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World-Class Filipino Designers Take Center Stage on the Runway for "Marry Me at Marriott"
For its 10th edition, the biggest bridal fashion showcase of the year brings together five globally renowned Filipino designers on the runway.
Published Jul 23, 2024
Hannah Kong, Axel Que, Wilson Limon, Veejay Floresca, and Bessie Besana are taking bridal fashion to new heights.
On Friday, July 19, Marriott Manila’s Grand Ballroom saw a dazzling display of artistry. A celebration of a decade-long tradition, the Marry Me at Marriott bridal showcase—now on its 10th year—unveiled a refreshing lineup of wedding looks, showcased through a partnership between Marriott Bonvoy and Filipinxt. This union brought together a constellation of luminaries in Filipino fashion, both locally and abroad. To mark the grand anniversary, this year's roster was headlined by Luzon’s Hannah Kong, Visayas’ Axel Que, and Mindanao’s Wilson Limon, alongside Los Angeles’ Veejay Floresca and New York's Bessie Besana.
Their creations, harmonizing tradition and innovation, showcased the depth of Filipino craftsmanship on the global stage. Each designer has woven a unique narrative into their garments, capturing the essence of their design ethos and the spirit of modern bridal fashion.
Ahead, get to know the world-class talents at this year’s Marry Me at Marriott.
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The Filipino Designers Who Showcased Their Bridal Collections at the "Marry Me at Marriott" 2024 Event
Hannah Kong from Luzon
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At the heart of Hannah Kong’s collection lies a celebration of femininity, woven into the fabric of life’s most significant moments. Her creations range from sleek bridal gowns and a vibrant red Tinghun dress to a traditional Filipiniana and a voluminous pale pink dress for debutantes. The Paris-trained bridal designer infuses each ensemble with her signature fairytale-like touch, brought to life through a vibrant dance of ocean-inspired motifs and accents. “For this collection, it is inspired by the ocean and by pearls—the luster, the femininity of a pearl,” Hannah explains.
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Hannah’s latest lineup is a masterclass in balancing lavish detailing with elegant restraint. Every minute pearl, glass bead, and lace is woven into each garment with clear intention and keen attention to detail. Notably, one of her dresses draws inspiration from legendary designer Frederick Peralta’s iconic “Pearl of the Orient” masterpiece, the creation that won him the prestigious Concours International des Jeunes Createurs de Mode in Paris. “I have a dress made out of maybe hundreds of thousands of little glass beads and pearls, inspired by his 1982 Paris-winning piece,” Hannah shares.
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An amalgamation of various inspirations, her collection seeks to capture the delicate yet refined nuances of femininity. She explains, “I wanted this collection to inspire women to embrace femininity in their own truest expressions, as it coexists with mine. It’s like a collective sisterhood but one that celebrates women defining womanhood.”
Shaira, Andriana, and Leila wear shoes by Jefferson Si. Belg Belgica
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Axel Que from Visayas
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Cosmic, otherworldly, and larger than life—Axel Que whisks us away to the mythical world of Southern Cebu with her bridal collection, "Poems from the Harvest." This avant-garde lineup is shaped by the folklore of a coven of witches lurking around the region’s farm fields during harvest season. "Living in Southern Cebu, I am surrounded by vast corn and rice fields. Surrounded by lush greens and verdant canopies, I get lost in my own little fairytale worlds. I also have a penchant for the mystic and occult, which I incorporate in subtle amounts," Axel shares, highlighting the unique inspirations behind her work.
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Axel’s signature style, marked by dramatic volumes and rich textures, reaches new heights in this collection. Each piece is a testament to years’ worth of experience with fabric construction and experimentation– resulting in gowns that are both ethereal and striking. Layers of both opaque and diaphanous fabrics create voluminous silhouettes, while intricate embellishments mimic the mystical elements and rich greenery of her story world.
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Chantal wears a hat by Tubigon Raffia Gallery. Belg Belgica
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The journey to bringing "Poems from the Harvest" to life was a true labor of love. "Literally blood, sweat, and tears went into the garments. If you look closely at some of the pieces, you might notice some inconspicuous amount of blood stains. I had to work through it despite falling ill at some point. This collection pushed me and my staff to our limits," Axel reveals. Despite these challenges, her unwavering commitment to storytelling through fashion shines through. "Don’t be afraid to be different. Tell the story you want to tell, unapologetically,” she muses.
Gazini and Bea wear jewelry from MJT Luxe by Ma. Jessica Tanseco and shoes from Bragais. Belg Belgica
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Wilson Limon from Mindanao
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There is space for traditional textiles in bridal fashion, and Wilson Limon’s Niñofranco Wedding collection brilliantly embodies this ethos. Rooted in a philosophy that celebrates local artisanal craftsmanship, the Mindanaoan designer draws inspiration from the lush agricultural landscape of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, a locale home to the T'boli indigenous group. “The T'boli ethnolinguistic group relies on the harvest of corn, upland rice, and other vegetables. Agriculture has always been their livelihood,” Wilson explains. Sartorially, this vivid imagery was translated into agricultural motifs, animated through intricate hand embroidery and beadwork.
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Philippe wears men's shoes by Bucroe. Belg Belgica
Central to the collection is the innovative use of Ikat fabric, a woven textile renowned for its vibrant patterns made through a resist-dyeing technique. To bring this collection to life, Wilson collaborated with traditional T’boli weaver, Jen Mann. “Her contemporary hand-woven ikats from Lake Sebu are the highlight of this collection,” Wilson affirms. Over the course of five months, Jen and the female artisans from their community meticulously crafted the pieces, culminating in a seven-piece lineup of classic Filipino formalwear for both men and women, presented in a subdued palette of blue, white, and peach.
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Embedded deep within the Niñofranco DNA is a heartfelt homage to Filipino artisans and their enduring impact on local fashion. “I am dedicated to finding innovative ways to incorporate traditional craftsmanship into contemporary designs. By doing so, I hope to showcase the incredible talent of our artisans and ensure that their skills are appreciated and preserved for future generations,” Wilson firmly states.
Daumier, Isabela, and Philippe wear diamond accessories by Theia Gems. Belg Belgica
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Veejay Floresca from Los Angeles
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Inclusivity takes center stage with Veejay Floresca’s bridal lineup. “I don’t want to sell a fantasy for this particular collection. I want to celebrate authenticity,” she candidly states. At the end of it all, Veejay’s mission is simple, yet sends a poignant message: to come up with a collection that best reflects her clients. “You know, it sounds cliché, but when I was designing this collection, I just really wanted to celebrate my clients. I want them to see themselves in my collection,” she says. Grounded by this ethos of genuine representation, Marriott’s Grand Ballroom saw a diverse range of models gracing the runway last July 19. From morenas, chinitas, a woman in her forties, a trans woman, and a plus-size model, her runway show became a tapestry of individuality and female empowerment.
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The collection radiates an effortlessly romantic allure, owing to the more laidback bridal culture in Los Angeles. With a focus on softer and easygoing silhouettes, Veejay thoughtfully brings the pieces to life through cascading layers of delicate tulle and floral lace embellishments. “I really want it to look feminine, to look romantic,” Veejay explains.
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Veejay’s entire process revolved around fashioning bridal gowns for every body type. “I think it’s very important for me to start with that,” she says, referring to the collection’s production process. With this commitment as her north star, she carefully crafted each gown to punctuate the unique beauty inherent to each wearer.
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Beyond mere sartorial choices, Veejay highlights that a wedding day is ultimately a celebration of love. “Forget about the details, forget about the wedding dress! The most important thing is that you and your fiance are getting married,” Veejay concludes, emphasizing that she simply wants her clients to relish in the bliss of married life.
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Imari, Chelsea, and Agie wear jewelry by Gretz Jewelry New York Belg Belgica
Bessie Besana from New York
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Bessie Besana’s latest collection offers a glimpse into the future of his namesake brand. “It’s sleeker, more catered to an international market,” the New York-based designer says. With this lineup, Bessie aims to show brides-to-be that there is more to wedding gowns than the standard ballgown silhouette. “There’s a lot of opportunities for women to actually showcase their femininity and their sexuality through their wedding dresses,” he explains. Under Bessie’s discerning eye, the female form is limitless, and this latest lineup makes a compelling case for it.
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Bessie brings with him a wealth of experience from the global fashion scene. His years in the Big Apple have attuned him to the design sensibilities favored by American brides, whose preferences are marked by revealing cuts and form-fitting silhouettes. Nonetheless, Bessie imbues each piece with a sense of softness, manifested through subtle feathered accents and his signature use of Chantilly lace.
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While conceptualizing the latest collection, Bessie conjured up a clear image in mind: a bride walking down the aisle, set against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Como in Northern Italy. An avid traveler himself, Bessie typically gleans inspiration from the destinations he visits and the women who live there. “With [the pieces in] this collection, I feel this is how I envision a woman getting married in Italy,” he shares.
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Hannah, Rina, and Isabella wear jewelry by Christopher Munar. Belg Belgica
A Preview Original production
Produced by Isha Fojas and Paulina Singh
Photographed by Belg Belgica, assisted by Sherie Bolo and Jyllan Bitalac
Creative Direction by Bacs Arcebal
Story by Paulina Singh
Styling by Jeff Galang for Hannah Kong, Edward James Castro for Axel Que, Jodi Aguilon for Wilson Limon, and Vhee Co for Bessie Besana
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Makeup by Team Jesi Mendez and Mac Maranan for Axel Que
Models: Shaira Portugal, Andriana Coronel, and Leila Ibañez for Hannah Kong; Bea Gomez, Chantal Schmidt, and Gazini Ganados for Axel Que; Isabel Galeria, Philippe Magalona, and Daumier Corilla for Wilson Limon; Imari Rodriguez, Chelsea Sterling, and Agie Stoeckel for Veejay Floresca; Hannah Arnold, Rina Maier, and Isabella Scalfani for Bessie Besana
Video by Jana Jodloman, Jino Del Mundo, and Greeko Junio
Special thanks to Archie Nicasio of Marriott Manila
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