I love it when brides recount stories about how collaborating with their designer united them with the gown of their dreams. This is because more often than not, the exchange of ideas and fusion of personalities will produce a gown that’s entirely unique & original and, simply put, “made just for you”. This very kind of magical fusion happened when my friend Niña Villa-Herman asked fashion designer James Reyes to create the gown she would say her “I dos” in.

Niña and her groom Carlo are graphic designers and so the theme for their entire entourage in their May 2008 wedding was paper. James came up with a stunning design that was nothing like we’ve ever seen. Niña raves, “After showing James photos of styles I liked, he came up with something beautifully modern, with very clean lines. The back of the dress had an exquisite origami-inspired knot and folds – sculptural details that I absolutely loved.”

The gown is made of Ivory Duchess Satin and the skirt was designed to appear like its one big piece of fabric made to wrap around Niña which then ends up in a shock of crumpled paper in the back.

The gown’s neckline has a slashed V-neck and a standing collar. The skirt’s front panel is also designed to lead the eyes to the origami detail at the back. Photo at the bottom shows husband and wife Carlo & Niña Herman at the Chapel on the Hill in Batulao, Batangas.

For the rest of the entourage gowns, subtle Japanese details are also in place with the use of dupioni silk to make the gowns look like crumpled and folded paper and Samurai-inspired cuts for the collars and necklines.
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Looking at the photos in James’ website, you can easily see the passion he throws into the creation of something unique and personal for each of his clients by the careful thought and detail he puts into each gown he makes.

Clockwise from top left:
1) Gina’s full terno gown in piña and ecru silk chiffon. The skirt is composed of layers of silk chiffon with full bias inserts creating a serpentina silhouette. As a dramatic, final touch, the skirt flares out into a full swirl at the back. “This is one of the gowns I’m proudest of because it was the very first time I made a terno and it turned out great.

2) Aimee in her champagne-colored wedding dress. The back of the gown features a huge assymetrical bow that falls in a dramatic cascade onto the floor. “The reception was outdoors and Aimee wanted something light and airy to catch the cool Tagaytay breeze. Thus, the butterfly became my inspiration.”

3) Cathy, Pao, and their entourage. Cathy was inspired by a play she was doing that was set in Florence hence their theme Florence at Sunset. “Immediately, we pinned down the colors of her entourage and my theme for all the gowns would be Florentine jewelry. The Moms wore shades of gold with crushed crystals as accents. The entourage came in beautiful colors inspired by the romantic city: wine red, burnt orange, champagne and gold.”

James was actually my classmate in college and it really makes me proud to see how far he’s gone from the talented, cheerful Fine Arts student who would happily design our Lantern Parade costumes to the talented, cheerful, acclaimed fashion designer he is now.

See more of his wedding gown work on his website.

Get in touch with James Reyes at:
Mobile: 0917-6236183
E-mail: jvreyes@pldtdsl.net or jamesvreyes@yahoo.com
Website: http://jamesreyesdesigns.multiply.com

Related post:
* I wrote about my own wonderful wedding gown experience with designer Tippi Ocampo in a previous entry.

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