Suppose you ever want to tie the knot and seek new ideas for your nuptials. In that case, there’s no other event to get inspired from other than Marry Me at Marriott, which celebrated its 10-year milestone with a stunning spectacle of contemporary bridal fashion.
Collaborating with FILIPINXT, a platform dedicated to promoting Filipino design talent in New York, the occasion showcased collections from established and emerging Filipino designers who are forces to be reckoned with. Featuring designers included Bessie Besana from New York, Veejay Floresca from Los Angeles, Hanna Kong from Luzon, Axel Que from Visayas, and Wilson Limon of Nino Franco from Mindanao.
The event also honored the event stylists and other partners from previous editions. Notable highlights of the evening were the return of celebrated Filipino fashion designer Frederick Peralta to the runway. Known for his elegant evening gowns and romantic silhouettes, Peralta was the first featured designer at Marry Me at Marriott when it first started.
The collections demonstrated the best of what the Philippines has to offer. Aside from that, Miss Universe 2015 Pia Jauncey, along with her fellow queens, Chelsea Manalo, Gazini Ganados, Angelia Ong, and Beatrice Luigi Gomez, walked the runway as a cotillion of striking brides for each designer’s collection.
With bridal fashion constantly evolving while retaining individual expression intact, each designer for the Marry Me at Marriott showcase this year decided to push boundaries by blending themes of romanticism, the past, and future innovation.
This year, we saw a delightful mix of bold colors, sustainable choices, and timeless classics, each trend offering a unique way to showcase personal style. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new wedding gown or getting inspiration for your dream nuptials, here are our favorite looks from the show
BESSIE BESANA ( NEW YORK)
The Filipino couturier’s journey began by creating a bridesmaid dress that demonstrated his quintessential style — a clean, chic, and elegant aesthetic celebrating the natural curves of a woman’s figure.
For this year’s Marry Me at Marriott showcase, Bessie took inspiration from Europe in the 1920s, combining timeless silhouettes with lace see-through gloves, feathers, and stunning headpieces. His signature application of laser-cut lace is evident throughout each look. It was a showstopping way to end the show, with Bessie having not one but two Miss Universe winners walking the stage for him with this year’s bet, Chelsea Manalo opening his segment in a short halter-neck mini dress with white lace stockings. At the same time, the iconic Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey strutted the runway once more as a Bessie Besana Bride, this time on the runway.
AXEL QUE ( VISAYAS, PHILIPPINES)
Axel Que, a fashion designer from Cebu, became known for turning wearable art into a trend and inspiring his followers and fashion enthusiasts. He brought his avant-garde concepts to life on this stage, delivering a showstopping collection that defied conventional bridal standards. With two celebrity powerhouses walking his most daring pieces, Axel created a conversation about trying out fresh out-of-the-box concepts that don’t always involve the traditional idea of bridal fashion.
FREDERICK PERALTA & HANNAH KONG ( LUZON, PHILIPPINES)
Representing the main Island of Luzon, Ecole Lessage-trained couturier Hannah Kong brings her trademark aesthetic to the stage with an ode to Frederick Peralta, also known for his take on romantic and classical figures and his debut as the first designer to show his work for the prestigious event. It was the perfect blend of creativity, still showing the delicate features and solid techniques that make her gowns a work of art.
NINO FRANCO BY WILSON LIMON ( MINDANAO, PHILIPPINES)
Creative director Wilson Limon is becoming one of the most recognizable names in the country for his take on giving a modern take on indigenous textiles that have been around for centuries. According to the designer, his take on the idea of a modern Filipina bride and groom for this wedding collection was inspired by artisanal craftsmanship and the agricultural scene in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
Wilson was able to elevate the Ikat (a native textile) by blending exquisite detailing like hand embroidery and beadwork as a decorative focal point by mimicking agricultural icons such as crops accentuated with mother of pearl and brass bells.
VEEJAY FLORESCA ( LOS ANGELES)
Last but certainly not least, Dress My Tour fashion powerhouse Veejay Floresca creates a stunning bridal collection that brings together brides of different ages, sizes, and genders for the Marry Me at Marriott showcase. His finale bride, Angelia Ong, closes his segment wearing a timeless sweetheart-neckline dress. Floresca’s line of Ready-to-order gowns has been making waves for its commitment to sustainability and inclusivity.
This also marks the first time Besana’s pioneering platform, FILIPINXT, conducted its first maiden show locally after its incredible success in New York City for its spring-summer showcase. It was a triumphant moment for Filipino designers who had their eye on demonstrating their prowess to New York’s finest. FILIPINXT will unveil its second global runway show in New York on September 7, 2024.
