The designer, who’s also behind the Amato brand of high-end home and fashion accessories, produced 64 looks inspired by the sea. Using various materials and treatments, Furne presented bridal dresses that could easily be dressed down and double as resort wear.
By ALEX Y. VERGARA
The three-part “Weddings by Crimson,” a series of bridal fashion shows, which kicked off in late 2023 at Crimson Filinvest and continued early this year at Crimson Boracay, recently culminated at Crimson Mactan. This time, organizers, including Chroma Hospitality’s Carmela Bocanegra and Crimson Mactan GM Patrick Manthe, trained the spotlight on Dubai-based Cebu native Furne One (pronounced as O-ne).
One, also the designer behind the Amato brand of high-end home and fashion accessories, produced 64 looks inspired by the sea. As such, not a few of his bridal dresses could easily be dressed down and double as resort wear. To add some sizzle to the event, One also presented several male and female models in dressed-up swimwear that featured beaded, appliqueed and embroidered diaphanous capes, overlays and jackets worn over swimsuits and swimming trunks.
Aptly titled “Take me to the Sea,” One produced varying nearly all-white ensembles that made use of various materials, including lace in conventional and point d’esprit styles, tulle, jersey, and hand-crocheted fabrics. The temptation to go all-out was there, but One wisely reined his impulses in through the judicious use of embellishments such as embroidery, tasseled froufrou and beadwork using crystals, appliques and strips of shiny plastic.
His play on textures was also evident in the collection, as he seamlessly combined light with relatively heavier materials to achieve contrast. To keep monotony at bay, certain looks had touches of pastel shades like baby pink and powder blue.
“Although many of the looks are close to the body, there are some pieces that are figure friendly because I want my collection to be more inclusive,” One said.
The overlays in the form of capes, robes and jackets also proved to be ideal cover-ups either for the shy or slightly voluptuous wearer, as well as during the entire wedding ceremony itself. But for brides and partygoers with the figure to show off, One produced a good number of close-to-the-body looks that zero in on the waist.
And to further emphasize that area, he accentuated it with belts and cummerbunds in varying widths.
“Some of the looks were pieced together in the Philippines, while some were done in Dubai. I sourced the materials from all over—Dubai, Paris and various parts of the Middle East,” said One, who also recently soft opened a café in Cebu City also called Amato.
As an homage perhaps to his home province, he also produced several headdresses inspired by the shape of corals and accented with seashells. And for good measure, all 64 models, including beauty queens Bea Gomez, Gazini Ganados and Christi McGarry, paraded down One’s idea of an idyllic beach in Cebu or even at the Hamptons, complete with real golden sand and patches of vegetation.
“You know me,” said One with a knowing smile. “I’m a maximalist designer when it comes treatments and embellishments. So, what stopped me from going all out this time? Time! If I had enough time, I would have done a lot more.”
Organizers also set up two themed wedding reception arrangements along Crimson Mactan’s beach area to give would-be couples ideas. The resort hotel is fast becoming a favorite wedding and reception venue of young couples, as it offers everything they need, including several air-conditioned ballrooms and function rooms that double as back-up venues should rains spoil their big day.
