Ehrran Montoya converses with nature and all of its intricacies for his Spring/Summer 2024 collection titled "SPORA." The designer, known for his avant-garde creations that take cues from organic matter and creatures, divided the presentation into five segments: Thorax, Cecropia, Fusarium, Fungi, and Monarch.
For the final slate of looks, Ehrran tapped his celebrity muses to model ensembles inspired by the elegant monarch butterfly. Among them was Maria Clara at Ibarra and Maging Sino Ka Man actress Barbie Forteza.
The show was Barbie's maiden walk on the runway, and it proved to be a memorable one with the show-stopping gown she donned. Preview sat down with the actress' stylist, Jan Raroque, to reveal what went behind her look.
LOOK: Barbie Forteza Walking for Ehrran Montoya's Spring/Summer 2024 Fashion Show
A collaborative effort between Jan, co-stylist Regi Cruz, and the designer's creative team, Barbie's debut was a meticulously-done effort. Her assigned look was a halter serpentine gown that had a detachable train fashioned out of yards of tulle. Pastel-hued beadwork adorned the frock, meant to "shimmer like the delicate scales of a monarch butterfly's wings."
Gold feathers cascaded down to the bottom of the dress, which represented the grace of a butterfly in flight."Each feather was carefully selected and attached to create a sense of movement, as if the gown is in a perpetual state of fluttering," Jan adds.
As the GMA actress glided through the catwalk, the piece itself was also in a state of movement. "The gown's colors transition from soft, pastel hues to vibrant shades, much like the transition of colors on a monarch butterfly's wings," Jan explains to Preview. "It embodies the spirit of transformation and metamorphosis, much like the creature it's inspired by.
An essential accoutrement to the ensemble were custom-made heels by Doreen Odvina, which ensured utmost comfort for the Binibini. Imparting more glamour to things were citrine-stone earrings and a diamond tennis bracelet from LUNA by Drake Dustin. Punctuating the entire ensemble was an earth-toned makeup look by Toni Aviles and a clean, sleek bun by Fatima Mercado.
One could feel the absolute joy radiating from Barbie as she sauntered down the runway. She tells Preview that the experience was "surreal" and that she, "felt like [she was] in a movie scene" while walking. Similar to how the beads and appliques of her gown shimmered, so did her smile as she embodied the spirit of the monarch butterfly.
Congratulations on the spectacular show, Ehrran!
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