10 of Francis Libiran's Favorite Wedding Dresses
Few names are as revered as Francis Libiran’s when it comes to wedding gown designers. The fashion designer has contributed to the unspeakable joy of countless brides across the country by providing them with their dream wedding gowns—each one bespoke and fit to a T. While Libiran keeps himself busy by fulfilling the requests of bride after bride, he really is fulfilling his own dreams. “I love the entire process of creating a wearable work of art,” he tells Town&Country, “I love seeing my designs come to life. It’s like seeing my clients’ dreams materialize.”
While each creation that comes out of Francis Libiran’s atelier is unique, he makes a mental note of every single one he’s worked on. “I don’t know how, but I have them all memorized. Maybe it’s because each one was uniquely created in collaboration with my brides,” he says.
Since Libiran has been in the industry for the last two decades, he’s identified the challenges he faces with every commission: “[It’s] detail development. We make each design identical and unique so the challenge is to merge my signature aesthetic with each piece but make them all look different at the same time.”
Libiran finds creativity in the mundane. “I take my inspiration from life itself—the people and things that surround me, my experiences, history, places I visit, magnificent structures, and arts and culture. These influence my life, which translated into my designs.”
The Francis Libiran brand celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and Libiran tells us he and his team are constantly working toward the brand gaining more global recognition. “We will continue to produce high quality products and designs, which reflect our Filipino heritage, and to be truly world-class.”
The brand is already on its way to achieving its goal. In recent years, Libiran showcased two collections on cycles 18 and 22 of America’s Next Top Model. In 2012, he launched his “100” line in Manila Hotel. It later made a tour around the world, being exhibited in events such as the Canada-Philippine Fashion Week in Toronto and FashionNXT in Oregon.
For now, let’s take a look back at some of his favorite wedding gowns, which he says, “Apart from the materials used and the amount of time consumed, it is the story behind each wedding gown that makes it even more special.”
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The Wedding Gown of Maricar Reyes
The designer did not cut any corners when he was putting together a wedding gown for Maricar Reyes. The immaculate gown she wore down the aisle featured a bodice embellished in jewels and a skirt that consisted of layers and layers of ruffled tulle.
The Wedding Gown of Kaye Abad
In 2016, Kaye Abad donned a delicate but detailed off-white gown to her wedding in Cebu. The designer made use of an elegant lace fabric for the body, while a meters-long train trailed behind her. There were more surprises at the back of the dress, as the sheer lining made sure that the lace hugged the bride’s back stunningly.
The Wedding Gown of Jewel Mische
If you thought a Francis Libiran creation would only suit the tropical climate, you thought wrong. Jewel Mische wore a lace gown to her winter wedding in Michigan, United States. The designer worked with his signature materials—sheer lining an intricately designed lace to create this long-sleeved number for the bride. She paired it with a fur wrap.
The Wedding Gown of Kryz Uy
Just last month, Kryz Uy walked down the aisle in a sleeveless body-hugging white gown adorned with delicate Italian lace and featuring a low neckline. A white veil complemented the bridal ensemble and trailed behind her. If you take a closer look, you’ll notice that the gown is dotted with floral appliqués and jewels, while the details on the back consist of thin intersecting straps that lead to a ruffled train. The designer also dressed her groom, Slater Young, in a suit.
The Wedding Gown of Max Collins
There are multiple design traits that make Max Collins gown one of a kind—the neckline showed off an elaborate lace pattern that provided the perfect substitute for jewelry, while the bodice showed off heavy custom embroidery and beading. The showstopper, however, was the dramatically long train.
More: 12 Stationers for Elegant Wedding Invitations in Manila
The Wedding Gown of Bianca Wong
For her city wedding, this bride opted for an overly romantic style that was made possible through the sweetheart neckline and the countless layers of tulle that made the bottom of her ballgown.
The Wedding Gown of Lucky Weidmann
In line with her Game of Thrones-themed reception, Lucky Weidmann enlisted the designer’s help in creating a dress inspired by one of Daenarys Targaryen’s iconic costumes. This resulted in an elegant gown wrapped in a sheer, embroidered cape that fell to the ground.
Francis Libiran's World-Class Collection Gown
Last year, Libiran partnered with fashion industry titans Michael Cinco, Cary Santiago, Ezra Santos, and Furne Amato to produce a presentation of their couture designs.
Francis Libiran's Dream Weddings Collection
In a bridal fair called "Dream Weddings" held in November 2018, Libiran focused on the tradition of the Ting Hun and focused a line of unconventional yet contemporary gowns and pastel creations. His muse that night was Kim Chiu, who donned a sparkling number that featured a neckline similar to that of a Chinese collar.
Francis Libiran's Bridal Collection
Some of Libiran's most unforgettable works come from his wedding collections. When asked which trends will steal the spotlight this year, he says: "Classics never go out of style. That being said, a classic off-white tone is still the favorite of most brides. However, there are brides who are not afraid to go out of their comfort zones and would opt to add some shade of colors to their wedding gowns. The silhouette, on the other hand, would always depend on each bride’s body type."
