Something romantic and modern for today's weddings
There is something so romantic about celebrating life’s biggest milestones in modern renditions of classic Filipino attire—it speaks to our heritage, our proud fashion traditions and the warmth of Philippine culture. Kultura Atelier recently launched its designer collections at the bridal show Kasal, hosted by SM Aura and co-presented with Mastercard.
Kultura’s in-house brands Raffaella for bridalwear, EN Barong Filipino for the groom and groomsmen, Nuevo Ystilo for the bridal entourage, Little Miss Lacey for flower girls and Aurea South Sea Pearls were joined by 10 established and emerging designers whose bridal aesthetic ranged from the classic Filipiniana silhouettes to the more edgy and avant-garde. The modern bridal party has so many options today, and Filipiniana has truly evolved to suit everyone’s taste and self-expression.
Jor-el Espina collaborated with Palawan pearls for his pearl-studded collection, while Philip Rodriguez embroidered flowers on a background pattern of solihiya. His cocktail dresses recall a show-stopping ‘50s silhouette. Good Luck Humans continued to play with smocking and embellishment for an edgy look for today’s bride and groom. Harold + Harry gave the classic barong a twist, worn over panels of beige and embroidered fabric. Agsam featured white separates with cropped tops and trousers with pleated details.
Daryl Maat carried his popular childlike embroidery designs over to playful and fun wedding dresses and barongs, accented perfectly with whimsical bags by Zarah Juan. Ken Samudio presented vibrantly colored cocktail dresses while Martin Uy also focused on color and embellishment, with hand-formed flowers blooming on separates. Stealing the show were the flower girls by Little Miss Lacey, including a white number for Scarlet Belo. Raffaella focused on the more classic Filipiniana silhouettes, showing that the terno, Maria Clara and other Filipino styles never go out of fashion. The designers collaborated with accessory makers for a complete and polished look.
Meanwhile, the DTI Bagong Pilipinas Wedding Fair has just returned for its second run, bringing together more than a hundred Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises to offer some of the best of our homegrown products and services for couples and event planners. Held over three days at the SMX Aura Premier Convention Center, the fair opened with a bridal show by three designers representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
For Luzon, designer Ranel Espaldon presented classic bridal silhouettes with off-the-shoulder, bustier and spaghetti strap necklines. Adam Balasa, representing the Visayas, focused on sculptural shapes and detained embellishment. James O’Briant came up with a Muslim-inspired collection for the region of Mindanao. Apart from the three designers featured in the show, there were many gowns on display at the booths which also promoted piña and other local fibers, barongs for the men, jewelry and bags to complete the bridal look.
The ceremonial opening event was led by (from left) fashion designer Avel Bacudio, fashion designer Jor-El Espina, jewelry designer Tim Tam Ong, make-up artist Patrick Rosas, Happy Concepts owner and chef Happy Ongpauco, Enderun Colleges president Dr. Demetrio P. Salipsip, Jr., DTI Sec. Cristina A. Roque, DTI Asec. Nylah Rizza Bautista, Casa Mercedes owner Monchet Olives, Cabalen owner Maritel Nievera, fashion designer Lulu Tan Gan, fashion designer Dennis Lustico, My Closet Manager owner Genevieve Yalung, Spruce Design owner Pat Pastelero, and florist and business owner Robert Blancaflor
The DTI fairs are known for providing a platform for Filipino entrepreneurs, many of whom are from the provinces, to expand their reach and offer their creative wedding solutions all under one roof. The DTI Wedding Fair was conceptualized as part of the vision of DTI Secretary Ma. Cristina A. Roque, together with Assistant Secretary Nylah Bautista. Since the wedding industry in the Philippines is a vibrant and flourishing market, the DTI supports creative endeavors from bridal fashion and event styling, to catering and floral arrangements, photography, stationary, music, scents and giveaways.
The DTI Bagong Pilipinas Wedding Fair makes it easier for couples to incorporate Filipino craftsmanship and design to make their weddings even more special, connecting them with suppliers they might not normally meet. Apart from the wedding showcase, those who attended the fair learned more about the DTI programs that support entrepreneurs in growing their business. Even visitors not planning on getting married were offered a range of leather goods, stylish crocheted bags, customizable scents, even bottles of liqueur that could have the couple’s name printed on it.