Prelude to a kiss (Conclusion)

Uptown/Downtown celebrates prom season by featuring elegant ensembles from fashion designers Luis Delos Santos, Marc Rancy and Delby Bragais.

Luis Delos Santos

Luis Delos Santos’ inspirations for his prom collection are Audrey Hepburn’s earlier films Roman Holiday and Sabrina. 

“I always think that it must be such a relief for students to get a chance to be in a social setting where they can mingle with their classmates without having to wear their uniforms. It is also the season of romance where the ladies get to dance with their handsome dates. In this collection, I made slim bodice combined with full circular skirts and ball gowns using feminine and luxurious fabrics such as satin, taffeta and lace that express the romantic side of couture,” he says.

Delos Santos advises his clients to take stock of their figure and hair color. He says they should study how to enhance their assets and diffuse their less-than-stellar features. Fabrics that are soft and light go well with plus-size body types.

He adds, “I always instruct prom-goers to avoid too much hair volume and dark eye shadow, which makes girls look mature. Nude shoes are perfect for any dress color and they also make one’s legs look longer if one is wearing a short dress. Lastly, it is important to accessorize properly. If the gown is already heavily embellished, then one must keep jewelry to a minimum.”

(Tel. nos. 0915-201-6157 or 729-0590.)

Marc Rancy

For his prom gowns, Marc Rancy gets his inspiration from the vintage red carpet glamour. “I was always in awe seeing the great Valentino gowns grace the red carpet. Valentino captured the industry in making the color scarlet red synonymous with his name.”

In making Valentino-inspired gowns, Rancy wishes to take his clients to a place where they are put on a pedestal, and even just for a night, feel as if they were the stars on the red carpet with spectators admiring them from a distance. 

“I advise ladies to always know what their best assets are. If they have a long neck with prominent collarbones, they should feel free to show them off by wearing a strapless ensemble. It is important to make sure the silhouette of the dress is appropriate for one’s figure,” he says, adding that wearing too much makeup is a no-no. But a ready smile is always welcome.

He adds, “If you’re wearing a dress that has a deep neckline, try to skip your thirst for a low back. A little peek-a-boo is nice and a lot sexier than having to literally bare it all.”

(Ground Floor, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City. Tel. nos. 804-0300 or 473-0506. Rancy’s satellite office is located at 119 West 23rd St. New York, USA. Tel. no. (212)-242-7321.)

Delby Bragais

“One of the first things I ask when a new client comes to me for a prom gown is, ‘What school are you from?’ Some schools are more conservative than others and have stricter guidelines regarding prom fashion,” begins Delby Bragais.

Bragais also realizes that, even though every prom girl wants to be the belle of the ball, not all parents have the financial capacity to afford expensive ball gowns. She advises young girls to be creative and make do with what their parents can afford. 

A few more tips to consider from Bragais: Choose styles that flatter your figure. “At this point, most teens have bodies that are still blossoming into womanhood and most  have not worn a lot of  evening wear, so my advice for those who plan to purchase their off-the-rack prom outfits is to take the time to try on different styles and stick to those that look the best on them and they are comfortable wearing.” 

For those who will have prom outfits specially designed by a fashion designer, Bragais suggests that they should not be pressured into having to “keep up with the Joneses.” “Do not wear an outfit that goes beyond what is ‘prom and age appropriate.’ Realize that hair and makeup is just as important as the outfit. Do not think that those five-inch shoes are worth the pain they will cause you — you will be limping like a lame frog the rest of the night!”

  (The North Road Image & Fashion Group, G/F, South of Market Residences, 26th St. cor. 11th Ave., Bonifacio Global City. Tel. nos.

215-2451 or 0917-811-7992.)

(Visit www.uptowndowntownsite.blogspot.com for more articles.)

Photography by JOANNE ZAPANTA-ANDRADA • Hair and makeup by RAZ RIMOR 

(0927-757-9488) • Art direction by REM DIVINO • Model: MALU MELLO • Shot on location

at Maxim’s Hotel Resorts World Manila • Special thanks to Cris Cruz and Joy Andrade