Legendary Filipino fashion designer Jose “Pitoy” Moreno died yesterday at 2:48pm in a Manila hospital due to cardiac arrest, Binibining Pilipinas Charities announced yesterday. Moreno, who served as a member of Binibining Pilipinas Charities’ executive committee, was 92 years old.
Known as the “Fashion Czar of Asia,” Moreno designed clothes for most First Ladies of the Philippines, several U.S. First Ladies including Nancy Reagan, and even Princess Margaret of Britain.
He has also been featured in international fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
During his career, Moreno specialized in creating Maria Clara gowns, the Philippines’ traditional dress more popularly associated with former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos.
In 2009, then president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo included Moreno in a list of nominees for the prestigious national artist award but the Supreme Court invalidated this decision because Moreno and three other artists had not been shortlisted by the selection committee.
Moreno is survived by his sister Virginia Moreno and nephews and nieces.
