Menswear designer tries his hand at bridal
The wedding industry may have slowed down during the pandemic, but it’s all systems go once again with several bridal and wedding fairs scheduled throughout the year. Often held in luxury hotels, the event gives couples planning to wed the opportunity to meet with potential suppliers under one roof. Florists, caterers, photographers, videographers and even calligraphers would put their best foot forward hoping to book potential clients.
Often, the highlight of the fairs was the bridal fashion show that capped the two- or three-day event. A featured designer or several of them would present their takes on that year’s wedding trends.
Odelon Simpao has been designing for over a decade. He is known primarily as a menswear designer, but he decided to toss his hat in the ring as a bridal wear designer. “I actually design wedding gowns but isa-isa lang (just one at a time),” he told Lifestyle recently.
“I started doing menswear 17 years ago, but my dream was to penetrate the mainstream wedding industry. My mentor, designer Frederick Peralta, is known for his flamboyant bridal gowns. He was the one who inspired me because I saw how he worked, and how he was able to tell a story by just using fabric, beads and crystals.”
For several years, Simpao was also the ailing veteran designer’s partner. Peralta’s brilliance when it came to designing and his ability to schmooze with clients must have rubbed off on the fledgling designer from Cagayan de Oro. Simpao would later go on to style showbiz couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera as well as serve as a stylist on a number of GMA TV series.
“I’ve been juggling so many things for a long time—styling, fitness training (CrossFit and weightlifting) and designing—but last year, I began meeting with people from the wedding industry, trying to get a feel for the current situation. I haven’t staged or participated in any recent shows, but I felt it was time for me to expand my business,” he said.
First collection
Simpao feels confident enough that with his years of experience, he can come up with a wedding collection that “tells a story because I know how to play around with fabrics and construct a corset.”
He recently unveiled his first collection on his social media accounts. It consists of nine bridal gowns and three men’s suits. The gowns share traditional silhouettes; they’re long, white and fitted. Intentional design elements include an oversized bow behind one shoulder, rows of beads tracing the wearer’s curves, and a sweetheart neckline and a lace overlay skirt.
Since he posted the images online, he’s received a number of inquiries. He now has a team to field these inquires. “I created the team to make sure that it’s moving because I really want to design. I couldn’t expand in the past because I was doing everything.”
Asked if he had a business partner financing this expansion, he demurred, only saying that he dipped into his personal savings. “Creating a wedding collection is no joke; it’s really expensive.”
Simpao is one of the featured designers in the Luxuriant Expo and 9th Calgary International Fashion and Arts Week (CIFAW) at the annual “Marriott Moments A-Fair” scheduled on July 26-27 at Manila Marriott Hotel. He will be joined by several Philippine- and Canada-based designers and design groups including Sci Ph, John Ablaza, Kenny Ladaga, Aurea Vinluan, Maliyah Abenir, and Jaki Penalosa.
With the theme “Home,” the 9th CIFAW aims to inspire every Filipino to take pride in their roots and the place they call home.
“For that show, I’m making an all-new collection: 10 gowns and maybe five or six menswear. Since I’m now doing bridal, I’m pushing myself to come out with at least two collections yearly—one for summer and one for holiday,” Simpao said. “My silhouettes are not as exaggerated as other bridal wear designers. I really want to create timeless, elegant silhouettes that accentuate a woman’s body. Para kahit big girl ka, may shape ka pa din.”
Marriott Moments A-Fair Luxuriant Expo and the 9th CIFAW on July 26-27 will be staged at the MGBX Exhibition Hall in the Marriott Grand Ballroom.
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