Classic weddings

CEBU, Philippines — Three bridalwear presentations headlined this year’s holding of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino’s “Weddings at the Waterfront” annual bridal fair.

Held at the Grand Pacific Ballroom of the hotel on October 6 to 7, the gathering brought over a hundred of Cebu’s top wedding suppliers together in one venue – each presenting a revue of services and highlights that are sure to make “the most important day of one’s life” truly memorable.

The bridalwear presentations drew the spotlight on the latest by a number of Cebu’s up-and-coming talents and showcased the in-season masterworks of the country’s celebrated designers.

Collectively, the three fashion shows were a peek into the creative sights of the contemporary fashion designers – creative approaches without snubbing generations-revered tradition.

“La Violette”

“La Violette” showcased wedding day designs by the members of the Cebu Circle of Fashion Creatives, a group composed of designers Edwin Alba, Rei Escario, Bree Esplanada, Alejandro Godinez Jr., Pinky Magalona, Mel Maria, Lord Maturan, Manuel Tomaque, Mike Yapching and Rey Humberto Villegas.

Like the Italian aria by Alessandro Scarlatti, “La Violette” was a fitting opening highlight to the two-day bridal fair’s opening day, on October 6, showcasing pieces that adhere to the less-means more principle in design.

“Clair de Lune”

“Clair de Lune,” the second bridal fashion presentation of this year’s “Weddings at the Waterfront” was staged in the afternoon of October 6, top-billed by creations by the members of the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines. It featured designs by Danny Booc, Brendon Cenon, Hanz Coquilla, Griffins Malazarte, Mel Maria, Lemuel Rosos, Harley Ruedas and Mark So.

“Clair de Lune” drew inspiration from the third movement of the “Suite Bergamasque” by composer Claude Debussy titled “Clair de Lune,” as most of its showcased fineries bore allusions to the distinct design elements of the French Impressionist era.

“La Relance”

Capping the two-day bridal fair was “La Relance,” in the evening of October 7. Featuring the latest by celebrated designers Avel Bacudio, JC Buendia, Mark Bumgarner, Harvey Cenit, Jun Escario, Michael Leyva, Jojie Lloren, Wendell Quisido, Philip Rodriguez, Val Taguba, Philipp Tampus and Cary Santiago, a comeback to the basics served as the underlying theme of the fashion presentation’s designs, made dynamic by a well-moderated use of beadwork and appliqués.

Collectively, “La Relance’s” bridalwear designs harped on the ambivalence of “now” – highlighting pieces bearing a timelessness factor that’ll hold stylish ground when viewed in wedding albums in years and even decades to come. (FREEMAN)