DAYS BEFORE THE merry and magical month of June, the period mostly and traditionally devoted for weddings, the Philippine fashion scene is agog in parading the latest sartorial bridal spirit.
At the Foramall in Tagaytay City, a parade of wedding dresses from a bundle of designers was a sight to behold recently where professional mannequins were given time and space to sashay and display their nuptial walk in “Tagaytay Bridal Expo,” a CALABARZON glitzy presentation to usher in the June Bride season.
Although Ignacio Caluyo, also known as Iggie Caluyo of the Exhibitions Trade Shows Advocacy Campaigns and Lifestyle Events, the organizer of the collections, begged to disagree. “Bridal requirements are all-year-round,” said.
The showcase aimed to present the latest amazing, diverse designs to choose from in matrimonial celebration where the economy of the occasion is the prime target.
“We make sure that the market is ready to adapt to the situation of wedding preparations considering budget constraints in these hard times,” quipped Erick Valena, one of the featured fashion makers from Quezon Province.
For instance, Erick had to conceptualize logical and economical designs for the whole entourage.
“We see to it that the client gets what they envision in minimal costs including the gowns for the flower girls or suits for the ring bearers,” shared Valena.
Tagaytay City was a gathering of the bests in the region showing their elegant and unique style in dressmaking.
It was indeed a testimony that regional wear making is the in-thing in the world of fashion.
“This is a compendium of outstanding designers, most of them new and aspiring, from CALABARZON who must be given the breaks in bridal fashion,” Iggie described.
On the first day of the exhibition, little girls and young women were paraded with their kiddie wedding outfits and bridesmaids’ attire.
“We had to compartmentalize the showing of the gowns of the entourage in a two-day event,” recalled Erick who had to go back and forth Lopez, Quezon where he has a fashion house and Muntinlupa where his atelier is to finalize his set of clothes to showcase in Cavite.
“I also consulted my mentor and friend Albert Figueras who lives in Makati City for last-minute preparations,” qualified Valena.
To continue decentralizing dressmaking from imperial Manila and regional fashion art lords over it, Caluyo said, he is scheduled to mount fashion shows, June Bride concept or not, in various key cities in the country.