy of SM.

Fashion director Ogee Atos who was behind the first Global Fashion Flair is once again bringing his team of stylists, makeup experts, crew members, and tech team for this fashion-for-a-cause event.

“We have a tough director!” quips Mme. Roscigno. “He doesn’t spoil us. And we take our jobs seriously.”

Why, we asked. As a matter of national pride? “Oh no, it’s more of a personal pride, I think. You don’t want to slip on stage, right?” she lets out a laugh.

Mme. Agnes Roscigno of Italy, Mme. Ziki Ralte of India, Mme. Maria Jose Calvo of Spain, Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma, and Mme. Michaela Vovkova of Czech Republic. Photo courtesy of SM.

IBF and SHOM members, friends, and supporters are looking forward to Global Fashion Flair II on Tuesday, May 5, at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds of the show will go to the rehabilitation of houses devastated by super typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban, Leyte, and typhoon Ruby in Eastern Samar.  There are still so many families struggling to recover and rebuild their lives and spirit.

Tickets are available at New World Makati at Esperanza St. corner Makati Avenue, Makati and at the 6th floor Special Projects Unit, Department of Foreign Affairs, 2330 Roxas Blvd. Pasay City, as well as Tesoro’s at Arnaiz Avenue in Makati City. For inquiries, please call IBF Secretariat at tel. no. (+632) 833-1320 or email: [email protected].