It all began when Ben Farrales’ relative, Cynthia Pendatun, donated about 40 of his Philippine ternos and evening gowns to the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, for the safekeeping and preservation of these artifacts of fashion history.
This brought about Farrales @ Benilde, a physical exhibition of choice ensembles by the Philippine Dean of Fashion, at the 12th-floor Main Gallery of the college’s Design and Arts Campus.
The ongoing show features his Filipiniana creations, traditional ternos and Muslim-inspired pieces, all pinnacles of the artistry that has led to his recognitions, to include Outstanding Filipino award by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines and Gawad CCP Para sa Sining by the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Among the many visitors was once-upon-a-time Manila’s toast of a model, Bambi Harper, accompanied by son Miguel and daughter-in-law Angela. Harper was among the muses if not the main muse of Farrales, specially during his early years in the industry.
red and gold terno.
The displayed archives of printed clippings show that Bambi, formerly a Lammoglia, donned a Farrales checkered kimona for the cover story in the Woman and the Home magazine in 1959. Since then, the two were considered inseparable as they made the rounds in the greater Manila area and the various cities in country and all the way to the World’s Fair in Seattle, Washington, United States.
“I was 16 and just out of school when I was thrown into a world of glamorous clothes and exciting benefits organized by Tita Conching Sunico. But it was a very private individual and vastly talented young couturier called Benjamin Farrales who stepped in, like Professor Henry Higgins, to teach me how to glide down a ramp or do a sharp turn — and to do it all seemingly effortlessly,” she recalled.
Pieces were made for her to showcase the Farrales’ evolution through this 60-year career.
“Some people enter our lives for a while or a brief season, but with Mang Ben, he was a friend for life,” she continued.
Inspired by the collection on exhibit, Harper likewise donated select Farrales ternos and evening gowns, fabric drapes with unusual color combinations, from her own personal wardrobe, in order for future students to likewise learn from the fashion giant.
“The range of styles show the creativity of Farrales as well as the high regard and affection he had for his muse, as they traversed their lives and careers through the years. The colors of the ternos nearly complete the rainbow spectrum, from the deep red of the Indian style piece to the cool blues and greens of the Grecian draped number,” stated Gerry Torres, Center for Campus Art director.
The fashionable ensembles from Bambi Harper’s trove include a black and magenta terno, a two-toned duo with a black lace overlay on an empire cut magenta gown, and accented by an oversized lilac bow embellished with beads; a three-toned gold terno, which features a scrunched pleated top with a diagonal pattern and a full skirt with soft pleats; a Grecian-inspired royal blue and chartreuse terno in chiffon with soft drapes commencing at the bust and falling gently to the hem; an Indian-style red and gold terno with a one-shouldered sari-like detail on the edges and bodice with an embroidered gold trim; an ecru and gold terno with butterfly sleeves; and an ecru and gold skirt and Japanese-inspired dinner jacket with an embroidered clasp.
These pieces will be incorporated in the ongoing Farrales @Benilde exhibit, which runs until 10 September. Soon after, the entire collection will be transferred to a permanent site in the DLS-CSB campus. For those who wish to share their Farrales gowns for exhibit and safekeeping, contact Gerry Torres and the CCA by emailing campus.art@benilde.edu.ph.