Pink terno by Filipino designer turns heads at ‘Barbie’ LA premiere

Photo from Dennis Lustico/Instagram

While “Barbie” lead star Margot Robbie made headlines for her press tour looks inspired by vintage Barbie dolls, another dress stunned at the film’s Los Angeles premiere: a pink terno by Filipino designer Dennis Lustico, worn by Filipino-American actress Ana Cruz Kayne, who stars alongside Robbie in the movie.

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The Balintawak, a countryside version of the butterfly-sleeved terno typically worn in town fiestas and pilgrimages, first appeared in Lustico’s collection for Ternocon 2023, a terno-making convention and contest that’s a joint project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and lifestyle brand Bench.

Dennis Lustico’s “pink coconut terno” was part of his collection for Ternocon 2023 | Photo from Dennis Lustico/Instagram

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The stunning pink terno

Cruz Kayne’s terno sleeve top, which Lustico calls the “pink coconut terno,” was part of the designer’s mentor showcase during Ternocon. “Our blush #Balintawak went through some trials before it got to its final look. I did studies of different embellishments, one of which I included here, and finally decided on what I think was the least girly,” Lustico said in an Instagram post.

“The final accent was a coconut series with cut ostrich feathers, crystals, and rhinestones. I balanced the whole pink slew of lace and tulle with a bubble drape of ash silk duchess satin that extends to the back.”

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The Filipino-American actress, he said, specifically requested to wear something Filipino for the big day. Styled by Los Angeles-based Filipino stylist Nikko Panti, Cruz Kayne wore her Lustico terno top with a fringe number from Hervé Léger.

Lustico also credits New York-based Filipino stylist PJ Pascual for putting the ensemble together. In an Instagram post, Pascual said he and Cruz Kayne collaborated on an ensemble where the “East meets the West,” as a nod to her Filipino-American heritage. “On the other hand, the fringe dress represents her American roots. Lastly, pink is Barbie. We had a great time in this partnership.”