Art and fusion united in the breathtaking display of creativity with “Resplendence,” a collaboration between sculptor Michael Cacnio and fashion designer Robbie Santos of Septieme Rebelle. The exhibit, hosted by Art Lounge Manila at Molito Lifestyle, ran until last December 13.

The seeds of “Resplendence” were sown during the pandemic. “The collaboration came about when the world slowed down,” recalls Santos. “Mike was working on various series and commissions, and I was in between client orders. Tess, his wife, and I regularly worked out together, and the idea to collaborate emerged as a way to distract ourselves from the chaos.”

This collaboration, which took years to complete, showcased a seamless integration of Santos’ fashion expertise with Cacnio’s mastery of brass sculpture.

Describing their process, Santos explains: “Mike was all about the ideas. He would gather dozens of references and, together, we figured out how to translate them into our aesthetic. He provided the vision, and I focused on how each piece should look, from cutting and draping fabric to making countless adjustments.”

Cacnio found the experience equally enriching: “Exploring the fusion of fashion and art was both exciting and challenging. It pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and experiment with new techniques and materials, adding more depth and meaning to my work. Robbie’s expertise with fabrics and his extensive resources on different materials played a vital role in making this collaboration more exploratory and boundless. His knowledge allowed us to experiment with a wide range of textures, colors, and materials, which opened up endless creative possibilities. Collaborating with him also gave me fresh perspectives and new approaches, enriching my creative process. Overall, it was an inspiring experience that expanded my artistic vision and encouraged me to continue blending different creative fields in innovative ways.”

The result was a series that married the elegance of couture with the timeless allure of brass sculptures, draped in tulle, silk, cotton, and lace, materials that were carefully repurposed from Santos’ existing stock. “There was a profusion of tulle, silk, cotton, and lace. These are the fabrics I usually use when making clothes for clients,” adds Santos. “I never bought new fabric for the series. We were conscientious enough to use what we had, pushing the boundaries of creativity.”

“The collection featured both tabletop sculptures and wall-mounted art pieces, each meticulously crafted through a combination of various fabrics and brass. The tabletop sculptures are intimate yet striking, showcasing the fluidity of fabric alongside the rigidity and elegance of brass. They invited viewers to explore the harmony between soft, tactile materials and solid, structured forms. The wall sculptures, on the other hand, extended this concept into larger, more dynamic compositions. Here, fabric was integrated into intricate brass frameworks, creating pieces that felt both grounded and ethereal. Together, these works highlighted the interplay of texture, form, and material, bridging the worlds of fashion and art in a seamless dialogue,” says Cacnio.

For both artists, “Resplendence” represented a harmonious mingling of two creative worlds. “Fashion and art complemented each other beautifully as they both serve as powerful forms of self-expression and creativity,” Cacnio observes. “Fashion became a wearable canvas, offering designers the freedom to play with colors, textures, and forms in a way that is both intimate and publicly accessible. Art, on the other hand, provides a platform for exploring abstract ideas and pushing aesthetic boundaries.”

Santos agrees. “This concept is not entirely new—images of art works have been often printed on fabrics to create clothes,” he says. “Fabrics are also sometimes incorporated in the composition of abstract or expressionist art. Sometimes, sculptors will use some fabrics in their composition. But it must have been a long time since an entire series has been devoted to using fabrics and draping them on brass pieces, like what we have now.”

Each piece in the exhibit was designed to evoke a distinct emotional response. “Each artwork is unique,” says Santos “We hope that viewers saw something personal and meaningful in each piece.”

Cacnio echoes this sentiment. “The collaboration was a natural progression, born from our shared vision to push the boundaries of art and fashion. I trusted Robbie’s creativity completely, and this partnership gave us the opportunity to explore something neither of us could have achieved on our own,” he ends.

Art Lounge Manila is located at Molito Lifestyle Center, Madrigal Avenue, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City.