The fashion journey of Rey Santos—from style to aisle.
Words Kitten Zapata | Photography Mark Neto | Hair and Makeup Angel Salian of The Makeup
Studio Boracay | Styling The Wedding Stylist | Model Ksenia Detska | Shot on location at the Presidential Suite of Grand Hyatt Manila
He was honed to be in the fashion and wedding industry ever since. In 2004, he started as a fashion and commercial model (Saga Events) and a finalist for Bodyshots. His stature in the fashion industry then made him a local favorite and he took that opportunity for him to become a stylist for ad campaigns and editorials. Furthermore, in 2006 he took the position of Fashion Editor in the country’s premier wedding magazine, Wedding Essentials. His role as Fashion Editor made him find his love for wedding styling, hence, he started his own wedding style team which he coined—The Wedding Stylist. He was one of the first who started the idea and need for a wedding stylist. He styled popular and high-end brides, grooms and even the whole entourage. He was also a favorite when it came to prenup and post nuptial styling.
In 2017, he studied pattern making at the Alliance France Bangkok. “Pawel (my partner) invited me to Paris and exposed me to art, culture, museums, architecture, and people on the streets. I was so amazed with the experience and it really opened my eyes and I just wanted to learn more.”
“When Tatay died from cancer, I started to do fashion illustrations, a diversion from grieving and in 2016 -2020 I started making dresses for my beauty queen friends and then brides and grooms for their pre wedding shoots, that’s the time Pawel and I wanted to do a business to sell bridal gowns made in the Philippines and eventually start a bridal atelier in Poland.
“Pawel died from cancer in 2020 during a pandemic, yung sakit na nawalan ng mahal sa buhay, partner, mentor at best friend. It was really painful for me. Yung natitra lakas ibibigay ko dito sa paggawa ng dress. Napapangiti nila ako kapag nasusuot ng bride ang damit na ginagawa ko mula sa inspirasyon na mula sa puso. This gives me a fuel to start again.”
To date, he continues to grow and decided to finally venture into design and gown making. “ I finally found my passion, over the years this industry have been a great influence to me. The people I work with, the people I meet, and this year I thought of pushing myself to be better but most of all happier. So I took a leap of faith and now I have my own bridal line.”, Rey Santos
“Bednarska” Spring/Summer 2023: Inspired by his love for Poland and Pawel
Photographed by: Doc Marlon Pecjo | Muse: Jasmine Maierhofer-Patrimonio | Make up: Cindy Patrimonio | Nails: Triple Luck Brow & Nail Salon | Accessories: Viera Diamonds
For bookings you may contact Rey Santos at https://www.instagram.com/reysantos/.
