(Conclusion)
Uptown/Downtown concludes its feature on the Bridal Designers Group collection with a feature on BDG’s final batch of members.
Delby Bragais
Delby Bragais, AICI CIP, is a fashion designer and internationally certified image consultant. She is a product of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines.
Bragais is known for classic designs with an edgy, quirky feel. Her design silhouettes are simple and close-to-the-body, using rich, luxurious fabrics. Her style motto is “Celebrate your Individuality!”
Bragais presents a champagne-colored wedding gown in tulle lace embellished with pearls, flat beads and cut glass.
(G/F South of Market Residences, 26th St. corner 11th Ave., Bonifacio Global City. Tel. Nos. 556-6141 and 0916-2227177. Visit www.delbybragais.com.)
Yurie dela Luna
Yurie dela Luna, a graduate of Bachelor of Fine Arts major in Advertising from FEATI University, joins a brood of young designers and injects fresh and modern ideas to the fashion world. Being new and young is a selling point especially to young brides and fashionistas who are always in search of something new.
Dela Luna believes in leading by the principles of elegance and simplicity, a principle that is shown in his classic silhouettes as well as in the aggressiveness of his avant-garde pieces. He cautions that the idea of using nouveau aesthetics can sometimes be a disaster if not conceptualized very well so careful planning and execution is a must. Dela Luna’s lines are devoid of extreme pageantry as he embraces clear-cut statements.
For this feature, Dela Luna presents an off-white ball gown silhouette in duchesse satin and layers of soft tulle are used on a classic ‘50s inspired bridal gown. Crystal and glass beads run infinitely on the bodice giving it the sparkle and glitter for glamour.
(1509 Maria Clara St. Sampaloc, Manila. Tel. No. 0927-3923549.)
Cor Sunglao-Kho
Sunglao-Kho finished her fashion course at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines in 2007. She is now part of the school’s senior faculty, having been teaching advanced patternmaking since 2008. She opened her shop September of the same year, selling mostly RTW, supplying to department stores and several boutiques.
In late 2009, having experienced an influx of formal wear and bridal clients, Sunglao-Kho shifted her fashion career path and turned her atelier into a gown shop. Since then, she has been building a steady clientele by participating in bridal fairs and mainly through referrals from existing clients. Currently, she is the appointed secretary of BDG-Philippines.
Sunglao-Kho’s offering is a fully beaded sweetheart bodice with semi-dropped waist and cascading ruffled skirt with various textures and fabrics. The gown has an illusion neckline with back embroidery detail.
(462 Barangka Drive, Mandaluyong City. Tel. Nos. 0917-5347165 and 533-3957.
E-mail cor_sunglao@yahoo.com and visit www.corsunglao.com.)
Curitthy Manzanero
Young designer Curitthy Manzanero aims for wearable timeless elegance — clothes that are meant to look beautiful for decades. Manzanero graduated AB Communication from the Ateneo de Manila University and afterwards trained in fashion construction techniques at Slim’s Fashion and Arts School and the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. She tends to design with a story in mind, a character she wants to create. Films, fiction, nature and textures fill her library of inspirations. Her heart for our local materials, nurtured by her partnership with top abaca handicrafts company, Shelmed Cottage Treasures and Philippine Textile Research Institute, is evident in her eco-wear designs.
What really powers Manzanero’s creativity is the connection she makes with her clients. Her made-to-order designs are pegged to feel like second skin — echoing the nature of her patrons, as they are the designer’s interpretations of the wearer’s personality and beauty.
(Pelbel Building 1, 2019 Shaw Boulevard, Oranbo, Pasig City.
Tel. Nos. 0925-8982839 and 0917-9183938. E-mail curitthydesigns@gmail.com and follow curitthycouture on Instagram.)
Marc Rancy
Marc Rancy is a Paris-based designer finishing his master’s degree in Fashion Management in Istituto Marangoni and IÉSEG School of Management-Paris.
Rancy’s style is feminine with a touch of contemporary detailing of cuts and trim and has always used the svelte form of a woman. He features a mermaid-cut ivory-colored taffeta bridal gown with soft tulle gathering on the waist and embroidered back.
(E-mail mrancy@luxewearintl.com or visit www.marcrancy.com.)
Jazel Sy
Her love for fashion and designing bridal gowns are what led Jazel Sy to put up her own fashion atelier in 2006. Sy is a graduate of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, with a major in Fashion Designing and Merchandise.
For this editorial, Sy presents a tulle lace gown with illusion lace bateau neckline, off-shoulder sleeves, a fitted bodice and a flowing skirt with a court train, which is a reflection of the Italian Renaissance where the designer got her inspiration.
(Carrenzel Mansion Suite B 1538 San Gregorio St. corner Figueroa, Paco, Manila. Tel. Nos. 564-3201 and 0917-8888695. E-mail jazelsy@yahoo.com
or visit www.jazelsy.com.)
Marc Taug
Mac Taug is a 28-year-old designer who hails from Maguindanao. He is a big fan of indigenous fabrics and he incorporates it to his modern fashion ideas, which sets him apart to other young designers.
Taug obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Cotabato State Polytechnic College and his Basic Fashion Designing in Fashion Institute of the Philippines.
Taug’s touches of opulence and modernity are very visible in his bridal gowns, which best describes as regal and practical. Here, he features a bodice in pleated organza over satin lining with heart-shaped neckline and froufrou volume skirt in layers of organza.
(113 B, 13th Avenue, Barangay Socorro, Murphy, Cubao.
Tel. Nos. 0977-1417591 and 0905-2115212. E-mail mackybe@yahoo.com.)
Edwin Uy
Edwin Uy started making gowns in 1996. Since then, he has dressed up various celebrities in the local arena. A favorite designer of performance artists and beauty contestants, Uy’s national costume creations have received acclaim in Miss Earth, Mutya ng Pilipinas and Binibining Pilipinas pageants.
On this feature, Uy presents an off-white gown with turtleneck embellished with lace, cut beads, Swarovski crystals and handmade crochet flowers to give it an eclectic look. The use of crochet and classic lace in a modern cut yet classic in silhouette gives it that eclectic look.
(537 Boni Ave. ext., Brgy New Zaniga, Mandaluyong City. Tel. Nos. 532-9369 and 0920-2123132. E-mail euy888@yahoo.com or visit www.edwinuy.com.)
Photography by JOANNE ZAPANTA-ANDRADA • Makeup and hairstyling by JACKIE RIVERA • Models: ERIKO MALABANAN and JULIANNE FLORES of Yeoh Models and VINA OPINIANO