When Beatrice Luigi Gomez walked on stage for the 70th Miss Universe preliminaries in her national costume, the Golden Lunar Dragon by Cebuano designer Axel Que, she was telling a story.
She was telling her own story, of course, of her Miss Universe journey, but she was also telling the story of Bakunawa, a serpent- and dragon-like creature in Visayan and Bicolano mythology that had served as the inspiration for her national costume in Miss Universe Philippines. The Golden Lunar Dragon is the Bakunawa’s final form, a theoretical envisioning of the creature if it had swallowed the last of the seven moons, as it had always failed to do so in folklore.
Pageants have set the world stage for many countries’ top talents to come together, which includes not only aspiring delegates but also the creative minds that get them there– like stylists, hair and makeup artists, and designers, to name a few.
As viewers, we normally only ever get to see finished looks on stage or on camera, but Axel Que and Ayala Center Cebu are giving us a chance to see the level of hard work and skill that goes into every single design through Sinulog and Beyond.
Sinulog and Beyond is a collection featuring Axel Que’s creations, curated and exhibited as a tribute to Cebuano talent, beauty and artistry. The exhibit includes some of Que’s most prominent works, such as the original iteration of the Bakunawa costume worn by Gomez for the Miss Universe Philippines national costume contest, as well as Vessel of Faith, a tribute to 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines, and Mariposa, a design inspired by Cebuano lepidopterist-cum-artist Julian Jumalon and his butterfly mosaics. The latter two works were both worn by Miss World Philippines Tracy Maureen Perez.
Also showcased are Flight of Colors, inspired by the peacock; El Corazon, a fusion of Filipino Christianity and Mexican art; as well as designs for Sinulog Festival Queens and campaigns, such as the pearly Secret Garden and the cloudlike Panganod.
The exhibit allows viewers to know the history behind each creation, showing the thoughtfulness and intricacies of creating something that tells a story just by looking at it. Others may simply write off costume design and think it’s only about making it look beautiful, but as a representation of not only the delegates but also the places from which they hail, much care and forethought has to go into them.
Que has drawn inspiration from the country and region’s rich mythology and history, which only further commemorates the theme of Cebuano talent, beauty and artistry. Indeed, the designer’s impressive work and talent alone is a testament to such things, but by taking influence from that which we already know and love, Axel is able to breathe new life into these stories and concepts.
Axel shares further details about the exhibit’s designs and the inspiration behind them in this interview.
Bernice: Could you give us a brief history of how you became a designer? What sparked your interest, and how has your creative process changed since you first started?
Axel: I was always drawn to any form of arts and craft ever since I could recall. My father being an architect also influenced my approach to the arts. I am what you may call a highly technical artist, and that has never changed. I took up industrial design in UP, so I could find that middle space between methodical and unorthodox. This eventually poured into my design sensibilities when I finally decided to pursue fashion as a practical career. The rest, I guess you can say, is history.
Bernice: How has it felt seeing your designs get recognized on a global scale, as well as being able to give Cebuanos an up-close look at your creations through the exhibit, when most of us would only have ever seen it on camera?
Axel: It feels good to get validation on a global scale. Vanity aside, it just reaffirms me to where I should be, and what I should be doing. Of course, it is only fitting that I make sure to share success to my fellow Cebuanos: so they will be able to appreciate the details up close. For me, the take-away from all this is that hard work will always be rewarded; maybe not now, but soon.
Bernice: Of all the designs featured in Sinulog and Beyond, is there any in particular you would call your favorite? Or, which ones were the most memorable to create for you?
Axel: All of them at some point were my favorite. They still are, because of the time and effort I put into making them. But if I had to pick one now, maybe the Bakunawa. It was a challenge finding the middle ground between it being too literal, and making it glamorous at the same time. I also had to make sure Bea was able to put on the costume by herself, hence so much more considerations were made and incorporated into the design.
Bernice: What else does Axel Que have in store for 2022?
Axel: Expect the Unexpected. We will continue to evolve, and surprise audiences with more Iconic looks. Stay tuned, and continue to support me, and Team Cebu.
Sinulog and Beyond is on exhibit at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center until January 31, 2022.
Photography Ted and Tim Bermudez
