WATCH: Nadine Lustre, celebrities in bridal fashion show
MANILA, Philippines — Touted as the “biggest, grandest, most star-studded” bridal show in the Philippines, “Marry Me at Marriott,” happened on July 30 at Marriott Manila Hotel.
The biggest names in the local bridal industry— Leo Almodal, Albert Andrada, Jun Escario, Michael Leyva and Veluz — presented their special collections at the makeshift runway at the hallway outside the Marriott Grand Ballroom, the biggest in the country.
Kapuso actress Sanya Lopez opened the show for Almodal Masterpiece, Leo Almodal’s bridal brand, in an off-shoulder ballgown heavily encrusted with Swarovskis.
A pageant-gown genius, Almodal enlisted Miss Earth 2013 Jamie Herrell, Miss Earth 2015 Angelia Ong, Miss Earth Air 2016 Michelle Gomez of Colombia and Binibining Pilipinas 2019 finalist Hannah Arnold as his beauty queen muses.
Kapamilya actress Arci Munoz, with a crown, closed Almodal’s suite in a cap-sleeved column gown with train also heavily embellished with crystals.
Andrada had a hunky angel, Kurt Bondad, descend from the escalator to herald his “Illuminati” collection. Socialite Tessa Prieto-Valdez and supermodel Marina Benipayo walked for the designer made famous by his unforgettable blue gown for Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach.
Acclaimed Kapuso leading lady Lovi Poe was Andrada’s bridal muse.
“Lovi is always elegant in my clothes. Her beauty, so Filipina at that, adds more sparkle to my creations, be it Filipiniana or contemporary gowns,” Andrada said.
As a Michael Leyva bride, Nadine Lustre was described by the fast-rising designer as “Beautiful. Perfection. Divine.” Wearing a crystallized creation with a dangerously low neckline, the “Indak” actress was a sultry sight as she led the parade of Leyva’s vivacious brides.
Jun Escario did not rely on star power to present his glamorous “Old Hollywood” bridal gowns.
“I am always fascinated with the 1920s, 1930s and the 1950s era,” said the Cebuano designer. “The clothes were real Spanish laces and Italian tulle. I did have brocades and heavier duchess satin fabrics, but I lined them with lightweight gauze to make them lighter.”
Veluz, the bridal designer that is a favorite among bridal designers, showed why she is the silent powerhouse in the lucrative wedding industry. Binibining Pilipinas World 2009 Marie Ann Umali was radiant in a bustier gown with a long-sleeved sheer overlay.
Veluz also created bridal finery that looked like vintage dresses. Truly astonishing and commercial at the same time, the potent combination that any bridal designer covets.
The audience, composed mostly of the socialite set, gasped as one celebrity after another sashayed down the runway.
Sanya Lopez, however, is the lone single woman on the lineup. Nadine Lustre is in a relationship with matinee idol James Reid. Arci Munoz is committed to businessman Anthony Ang. Lovi Poe is dating Montgomery Blencowe, the English film producer she attended the Royal Ascott with. Should these lovely leading ladies get married anytime soon, we now know how beautiful they will look like walking down the aisle. — Video from Facebook/Marriott Manila, editing by Kat Leandicho
