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
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.
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
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
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 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
Danish-Thai actress Sririta Jensen in 2019. 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
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
Belgian model Rose Bertram in a Cinco creation in 2018. Getty Images
French model and Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere in 2019. Getty Images
Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut in 2019. Getty Images
Miss Kosovo and Dubai resident Emilia Dobreva in 2022. Reuters
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
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
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
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
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened. He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia. Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”. Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Manchester City 3
Danilo (16'), Bernardo Silva (34'), Fernandinho (72')
Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Ulloa (20')
German plea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the German parliament that. Russia had erected a new wall across Europe.
"It's not a Berlin Wall -- it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb" dropped on Ukraine, Zelenskyy told MPs.
Mr Zelenskyy was applauded by MPs in the Bundestag as he addressed Chancellor Olaf Scholz directly.
"Dear Mr Scholz, tear down this Wall," he said, evoking US President Ronald Reagan's 1987 appeal to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
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