COUTURíSSIMO announces Michael Cinco to present during Paris' Haute Couture week at a private di

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 17th MAY 2016

The Executive Board and Governors of the Asian Couture Federation are delighted to announce that member designer and Asian Couturier Extraordinaire, Michael CInco has been invited to present his Autumn / Winter 2016 Couture Collection and collaboration with COUTURíSSIMO on the 3rd July during Paris’ Haute Couture Week.

INVITATION TO PRESENT DURING PARIS’ HAUTE COUTURE WEEK Renowned Philippine and Dubai based Couturier and Asian Couture Federation member designer and Asian Couturier Extraordinaire, Michael Cinco, will present at Paris’ Haute Couture Week on the 3rd July 2016. For over 140 years, Paris has been the spiritual and creative home of Haute Couture, with its biannual couture weeks the world-renowned platform for presenting the foremost couturiers. For over 15 years,Michael Cinco has established his reputation as a leading couturier, one built one exceptional craftsmanship, attention to detail and creativity. In partnership with the Asian Couture Federation, and following the continued support and assistance of the French Government, Michael Cinco will present his Autumn / Winter 2016 Couture Collection and special collaboration with COUTURíSSIMO to a key and influential audience in one of the most important couture markets in the world.Commenting on this announcement, Dr. Frank Cintamani, Founding President ofthe Asian Couture Federation said, “The Asian Couture Federation, has since its inception been dedicated to promoting the very best couture designers in Asia to a world-wide audience. Michael Cinco, has established himself as the Philippine’s andDubai’s foremost couturier, which was rightly recognised by his being inducted intothe ACF as an ‘Asian Couturier Extraordinaire.’ I am delighted that having presented his work so extensively in Asia and the Middle East, that he will be showcasing hise xceptional talent with both his Couture collection and special collection for COUTURíSSIMO on the 3rd July in Paris, during Haute Couture Week.”Presented to a specially invited audience of over 400 international key media, social media influences, couture buyers, and fashion leaders, this will mark a milestone moment for Michael Cinco.

MICHAEL CINCO – AUTUMN / WINTER 2016 COUTURE COLLECTION

Renowned for his couture work, Michael Cinco will be presenting his Autumn / Winter 2016 Couture collection in Paris on the 3rd of July.With the prominence of Paris as the heart of Haute Couture, the presence of Michael Cinco stands as a key moment in Asian couture. His elegant work and refined sensibilities will be given the ultimate platform during the world renowned Haute Couture Week in Paris. Commenting on this, Mr. Michael Cinco, said, “I am delighted to be presenting my Autumn / Winter 2016 Couture Collection in Paris this July. Couture has always been my passion and the opportunity to present my work during Haute Couture Week is a tremendous honour.

MICHAEL CINCO – COUTURíSSIMO COLLECTION The Asian Couture Federation was established to nurture and promote the very best couture talent in Asia. As part of this mission, the Asian Couture Federation will be formally launching its latest initiative - COUTURíSSIMO on the 3rd July in Paris. This ground breaking on-line fashion portal, will provide consumers with access to affordable couture inspired pieces designed by leading couturiers. As part of the launch will be a special collection designed for COUTURíSSIMO by Michael Cinco, which will be presented on the runway immediately following his Autumn / Winter 2016 Couture Collection.

This is the result of a formal agreement, which took place at the end of last year between Michael Cinco and the Asian Couture Federation’s Dr. Frank Cintamani, Founding President and Ms. Emily Hwang, Vice President. Since then, Michael Cinco has worked to create a unique collection, which will be presented in Paris immediately following his couture show. With a show comprising over 30 looks, guests will have the unique opportunity to see the vision, creativity and talent of this leading couturier translated into an accessible and affordable collection for COUTURíSSIMO.

This is the creation of Michael Cinco. Commenting on the launch of COUTURíSSIMO, and the collaboration with Michael Cinco, Ms. Emily Hwang, Vice President of the Asian Couture Federation, said, “The Asian Couture Federation has always had a fundamental belief in the importance of supporting Asian couture talent. The launch of COUTURíSSIMO is a key step in enabling us to ensure that leading Asian Couturiers gain global exposure. We are delighted that Michael Cinco is one of the first couturiers that we are collaborating with to create an affordable and accessible collection that is inspired by the world of couture.”

MICHAEL CINCO – CREATIVE INSPIRATION Uniquely for a Couturier, Michael Cinco has taken a single inspiration for both his Couture collection and ready to wear collection for COUTURíSSIMO. Taking his cue from nature and the beauty of the butterfly, Michael Cinco, said, “The butterfly is a flying flower. The flower, a tethered butterfly. My collection is an homage to the beauty of nature. Like the butterflies just out of their cocoons, hovering around the flowers in their midst. It is a celebration of uncluttered beauty, of raw elegance and lightness of being, and yet, of not so quiet serenity. It is a burst of colours amid the secrecy of black. It is for women who know their desires and ultimately gets them and still thrives on mystery. And yes, like the butterflies and the flowers, it is timeless.”

PRIVATE DINNER – 15th MAY 2016 – A CELEBRATION OF MICHAEL CINCO Though born in the Philippines, Michael Cinco has made a name for himself as a leading couturier in the dynamic city of Dubai. Home for over 18 years, Michael’s own rise to prominence has reflected that of his adopted city. Both enjoy glittering attention from the world’s celebrities, socialites and movers and shakers. Little wonder Michael dubs Dubai as being “so couture.” However, in celebrating Michael being invited to present his couture collection and collaboration for COUTURíSSIMO in Paris, a special private dinner was held in his honour.

Reflecting Michael’s own glamorous style and a nod to his presenting in Paris, the dinner was hosted at STAY by Yannick Alléno , at The One & Only The Palm, Palm Island – Dubai on the 15th May. A sophisticated French restaurant at one of Dubai’s most exclusive hotels, much beloved by the glitterati and social elite, it was the perfect venue for the evening. A four course menu, with champagne and fine wines was enjoyed by 40 hand picked guests from the media and Dubai society, as well as senior representation from the Dubai Fashion Council and D3. Michael was also supported by some of his key couture clients and of course his close compatriots and fellow ACF member designers, Furne One and Ezra Santos.

Founding President of the Asian Couture Federation, Dr. Frank Cintamani, welcomed the guests and underscored the importance of Michael presenting his work in Paris to both the Philippine and Dubai couture industries. He also talked about Michael’s collaboration with Couturissimo and presented images from the recent photo-shoot in the UK so that the assembled media and guests could appreciate the scope of Michael’s creativity and vision. Michael expressed a few words on his own excitement and honour at presenting in Paris, and the evening rolled on.

Just before the dessert, Ms. Emily Hwang, Vice President, in presenting Michael with a special ACF Award, joined Dr. Frank Cintamani. The collective decision of the Executive Board and Governors, Michael was presented with the ‘Best Couture House in the Philippines and Dubai’ Award. This was in recognition of his outstanding creativity, artistry and craftsmanship. MICHAEL CINCO Filipino designer Michael Cinco is best known for his fabulous couture gowns. His fresh and elegant juxtaposition of elements like fabric and Swarovski crystal embellishments reiterate his utterly no-nonsense love for the intricacy of details on exceptionally superb creations. Michael’s celebrity clients include Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Fergie Ferguson, Dita Von Teese, Brandy, Ashanti, Paris Hilton, Mischa Barton, Chris Brown, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Paloma Faith, and Sofia Vergara.

Michael studied Fine Arts in one of the most prestigious universities in the Philippines, and later pursued fashion design training at SLIMS fashion and arts school. He took apprenticeship and was trained by respected designers in the Philippines and the prestigious Central Saint Martin’s College of Arts and Design. He established his own couture house, designing wedding gowns and couture dresses for his elite clients from the Gulf and Arab royalties.

Michael has partnered with Swarovski to create special collections, as well as with the Red Cross Charity Foundation. He was also honored to be invited by Tyra Banks as the special guest designer for America’s Next Top Model cycles 16 and 17, as well as a judge on Asia’s Next Top Model. In 2012, Michael launched his first ever perfume called IMPALPABLE.

For more information, please visit: www.michaelcinco.com www.facebook.com/michaelcincocouture www.instagram.com/michael5inco

THE ASIAN COUTURE FEDERATION (ACF) Inaugurated in 2013, the Asian Couture Federation (ACF) was set up to inspire, support, and promote the highest levels of Asia-based fashion design artistry to the Asian and global markets. The ACF aims to proactively assist with the development of a more attractive landscape for such talented Asian designers to remain in Asia and have their businesses headquartered in Asia for the global market. The ACF seeks to support such talent and promote the creativity of its best local designers, to both Asian and worldwide audiences.

For more information, please visit: www.asiancouturefederation.com www.facebook.com/asiancouturefederation www.instagram.com/asiancouturefederation www.twitter.com/asiancouturefed www.youtube.com/user/asiancouturefed

COUTURíSSIMO Built upon a desire to build a bridge between couture and consumer, COUTURíSSIMO is a ground breaking on line platform that will extend the reach of best-in-class designers and create access to their designs on a grand scale. Backed by the Asian Couture Federation, COUTURíSSIMO has a brand concept of being a multi-designer label that focuses on collaborations with established couture designers from across the world to create accessibly priced high quality couture inspired collections. In the spirit of ‘see now – buy now’, the collection will be available for order and purchase immediately following the show on the 3rd July at www.couturissimo.com.

For more information, please visit: www.couturissimo.com www.facebook.com/couturissimo www.instagram.com/couturissimo www.twitter.com/couturissimo

MEDIA ENQUIRIES For more information or any media enquiries, please contact the following: Nerry Toledo The Portsmouth Group Tel : +97144490600 Mobile: +971507478066 nerry.toledo@theportsmouthgroup.com