Ronald Ian Laing (pronounced Lane) was born in Manila on June 19, 1915. He was detained with his mother, Mercedes, a Spanish citizen, and brother Eric at the Sto. Tomas Interment Camp during World War II. Listed as a British POW, Laing went to San Francisco after Liberation and was mentored by Eddie Cavagnero, florist to Hollywood stars, who eventually became his long-time partner.
When he returned to Manila in 1957, Laing set up his famous Ronnie’s Flower Shop on A. Mabini in Ermita in 1957. By the late ’60s, he had become the style dictator of the city’s American ladies and Manila’s elite. All parties, weddings and home interiors had to be done by him. Corsages and gentlemen’s lapel carnations had to be ordered from Ronnie’s, including funeral wreaths, with his trademark of imported gold stickers spelling out the name of the deceased.
For his services to the former First Lady, then President Marcos granted Ronald Ian Laing Filipino citizenship on June 11, 1978.
Manila’s style maven shared a home with Cavagnero on Mango Avenue, Sta. Mesa, Manila. The house was built on a sprawling lot with apartments built at the back for Laing’s employees. It was in his home where he hosted intimate but casual dinners for his closest friends. On these occasions, he would buy plain white plates and have them sent to Hong Kong to be hand-painted with designs that matched the tablecloth or the theme of his party. None of the preparations was ostentatious; everything was done in understated elegance. Before they became fashionable, sinamay, driftwood, bamboo, ginger flowers, large gabi leaves and other local materials found their way into Laing’s designs.
His parties were never catered; all the dishes were prepared in his kitchen. Imelda Marcos and her Blue Ladies attended Laing’s bigger parties and so did the creme de la creme of Manila.
READ MORE @ INQUIRER.NET
0 Responses to Imelda Marcos personal Florist and Stylist