MANILA, Philippines — This wedding month, wedding fairs could be crowded, so celebrity fashion designer Francis Libiran offers an alternative.
Brides, he said, are becoming busier and older because they are career-oriented. Thus, for those who barely have the time to scour for a matrimonial garb or to go to several fittings, Francis will be the one to come to them.
The world-renowned Filipino designer will be touring his latest bridal collection, “Affaire de Coeur,” at the Marco Polo Hotel in Cebu on July 21 and 22, at the Crimson Hotel Alabang on August 22 and at the Singapore Bridal Caravan on August 27, his second time to showcase his designs in Singapore.
More than just an intimate trunk show, the tour will be a chance for brides to get free styling from Francis and free makeovers that will enable brides to check out looks that will go well with their choice of Francis Libiran dress.
After his much-publicized jewelry line launch last February, Francis launches “Affaire de Coeur,”inspired by the beauty, ornate architecture and fresh foliage of Paris, the so-called “City of Love.”
Libiran, who himself found love in Paris, finds it suitable to name the collection as such as it means “a love affair.”
Brides, according to him, have a lasting love affair with their wedding gowns as they have dreamt of what to wear as they walk down the aisle since they were children.
“The wedding gown is still a big deal, the center of attention, among Filipinas,” he said. “Girls always have a picture in their head that they want to look a princess during their wedding day.”
Originally a men’s wear designer, Francis began making wedding gowns when a neighbor asked him to make her matrimonial garb. Since then, wedding gowns have been his bread and butter.
“Designing for brides is something very special to me,” the designer shared in an interview with Philstar.com. “Up to now, when a bride walks down the aisle, andun pa rin ang excitement ko so I personally dress up the bride if my sked permits…Every time she fits the gown, she feels excitement. Ako ‘yung parang kinasal!”
When suggesting a design, Filipina brides usually give him a picture of a Caucasian bride, when he said, they should know their best assets and what makes them conscious.
“I say know if they ask me to copy a design because I’m not here for money but for service,” he stressed.
He noticed that recently, a lot are getting married in destination weddings, so there has been a demand for minimalist designs that enable brides to move freely and with lightness.
Featuring a wide spectrum of ivory and off-white colored designs that are fitting for church weddings, outdoor garden and beach settings, the “Affaire de Coeur” bridal collection is a diverse and versatile line that will complement different body types. Made from tulle Chantilly lace, corded lace, Duchess satin and Mikado silk, all are boasting of elegance and sophistication.
“One of my visions for many years is to create a ready-to-wear bridal line that will be more accessible to a wider audience of brides,” Libiran quipped. “Every bride deserves that glorious ‘defining experience’ when choosing her most important outfit and my goal for this collection is to make it unique and memorable, thus creating a real-life fairytale experience,” he concluded.
[“Source-ndtv”]