BY JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ
To say that Conrad Manila’s recently concluded “Inspired Beginnings” bridal fair opened in style is an understatement. After all, the bespoke two-day affair featured no less than fashion designer extraordinaire Michael Leyva on its first night, in a spectacular show that presented brides who were a vision — not just in white — but in almost every color of the rainbow.
Under the stylized clouds of Randy Lazaro and within the beautiful confines of Conrad Manila’s Forbes Ballroom, the models presented these pieces as they walked down the ramp. Michael opened his collection with an off-white gown encrusted in crystals and a matching neckpiece that doubled as a cascading cape of tiered ruffles. The dramatic piece was a fitting prelude to the show ahead.
Pastel paradise
In quick succession, Michael filled the runway with a flurry of pastel pieces, which can be imagined on bridal parties in some fairytale wedding off “Haute Couture Land.”
Among this writer’s favorite pieces were a baby pink coat/ mini dress covered in floral appliqué. The same treatment can be seen in a quintet of intricate short dresses, which showcased Michael’s technical skills in ruching, beading and balancing dramatic, structured looks, with softer elements like dyed feathers.
The colored gowns also came out one after the other, presenting a parade of tiered ruffles, oversized shoulder details and matching headdresses.
“Unlike our previous collection last May, which focused on all-white themes emphasizing elegance and tradition, this one celebrates playfulness and optimism through a range of vibrant colors and intricate details,” explained Michael, who drew inspiration from the “happiness and positivity” in his life.
The men also served more of Michael’s eye candies, as they wore his playful take on traditional suits and menswear. While we imagine that most of his male clientele may ask him to tone down the sparkles and go darker, as most grooms are, perhaps, wont to do, the new silhouettes Michael introduced onstage offered playful alternatives.
“For our menswear line, we wanted to create looks that blend sophistication with contemporary style. We wanted to showcase something fresh to the eye,” said Michael. Fresh, indeed, were the draped dress shirts, floor-length tuxedos, beaded jackets and tailored pants — and shorts — that commanded attention on the runway.
Deviating from his sweet attack on bridal fashion, Michael gave the viewers a break from color with all-black suits and wedding gown. But like light at the end of the tunnel, the show ended on a “bright” note as four Miss Philippines 2024 queens, led by no less than Miss Universe contender Chelsea Manalo, walked down the ramp in more traditional white dresses.
Indeed, somewhere over this rainbow, is a ‘Leyva’ of love — one that consists of 40 couture looks that were crafted to showcase Michael Leyva’s dedication to quality and creativity. And by Michael Leyva, we don’t just mean the designer per se, but also the brand, which consists of the tireless team who worked round the clock to produce these colorful suits, bridal dresses and wedding gowns.
“I’m grateful to my talented team, whose passion and commitment were integral to the collection’s success. Currently, our team consists of more or less a hundred people, each contributing their unique skills and perspectives to our creative process,” the designer told PeopleAsia, shortly after he graced the stage with his colleagues at the end of the show.
Here comes the bride
Conrad Manila’s second bespoke bridal fair, a nod to Conrad Manila’s eighth anniversary, also featured eight esteemed event stylists, including Amelia Blossoms, Nikki Chatto, Amante Fleurs, Kathy Sy King, Randy Lazaro, Drew Menor, FJ Sionson and former PeopleAsia “Men Who Matter” awardee Dave Sandoval. Together, they showcased their tablescape designs in the Forbes Ballroom. Each one was inspired by gemstones and offered unique interpretations of the icy elegance of winter diamonds, the blooming vitality of spring emeralds, the radiant warmth of summer rubies, and the rich tones of fall sapphires.
The finale fashion show, on the other hand, featured seven world-class designers, including Bianca Cordero, Rian Fernandez, Hannah Kong, Ehrran Montoya, Banggo Niu, Joe San Antonio, and Ryan Uson. Guests were also treated to an evening of exquisitely designed wedding gowns and suits, with each piece being used a part of tableau that showcased the beauty of transitioning seasons. Adding to the allure are exquisite jewelry pieces from Jewelmer and chic footwear by Bucroe and Doreen Odvina.
Noting that it’s their privilege to be part of every couple’s wedding journey Conrad Manila general manager Fabio Berto said: “We are thrilled to host ‘Inspired Beginnings’ and offer couples a glimpse into the exceptional services and stunning settings we can provide for their special day. Our annual wedding showcase not only allows couples to explore our beautiful venue, they can also meet with our trusted vendors, and envision their dream wedding brought to life.”
