Audrey Hepburn, playing Eliza Doolittle in the movie My Fair Lady, sparked Michael Cinco's interest in fashion. The actress portrayed a flower seller who turned into a woman of great style whose sense of high glamor and luxurious gowns struck Michael at a young age. Little did he know he would be creating such pieces in the future.
Before becoming a big name in the fashion world, Michael lived a simple life in Catbalogan, Samar, a town he described as “far from the glamor of the fashion world.” What opened his eyes to the industry were classic Hollywood films and fashion magazines.
With his town’s lack of resources and opportunities, Michael moved to Manila to kick-start his dream. He studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, and eventually transferred to Slims Fashion and Arts School to focus on fashion design. He also enrolled at Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design in London to further enhance his talent.
“For someone from a small town like Samar, moving to Manila to pursue studies can be challenging. The transition often involves adapting to a bustling city life, dealing with the financial strain of living in an urban center, and sometimes facing cultural differences,” Michael tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “The cost of education and living in Manila is significantly higher, and the competitive environment can be overwhelming for someone from a more provincial area. But most of my siblings studied in Manila in college so they were there to guide and support me.”
After finishing his studies, Michael went on to do what he wanted—to become a professional fashion designer. He first worked for a company that designs uniforms for hotels and big corporations in Makati City and eventually got to work with the top designers in the Philippines. But his eyes were set on a grander vision, which included his own design house and no shortage of couture.
In 1997, Michael braved Dubai with a mission to make his impalpable dream a reality. But life in the Gulf Tiger comes with many hurdles. For several years, he worked for the biggest and most established fashion houses in the city. During that time, he also had to acclimate himself to its culture, confronting many professional challenges.
“Adapting to a different culture and understanding the fashion preferences in Dubai were my initial hurdles,” Michael recalls. “I also experienced unfair racism and [I had]been rejected many times.”
But those setbacks only fueled Michael' drive. Beyond the challenges, working in Dubai allowed him to gain experience, understand the local and international fashion markets, and build a network of contacts in the industry. With his design prowess and tenacity, Michael decided to take a bold step and launched his fashion label in 2003 with the help of his business partner Sayed Ali.
When we talk about a Michael Cinco creation, the word that often comes to mind is ultra-luxury. His pieces are always full of drama, encrusted with Swarovski crystals, and command attention, whether on the runway or the red carpet.
One of the defining moments of Michael’s career was the time he created a collection for supermodel Tyra Banks’ reality television series America’s Next Top Model. Its producer, Michael Carandang, invited him to produce pieces to be shot in a landfill. That was the designer’s first television exposure, and it propelled him to dress other high-profile celebrities, including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, and other A-list stars who wore his designs on red carpets, and in movies, shows, concerts, and music videos.
As he continued to make international headlines, Michael was also putting the Philippines in the spotlight. He bagged numerous accolades throughout his career as a designer. In 2011, he won the Breakthrough Designer Award at the WGSN Global Fashion Awards in New York. The late President Benigno Aquino III conferred him with the Presidential Award for Outstanding Filipinos Overseas in 2014. Recently, Michael was honored at the Philippine Legacy Gala 2023 with the Legacy Award of Excellence in Global Fashion.
“I have carried my Filipino heritage with me throughout my career,” the designer muses. “If you believe in yourself, that anything in this world is possible, you can make all your dreams come true.”
When asked about the thing he is most proud of, Michael jokingly mentions his collection of limited-edition sunglasses, a nod to his signature look. “People should know that I don’t wear sunglasses when I go to bed,” he laughs.
Currently, Michael is working on his latest collection dubbed "The Impalpable Dream of Eternal City." The collection, which draws its inspiration from the beauty of Rome, is set to be unveiled at The Philippine Legacy Gala this coming December. Apart from promising a night of elegance, the event will be a fundraiser for the Philippine Missionari della Fondazione di Carità, Inc., a non-profit organization supporting the Missionaries of Charity in aiding vulnerable communities in the Philippines.
"Showcasing my collection at the Philippine Legacy Gala to help poor families in Manila is profoundly meaningful to me," Michael says. “It goes beyond the honor of presenting my work on a prestigious platform; it is an opportunity to use my craft for a greater cause.”
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