MANILA, Philippines?A master of Philippine fashion, Inno Sotto holds an annual show, has an A-list clientele that?s still growing, and is covered in a shroud of mystery that makes him larger than life.

Embarking on his 26th gala fashion show, Sotto is showing more excitement than ever. For this show he has not only placed his creative juices but also his soul on adrenalin drive.

With the loss of his partner Richard Tann, it seemed it would be difficult for Sotto to get back on his feet. In an interview with the Philippine Tatler, he said, ?In the last two years, I?ve had to wear two hats, Richard?s and mine. It doubled the things I have to attend to. But it has also opened my eyes. I learned things about myself?that I can also do things I couldn?t do before.?

Sotto said that with the support of friends and family, he was able to survive the grief, the loss and the painful adjustment.

This time he teams up with international bag and jewelry designer Bea Valdes, who has now added ?mother? to her many hats. Valdes will provide her own arty Byzantine touch to Sotto?s fashion extravaganza.

Sotto?s inspiration in this collection is Alhambra, which literally translates into ?red? in the Arabic language. The images it conjured and the senses it stirred up provided the peg for Sotto?s artistic creations.

The designer, known and admired for his signature long tresses, said he has always been awed by the fact that this (Moorish) culture invaded Spain, thrived and survived the centuries in Alhambra without changing the rest of Spanish culture and tradition around it. ?For this collection, I was inspired by the contrast of this place that was influenced by this foreign culture,? he said.

Alhambra, a Moorish palace and fortress, sits on the picturesque hills, southeast of the city of Granada in the southern part of Spain. Formerly the residence of Muslim kings, it is now a major tourist spot, valued for its exquisite Islamic architecture.

With such influences playing on the designer?s mind, expect to imbibe the lavishness of a rich European culture dotted by Mid-Eastern ethnicity. Prepare to be heady with a show of exquisite workmanship in a modern arabesque-themed production.

To be held at the Makati Shangri-La ballroom Oct. 29, the show, which is yet untitled (?It might just be my name,? Sotto said), will showcase 50 creations divided into three suites? daywear, cocktails and eveningwear.

For the show, Sotto will use 30 models, half of whom have been undergoing a training workshop under Ariel Lozada every Sunday for almost two months at the Steps studio of Sofia Elizalde.

?Every time I have a show, I make sure I train young models,? Sotto said.

For the hair and makeup, he will rely on good friend and top stylist Patrick Rosas. Hairpieces will come from Bergmann?s.

Chit Lijauco, managing editor of Philippine Tatler, has known of Inno Sotto since her college days through the designer?s sister. In the lifestyle beat for more than 20 years, she has followed with great interest the career of the ?Prince of Philippine fashion.?