Non-traditional bride
Today’s brides are fashioning their walk down the aisle with chic statements of individuality. These statements of individuality are made in their wedding dresses (simple white gown, fashion-forward forecasts or haute designer wear) to their choice of location (traditional church wedding or destination). Their identity is also seen in the choice of veil, and colors other than traditional white. They go further by choosing to carry either a bouquet or a stem, or wearing either heirloom pieces, fine jewelry, statement accessories or costume jewelry.
Non-traditional women have a different outlook and concept in styling their bridal wear. These are women who have been molded by the current times.
What makes today’s bride choose modern statement pieces over classic pieces?
First, thematic weddings turn fantasies into realities. The bride’s imagination — whether she is a queen, princess, fairy, etc. — is kept alive and her fairy tale comes true. This sets the direction to a dreamy world of cinematic appeal where the accessories are of stellar attraction.
Modern accessories designer Farah Abu says, “Usually, brides who use my accessories want earrings and head pieces with a pop of color.”
Second, practicality. Brides nowadays don’t want to spend big on jewelry or even on a gown. They would rather splurge on their honeymoon or travel, which would allow them to create a treasure trove of lifetime memories.
Third, some brides want to set a trend or make a statement. In recent years, fashionistas, purveyors of style, models, tastemakers, personalities and celebrities have influenced the brides of today to be fashion forward. To be on-the-radar or spot-on trend can be nothing more than pure chic. Today, contemporary bridal wear is no longer a sub-category of fashion in general.
Lastly, it’s a matter of choice for the bride. The new bride is all about the confidence of “I, me and myself” wherein there are “no rules but my rules.” She is unbound by tradition. She is an empowered woman with high self-esteem, beaming with confidence as she stands out.
“I always believe that we should accessorize to stand out and not to blend in, otherwise, it would have no purpose,” Farah shares.
Farah believes that in the end, the bride should be given the freedom of self-expression where she radiantly shines in what she wears, with a style that she can proudly call her own. After all, she is the bride.
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Farah Abu, formerly of G.L.A.M. or Great Love for Accessories Matters, has showcased her statement pieces at Manila FAME in 2014. They were also featured in My City, My SM, My Crafts in 2015. The brand is also a constant participant at the celebrated ArteFino trade show.
Farah’s statement pieces are indeed showstoppers as the brand has gone on the radar of local and international celebrities. For one, Catriona Gray wore Farah Abu accessories with her national costume for the Binibining Pilipinas 2018 pageant. Celebrity and style icon Heart Evangelista carried a Farah Abu clutch at last year’s Harper’s Bazaar Icons Party during New York Fashion Week. International stars who were spotted wearing Farah Abu pieces included RnB artist Ashanti in her music video Early in the Morning, Polish-American model and actress Joanna Krupa and American singer-songwriter Mya.
Currently, the brand is making a modest presence in both local and international landscape. It is one of the designer brands under For the Stars Fashion House in Hollywood, California and it is carried by Tiany Chambard boutique by Jean-Pierre Chambard in St. Germain in Paris.
New York-based website Shoplaro will soon carry Farah Abu pieces. The brand is also available at Goshopia website in Dubai, a supplier to buyers from Jakarta, Singapore, India, Hong Kong and Australia.
In the Philippines, Farah Abu is available at Tesoro’s, Shangri-La Makati Lobby shop, pinas-sadya.com and soon at Rustan’s Makati.
