By Vennette Lailani Seprado
Delicate and structured are two adjectives which don’t usually go together when one describes clothing, but that’s exactly how John Herrera’s newest bridal collection looks like. The talented designer, who bagged last year’s award as Britain’s Top Designer adds yet another achievement in his already illustrious career by launching his eponymous flagship bridal store located at the 2nd floor of the Edsa Shangri-La Plaza last July 10, 2018.
Guests were treated to a soiree of canapés and cocktails by Cibo at the East Atrium of Shangri-La Plaza, just a few steps away from his bridal showroom. On display were four of the designer’s most memorable creations including a modern Filipiniana which was shown at London Fashion Week. “I have about fifteen pieces in this collection which will be part of a traveling show with its first stop in London sometime this October” the designer relates.
“People may know me for creating avant-garde and edgy designs but what they don’t know is that I’m very traditional and I’m classically trained.”
The clothes in his initial collection have a very feminine appeal. Ball gowns, mermaid cut, and column-shaped dresses all have his signature attention to detail. The shapes are classic but the execution offers something more special even by ready-to-wear standards.
One of his notable techniques is 3D embroidery on lace which lifts the patterns and makes the design more interesting. “I am very much involved in the process from designing, lace and fabric selection to distribution on which pieces gets to be replicated” he explains.
“I am excited to bring my designs to a wider market and make them available for brides who want to have a stress-free time in planning their wedding. I’m not claiming to be an original, I’ve seen similar designs by other designers but I make sure I put my own spin on things. My silhouettes are feminine but they’re also very current. They’re what I call – the New Classics.”
His elegant bridal showroom, with its immaculate shades of white and cream, is uncluttered yet inviting. Bridal gowns are displayed on one side while a selection of well-curated evening wear is displayed on the other. Completing the luxurious ambiance of the space are modern chandeliers, an imposing center table with a tall vase of white orchids and two mirrored fitting rooms so dresses can be scrutinized on all angles.
On his inspiration for this initial offering, he says – “I was inspired by antiquities particularly from the collections of two of my favorite museums: The Louvre in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. A lot of my pieces have a very Baroque feel, but they’re lighter. I used a lot of scrolls and foliage patterns, but I was mostly drawn by the use of various shades of white by artists during this period to convey depth and movement.”
Recognizing the lack of options for real sized women, he says “I have a lot of corsetry in my collection. I think corsets are very forgiving on all body types. It adjusts to the contours of the body and it gives the wearer more support.”
He further explains that off-the-rack doesn’t mean mass produced. Brides can be assured of the quality of the pieces and they can still customize certain aspects of the existing designs. They can also set up an appointment for made-to-measure clothing through www.johnherrera.com.ph should they wish to do so.
John Herrera is positioned to be one of the major players in this new trend in the Philippine bridal market. He has the talent, the experience, and the background to compete with more established foreign brands that have penetrated the country. His initial collection showcases his ability to combine well-made dramatic pieces that are wearable and accessible. Seeing him start his bridal line is as exciting as watching him evolve as a bridal wear designer.
