Albert Andrada reveals plans for a store in Riyadh
The Marikina Convention Center was transformed last weekend into a rock garden with an elevated fountain in the middle and faux bois stools designed to look like chopped-up tree trunks. At the back were panels featuring images of the different events venues in the province of Rizal, while off to one side were food and beverage kiosks offering a taste of their specialties: flavored coffee, mixed drinks, sushi and takoyaki.
The two-day event dubbed “Antipolo Wedding Museum” was organized by Joy Madriaga of Madriaga’s Catering, which has been staging bridal fairs in an Antipolo mall atrium for a couple of years now.
“This time we wanted to do something different. I was finally able to convince my cousin, Albert Andrada, to showcase his bridal wear. This was a long time coming,” she told Lifestyle. Her husband was in charge of executing the circular and tiered runway design that mimicked the look of a wedding cake.
Andrada presented a total of 18 looks, including a few for men and for a trio of young girls, sisters who wore dresses with beaded bodices and full skirts cut from dark denim.
He opened with a voluminous ruffled dress with a slit at the hem to allow for ease of movement. This was followed by a model in a fitted cream-colored jacket worn with a petaled skirt that billowed as she walked. On the jacket’s shoulders and running down the length of her arms were ivy-patterned appliques.
Textures
Another look consisted of a sheer full-length belted coat with bell sleeves and an exaggerated collar. Model Justine Gabionza then peeled it off to reveal a nude, beaded sheath with a high collar; no need for any other jewelry.
Miss Universe Philippines 2020 Rabiya Mateo closed the show wearing a beaded column dress with Art Deco-inspired appliqués from chest to hem.
“My dream is to eventually become known globally,” Andrada told a few reporters after the show. He said that an Arab friend wants him to open a store in Riyadh. “There will be an assistant designer based there while I will continue designing from here.”
It might take a while as he has commitments to keep, including 17 bridal clients for the last quarter of year. Not that he’s in a rush. He considers everything that has happened in his life up to now as grace—one that should be shared.
When he learned that one of his clients had to back out from having a gown made after her mother died and the expenses incurred, he still completed the dress.
“The bride had already had another dress made, but her friends surprised her with the one I made.” She ended up using both dresses on her wedding day.
“I used to teach, and one of the first things I would tell my students was to remain humble. When you become successful, there’s a tendency to forget the ones who helped you when you were first starting out. You have to remember: that’s not you, that’s a gift from God,” he said.
