WEDDING GOWN 101

Here are the 10 Tips I have listed down on http://www.pretentious.eu/node/278, for all the future brides out there!

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WEDDING GOWN 101

Submitted by Rajo on Sun, 07/10/2011 - 21:41

Choosing a wedding gown is one of the most important decision a woman will ever have. 

When you were a little girl, you got excited flipping the glossy pages of wedding magazines. You would pick the wedding gown you like and say: “This is how my wedding would look like on my wedding day.”

The bride is the “centerpiece” of any wedding. All eyes will be on her, and of course on her dress of choice. 

Here are some ways that you can consider when you are on the lookout for one:

KNOW YOUR LOGISTICS

Finalise the date, time and venue of your wedding. This information is very important because defines the kind of gown that you will be using. It makes decisions easier when you answer such questions as: “Will it be in the morning, afternoon or evening?”, Will it be in the city, at the beach or in a hotel?”

GIVE YOURSELF A BUDGET

Setting a budget is very important. it gives you the parameters to the kind of gown that you can acquire. Be realistic as well, make sure your guests can eat & drink  during the reception too.

CREATE A MOOD BOARD OR A SCRAP BOOK

A scrap book gives you the seeds of inspiration for your gown. From there, your designer or store can already get an idea to who you are as a person and as a bride.

KNOW THYSELF

Be critically honest about your skin colour, physique (body shape) and personality. All these will define the kind of gown that you will be wearing.

INVEST IN A GOOD UNDERWEAR

Not only will your husband appreciate this after the wedding, but proper underwear give the correct shape and can hide a “multiple of sins”.

GET COMFORTABLE SHOES

Brides on the average stands on their feet for 5-6 hours during their wedding. I can not stress the value of comfort. Ladies, you can NEVER FEEL PRETTY WHEN YOUR SHOES ARE MURDERING YOUR FEET. 

FIND OUT WHAT YOUR GROOM WILL WEAR

Ladies, although this is technically your day it would be smart to compliment what your groom is wearing. So you will both look stunning during your special day as well as in your photos together.

ACCESSORIZING

When choosing accessories for yourself on your wedding day, ere on the side on the side of “less is more”. I normally suggest just wearing fabulous earrings and that’s it. You don’t want your jewelry to mask your natural glow.

TRY ON VARIOUS NECKLINES

Try on various necklines before deciding on the dress and take photos. Remember,   photos don’t lie (well almost… photoshoped pics, ladies)

HAVE FUN!

Designing, creating and shopping for your wedding gowns the most fun part of planing your wedding. I always say: “If you not having, take a step back, shake your nerves off, get back and have fun all over again!”

Below are some of my sketches.  Hope you get some ideas.

Good luck ladies and don’t forget to send me your wedding pictures!

Rajo Laurel on Pretentious.eu

My friend from Europe, Miguel Sarmiento has recently featured me on his blog: http://www.pretentious.eu/node/277.  He also asked me to write down 10 Tips when Choosing a wedding Gown, which will be posted separately!

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RAJO LAUREL: Welcome to PRETENTIOUS!

Submitted by Miguel on Sun, 07/10/2011 - 14:52

Spring 2011, Rajo (Rah-ho) and I met in the city of Dior & Chanel. Being college buddies, we exchanged juicy bla-blahs  about each other and our batch mates. During our conversation, I invited him to join our TEAM PRETENTIOUS as our Fashion Editor, and without any hesitations, he said: OUI! 

Me and Rajo

The Fashion King meets with The Fashion Czar

Who is RAJO LAUREL?

Rajo’s passion for fashion started when he was only 11 years old. It led him to study the art. He honed his craft at the famed Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. 

Back in 1994, AIR FRANCE awarded him as the Young Designer of The Year , 1997 ASIA COLLECTION ”Mukahari Grand Prix” in Japan and  1998, THE LOOP’S  (Editor’s Choice Award). The list goes on and on.

He staged major fashion galas, most notable were his daring “Optical Illusions” show back in 2001.  During the same year, he was invited to participate at the Saks Fifth Avenue : Bridal Exhibitions . In 2004 and 2005, Rajo was chosen to represent the Philippines at the KL Fashion Week in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

2007 was a very memorable year for Rajo. Aside from critically-acclaimed gala shows, ERNTS & YOUNG awarded him as the Entrepreneur of the Year.

Sharing his marvelous talents to the “future Rajos”, he was one of the judges for PROJECT RUNWAY - Philippines. Recently he received yet another deserving award from PEOPLE MAGAZINE as one of the People of the Year.

One of the in-demand fashion designers in Asia, Rajo takes his time to cater to exclusive and luminous clients from the political, fashion, economic, movie worlds.

Not only a fashion wiz but also a business intellect. He manages  the RAJO LAUREL ENTERPRISE(RLE).  A garment company that specializes in quality made-to-order haute couture clothing.

 He also heads the HOUSE OF LAUREL (HOL).  HOL is a garment company that specializes in designer RTW clothing.

And yes, he still have time to travel around the globe to get his inspirations.

On the lighter side,  back in the early 90’s my schoolmates and I would  ask Rajo to design and make our party outfits.  Furthermore,  Rajo and I collaborated on his 1st ever fashion show back in 1989 in our school campus ( queue in music: Back to Life! lol). People patiently queued for almost an hour for a 15-minute show, yes 15 minute show! 

But after the show, Rajo was not only the talk in the campus, but of the whole cosmo Manille! He got rave reviews from every corner of the bustling city! 

Up to this date, and no BS, Rajo is one of the designers that I can trust to make my suits. Famous as he is now,  his sense of humility and simplicity prevails!

RAJO LAUREL….. WELCOME TO PRETENTIOUS! Santé