Wedding Digest Philippines Weddings. More fun In the Philippines Edition | Page 26

A SK T E H EXP E R T Mr. Dennis Martin HAND-CRAFTED COUTURE Although he never planned to be in the business, the circumstances in the life of Dennis Martin seem to have aligned and led him straight to the arms of fashion design. He helps us understand what makes a bridal gown truly Filipino. Born to Design His first foray into fashion design could not be any more Filipino. In 2000, the gown he made was worn by a candidate for Mutya ng Malabon, the foremost beauty pageant in the city. And, although he did not know it at the time, his team actually bagged the Best in Long Gown award. He was also busy then in creating a different gown for the Grand Santacruzan in Navotas, a pageant held on the last day of the annual Flores de Mayo. And once more, the team won the same award. “It was during this competition when someone from the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP) approached me and extended an invitation for me to join them. That’s when my career really started taking a turn,” Martin narrates. He proceeded to take up classes in fashion schools and later formally enrolled in pattern-making at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines (FIP). He was among the school’s first batch of students. “I am very careful in making my patterns. When the pattern is good, then the fit of the gown will also be good,” he stresses. Apart from a masterful hand in pattern-making, Martin is also a known expert in intricate beadwork. He was elected as President of Fashion and Wedding Designers of the Philippines (FWDP) for 2014. Of Long Trains and Hours “I have been witnessing the changes in trends in wedding gowns. Detachable long trains used to be very popular. The long trains practically double the price of the gown, especially if it’s heavily embellished. Now, brides are more aware of their budget. But to give them different looks with the same gown, I simply create a ball gown with tulle underneath which comes off.” Beadwork also used to be quite extravagant and took much longer to make. Now, there are modern techniques that make beadwork easier and quicker without sacrificing the intricate look. Superstitions also played a huge part of the wedding preparations before. For instance, the brides-to-be didn’t try on the gowns before the actual wedding day for fear that it would bring bad luck or even prohibit the wedding from pushing through. That made the initial measurement very crucial. Fortunately, brides nowadays are a bit more relaxed in terms of superstitions. And some just avoid bringing their moms along for the fitting. Why Weddings are more fun in the Philippines. “In terms of materials, we have the coveted piña, which is a natural fabric here in the Philippines,” says Martin, although he quickly adds that it can be a bit expensive as it is very delicate. Because of its quality, piña is reserved for structured gowns. “I made a piña wedding gown at the request of a halfFilipina, half-British bride. I used a stronger fabric for the lining and had beadwork instead of embroidery on the piña.” He then adds, “But I think, more than the fabric, what really creates the Filipino mark in our weddings is personal service.” While other countries have mass-produced wedding gowns, ours are still made through labor of love. “Wedding gowns here are hand-crafted. The beading on the dresses is done by hand and not by machine.” Aside from these, it is probably only in the Philippines where the bridal gown designer still attends to the bride during the wedding. “I have to be there in case anything happens; I can’t just entrust it to anyone.” How’s that for personal service? For foreigners planning a destination wedding here or for balikbayans who want to exchange vows in their homeland, Martin suggests that they get local designers. “We are equally capable and skillful, and, compared with other countries, the cost of the gowns is really much more affordable here.” Dennis Martin Couture 0917.8124008 [email protected] www.dennismartincouture.b logspot.com