Eyes on the bride
MANILA, Philippines - When Tory Burch announced her engagement to LVMH’s chief executive Pierre-Yves Roussel earlier this year, a string of high-profile industry engagements soon followed for 2016. From French blogger Garance Doré and her new muse, jazz musician Chris Norton; Victoria’s Secret Angel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and action star Jason Statham; to Nicole Warne (Gary Pepper Girl herself) and Glossier’s Emily Weiss (Intothegloss.com), both soon to be wed to their respective Instagram-husbands-to-be.
They say planning a wedding isn’t always matrimony-made-easy even for the most laid-back of brides — what more for the exacting women of fashion? Marrying into the LVMH fold, one can only imagine Tory Burch’s ultimate dilemma: should she choose a Nantucket-inspired gown of her own design? A woven leather corset from Nicolas Ghesquière at Louis Vuitton? Or a boxy Céline knit in optic whites by Phoebe Philo?
For a set of future newlyweds much closer to home, YStyle checks in with four of Manila’s most stylish 2016 brides-to-be in what we’re touting as the year of the fashionable wedding.
On the journey of the dress, “dream” ceremonies from childhood, and their (non) relationships with Pinterest; we talk to Preview magazine’s fashion director Daryl Chang, actress Isabelle Daza, Halo + Halo product developer Cara Sumabat and blogger Tricia Gosingtian for this exclusive tying-the-knot Q&A.
Daryl Chang
What does set a fashion girl apart when it comes to wedding planning? “Multitasking,” shares Daryl Chang, “between eds for Preview, my rakets, and planning for the wedding, the world doesn’t have to stop just because I’m getting married.”
Known most notably for the slickest fashion editorials you’ll find in Preview magazine and a forward sense of style, Daryl is set for a ceremony in Cebu with fiancé Mano Lotho (press and communications officer for local luxury purveyor Homme et Femme). The couple is planning a food-hall-style reception catered by a select group of hometown favorite restaurants, “It’s food, fashion and fun. It wouldn’t be my wedding without all three!” Top-billing “creative formal” for their guests’ dress code (think sneakers worn with gowns), Daryl is dead set on enjoying her big day: “No program, no same-day video edits; just a dance floor, a great DJ, and free flowing drinks for an awesome party with friends.”
On her “phantom” wedding rings, her custom pair of Casadei bridal shoes, and the designer she chose for her wedding gown, Daryl Chang checks in for a quick tell-all.
YSTYLE: How does your certified “fashion girl” status impact your wedding planning? Does it inform your decisions?
DARYL CHANG: I think more than being a fashion girl, it’s being an editor that helped in filtering out the noise. It’s more of that training — booking my team with the same precision as I try to apply in my editorials. I’m sure of what I’ll have going in, and what I’ll get going out. The choices are whittled down quicker without losing sleep. And decisions are unswayed even if a better peg pops up on my Pinterest.
How did you find “the dress”?
I didn’t have to look. I already knew how my dress was going to look in my head even before I met my fiancé. I knew before I started with Preview that it was going to be designer Cary Santiago (we go a long way back) who would make it come to life. Regardless of the fact that my dress is as minimal and as streamlined as it could possibly be — a first for maximalist Cary (laughs) — I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Can you tell us the story behind your Casadei customs? Was ready-to-wear ever an option?
I’m actually always online — window shopping for shoes — so yes, something off the digital shoe rack was definitely an option.
My Casadei’s are a gift from Ben Chan. It’s a design from the house archive but custom made according to my specifics: matte leather with hardware (buckles and zips) and the blade heel finished in pure white. Ben did say that Casadei’s elevated height would be the perfect complement to my Cary gown — and seeing my one-off pair now, a sinuously curved, architecturally strapped, six inch beauty — I would have to agree that yes, it actually is.
Is there a story behind the ring?
My fiancé designed my engagement ring. It’s a band that’s molded around the diamond, as opposed to the usual outward setting. The stone is embedded inside, inconspicuously. The ring is hammered, ripped in the surface effectively blending both metal and mineral so it looks like there’s no diamond there at all. We’ve even started calling it “the phantom.” I loved it so much that when he proposed to me, I said: “OMG I love the ring!” well before I had the chance to say yes (laughs).
Who do you think is going to be more of a ‘zilla eventually, between your two dear friends – Liz or Vince Uy?
Well, I just know that they each have their own defined aesthetic and they both know what they want and neither would settle for anything less.
Last question, you’re probably having the most well-attended “fashion wedding” of the season. Who’s outfit are you most excited about?
It’s my wedding, so could I please please be excused and be allowed to say mine? (Laughs)
Tricia Gosingtian
Reading www.triciagosingtian.com through the years (incepted in 2010) almost feels like you’re seeing the author grow up through a screen — blogger Tricia Gosingtian is set to jump another life milestone with her January wedding with fiancé RG Gabunada. Still in 2017, if you’re going to be technical about it.
“It’s going to be very ‘me’ in a way,” shares Tricia, “very simple and super classic.” Tricia talks about a partnership when it comes to planning for her nuptials, working with the things both she and RG are passionate about. “It’ll be a surprise as to what those things are, but you’ll know soon enough! For the meantime, I’m still in the process of putting things together.”
Are we to expect a different tack when it comes to the future of her blog? Stay tuned for Tricia Gets Married.
YSTYLE: What would you say makes planning a wedding different for a fashion gal?
TRICIA GOSINGTIAN: I feel like my personal style is so established already that it somehow hurts to compromise if I can’t get what I want. Especially if it’s a wedding supplier that I’ve been eyeing for a long time. I’m really particular when it comes to deciding the smallest details, I’ve found I could easily lose myself in the planning process.
What’s your relationship like with Pinterest?
I was obsessed with it for the first month, but then, I slowed down after pinning and deciding on an initial mood board — which I sent to my wedding planner. Nowadays, I don’t check it as often as I used to but it’s still helpful when I need to explain certain things to people. It’s visual, images — I find — are always helpful.
Is this your childhood “dream” wedding?
It’s similar to what I’ve always envisioned since I was younger, but of course it’s also different because my fiancé is now part of the picture. He’s not as particular as I am when it comes to ironing out the details but I always take his decisions into consideration when it comes to the final say. I’m not the only one getting married after all, there’s two of us!
What’s your journey been like, finding “the dress”?
I’ve always admired Vania Romoff’s understated elegance. Even before I got engaged, I was already following her bridal and couture work on Instagram. Style-wise, I’m definitely not looking at anything too over-the-top because it’s just not my personality!
Are we to expect more “Tricia Got Married” style of blogging from you?
Of course! I’m so excited to blog about family life, especially since I have yet to learn the proper skills to pull it off. My journey as a blogger has always been one of discovery and growth ever since I was younger. Now that I’m older and entering a new stage in life, things can only get more challenging than it already is but at least, I’ll have someone with me now. 24/7.
Cara Sumabat
There always a hint of rawness to everything Cara Sumabat does. A sense of effortless ease, a disconnected sort of downtown cool — always timeless, and you can see it in everything she does. Be it her cult local accessory label Halo + Halo, her line of anti-It leather bags Wabisabi — or you’ll see it in the wedding she’s planning with her fiancé, cinematographer Marco Limjap.
On what to expect for the ceremony: “There’s going to be an absence of the bride and groom,” Cara jokingly shares, “but really. Photos and videos of the both of us aren’t going to be played or put around for everyone to see. We want our guests to feel romance, without the direct association with us, or rather, our faces.”
On her original plan of wearing all black down the aisle (she’s going classic Barong Tagalog instead), to her anti-Pinterest stance, and to her wedding non-negotiables, Cara Sumabat bares all.
YSTYLE: We always used to joke about you walking down the aisle in the most minimal of gowns shaded in vantablack, but are you having the same wedding you’ve always thought you were going to have?
CARA SUMABAT: I would say it’s 65 percent of what I’ve imagined. Of course the rest is the contribution of my partner. To be honest, I couldn’t have told you that I could see myself marrying someone in a Barong Tagalog, but now, it makes perfect sense.
Thoughts on Pinterest?
By principle, I’m anti-Pinterest. (Laughs)
How did you find “the dress”?
I guess I always knew what I wanted, but I was told to be “open” and see what else is out there. But then one day, when I had less than six months till the wedding, I said “Screw it, I’ll get what I really want.” And that, I did.
Does working in fashion inform or complicate the wedding planning process?
I just know comparing with my friends that I’m actually pretty laid-back when it comes to the whole wedding thing. I just know what I want, and that’s what I work towards. It’s honestly easier for me since I’m very, very specific. Maybe it makes me more stubborn since I’m very particular about the complete look. A color scheme — or rather, a non-color — was the first thing I knew I wanted for my guests.
What was your No. 1 non-negotiable that you just had to have for the wedding?
My shoes.
What’s the other one thing you could have done without, during this whole process?
Flowers. They’re like gold bars!
Thoughts on keeping it strictly DIY for your wedding?
Nope. DIY results in a crafty vibe that doesn’t exude class. I imagine it’s something you’d regret 30 years from now.
Isabelle Daza
Isabelle Daza is one of those rare celebrities who is actually funny on Snapchat. Flitting between Ride Revolution spin classes and telenovela taping schedules on the regular, she has that charismatic levity that translates through the app. I mean, let’s be real. We’ve all hit unfollow on that one friend who snaps anything and everything (read: a selfie per minute).
The beautiful actress, certified It-girl and fashion darling (a favorite of designer Vania Romoff and Martin Bautista) has comedic chops — and she knows how to keep it real in her most unguarded moments. For her 2016 wedding to fiancé Adrien Semblat (country manager for Adidas Philippines), intimacy is the key word.
YSTYLE: Very briefly, can you tell us about your wedding plans?
ISABELLE DAZA: We’re getting married in Italy, in the Tuscany region. We’re having pizza from scratch and some local wines from the region. It’s going to be simple and fun — great food, good entertainment. Intimate is the word.
As an actress surrounded by red carpet dressing and your favorite designers, how was your approach to wedding planning? Are you hiring a local wedding planner?
No, I’m planning everything myself because I’m a control freak! (Laughs) I’m trying to be two steps ahead of everything and stay close to the budget because I don’t want to be a bridezilla on my wedding day.
Are you having the wedding you’ve always dreamt of?
I’m having the wedding I want. (Laughs)
How did you find the dress?
My cousin Martine (Cajucom) and I flew to Paris and Italy to look at the venue and search for my dress. I found it fairly quickly at a shop in Paris called Metal Flaque right off of rue St. Honoré. I tried on four different gowns before Martine handed me a gown and she said “This doesn’t look like much on the rack, but try it” and when I wore the gown, we both turned our heads sideways and both our eyes got bigger. My heart was palpitating and I shrieked, “This is it!”
It’s a very simple dress, nothing too big or too long.
Your set of bridesmaids is practically a shoe-in for “most beautiful entourage” for the next century or so. Who would you say has been #EasyToWorkWith?
First off, I have four maids-of-honor: Ava Daza, Jess Wilson, Martine Cajucom and Georgina Wilson — and they’re all divas! They all want their own style of dresses so my bridesmaids are all going to be mismatched. But it’s fine, they’re family and I don’t really mind.
Last question, are you going to be on Snapchat right before you walk the aisle?
Maybe, maybe not.
