Marriott Manila recently staged another edition of its annual “Marry Me at Marriott” fashion event, featuring the breathtaking and fairytale-like creations of Filipino fashion designers Jaggy Glarino, Val Taguba, Rhett Eala, Ezra Santos, Jezelle Amorado and Albert Andrada.
Text and photos by Ma. Angelica Demegillo
The annual “Marry Me at Marriott” fashion show, one of the country’s most-anticipated bridal fairs, was back in all its glory at Marriott Manila. Now on its ninth edition, the recent event showcased the works of Filipino fashion designers Jaggy Glarino, Val Taguba, Rhett Eala, Ezra Santos, Jezelle Amorado and Albert Andrada. Hosted by the renowned Marriott Bonvoy chain of hotels, the annual extravaganza showcased the latest and most captivating trends for wedding and bridal fashion.
Held at Marriott Manila’s Grand Ballroom — the biggest ballroom in the country – the event also featured several eye-catching wedding vignettes set up by topnotch event stylists such as STAN Creative Designs, Pio Herras, Kathy Sy King and Kyno Kho, among others.
Bridal spectacle
This year’s edition revolves around the theme “life’s winning moments.
From traditional and classic designs to contemporary and opulent creations, the fashion show embraced the full spectrum of bridal fashion. Gowns, dresses and suits by the six designers were meticulously crafted with impeccable artistry and high-quality fabrics.
Serving as a backdrop at the far end of the runway was “tree of life” and LED screen. The fairy lights on the tree and the images projected on the screen set the mood for the different sets. At one point, the audience was taken to different eras and seasons, from winter to spring with cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Taguba opened the show with a collection that featured shiny and distinct pieces. His works, embellished with beadwork and glitter, sparkled and shone on the runway. For him, a winning moment is “seeing the bride confident and beautiful wearing my gown as she meets the man of her dreams.”
Photo by Marc Salboro 
Dubai-based designer Santos, who flew all the way to Manila for the fashion extravaganza, expressed his joy and honor for being included in the roster of designers for this year’s “Marry Me at Marriott.”
“It’s amazing to be part of this. It’s my first time to do a wedding show in Manila,” he said. For his set, the designer incorporated Middle Eastern touches in his artfully-sculpted A-line and mermaid gowns that were embellished with crystals and elaborate embroidery.
Photo by Marc Salboro 
Photo by Marc Salboro
Glarino’s creations, according to him, are inspired by the artistry of vintage 1950s fashion, injected with his signature modern style. While his works paid homage on legendary British designer Charles James, he focused on “harnessing all the techniques and making it alive in this day.” For Glarino, his winning moment is when a woman “feels good and empowered in my gowns.”
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray surprised the audience when she strutted on the runway. Gray, who concluded Glarino’s set, looked effortlessly elegant in a voluminous taffeta ball gown – just like a princess who stepped out of a fairytale book – clutching in her hand not the usual bouquet of flowers, but a spray of eucalyptus leaves.
Photo by Marc Salboro 
Eala’s collection featured dresses and suits in baby blue and pink. Even though he described his works to be “very simple,” he put emphasis on “good fabric and good silhouettes,” which, according to him, makes his creations very wearable. “The fantasy is in how the woman feels,” he added.
What is his winning moment? Eala said that it’s “when everything comes together for you and you wanted it to happen.”
Photo by Marc Salboro 
Photo by Marc Salboro 
Photo by Marc Salboro
Timeless, abstract and romantic are the best words to describe Amorado’s creations, which consisted of classic silhouettes, and voluminous and textured skirts. She also stuck to the classic white for her dresses and gowns. “It’s something that I drew from my own passion in terms of fashion design. This whole experience is all about a love story,” said Amorado.
A winning moment for her, she said, is “something that lasts for a lifetime and that’s really something that you cannot just achieve by waiting around or hoping that it arrives – it’s something that’s built, and something that you really want and desire.”
Photo by Marc Salboro
Meanwhile, Andrada fashioned his collection in pastel colors like baby pink, powder blue and lilac. While it’s traditional for the bride to use off-white or white on her big day, Andrada opted to make it more colorful by using more feminine shades.
Andrada, who had a show at Marriott New York two weeks ago, said he feels proud to see the works of Filipino fashion designers get more recognition in the international stage. “That only shows that we Filipinos are very talented, especially in the field of fashion design. I’m very flattered and impressed,” Andrada said. “I feel very proud to be part of ‘Marry Me at Marriott!’”
Miss Supranational Philippines 2023 Pauline Amelincx/ Photo by Marc Salboro 
Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee/ Photo by Marc Salboro 
Miss Charm Philippines 2023 Krishnah Gravidez/ Photo by Marc Salboro
Closing his set were newly crowned beauty queens Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee, Miss Supranational Philippines 2023 Pauline Amelincx and Miss Charm Philippines 2023 Krishnah Gravidez, who all looked ethereal in Andrada’s works.
The “Marry Me at Marriott” fashion show isn’t just a mesmerizing display of bridal fashion, it is also an experience that continues to inspire couples to embrace elegance and beauty in their journey to forever.
