There’s something quite dream-like and fantastical about the full skirt.
Whether it’s on an Elizabethan royalty, or a Civil War slave owner, or the Spanish señorita.
It harkens back to the time when gardens were well-manicured masterpieces of topiaries and fountains (think the excessive engineering marvel in Versailles), of the cavernous palaces of British royalty and their 12-course meals, or the exotic charm and mystery of the Spanish masquerade.
It is an evocation of a more romantic era, those eras that pulled no stops in the celebration of feasts and revelry in a scale that would make Marie Antoinette apoplectic with paroxysms of sheer delight.
Think of anything associated with those dresses: voluminous skirts, lots of tulle, and lace, the exquisite hand-made embroidery. Then there’s the sequins and beadwork, the detailing in a craftsmanship that belies the artists’ love for romance, for opulence, not for restraint but for the overflowing display of beauty, of extravagance.
Those are the marks of Jun-g Candelario, an Iloilo based designer, artist, creator of the signature bridal gown with tiered skirt.
Jun-g, who has been designing for eight years now, avers that he loves doing really feminine pieces.
“I do bridal gowns, I love doing feminine pieces that embrace the character of the bride; from tulle with sequins, lace, and sheer details as well as intricate beadwork and embroidery techniques,” he tells DNX.
He also does pieces for would-be debutantes, lovely intricate and extravagant dresses and evening gowns that make them at least relive that era of grand chandeliers and golden staircases and roasted pheasants under silver domes.
Because there is nothing like feeling like a princess even for one day – and LIVE that feeling by wearing an ensemble that replicates what Queen Victoria and her court had donned.
Women of all ages absolutely LOVE Jun-g and his creations. One of his important clients is Dr. Cielo Adajar of Adajar Dental and Cosmetics Implants, the dentist of the stars.
It is no surprise then that Jun-g will be among those featured during the Born Brave fashion show on October 12 at the SMX Convention Bacolod. The event, directed by Rodney Ascalon, is in collaboration with the office of Bacolod representative Cong. Greg Gasataya, the avowed champion for mental health. Proceeds of the benefit show will go to Youth for Mental Health – Bacolod Chapter, and Happy Hearts Foundation.
The Iloilo designer of course immediate accepted the offer.
“I like the idea of helping people to overcome the issue on mental health,” he says, as he shares that he has a niece with Down syndrome, thus the advocacy is close to his heart.
Jun-g says that mental health issues have become a pressing concern that has greatly affected the youth.
“There is an increase number of suicide, depression and anxiety,” he notes, saying that all these issues should be taken seriously.
Jun-g encourages everyone to “always be watchful and considerate with the emotions of others because we may not know what other people are going through”.
“It is also important to raise awareness on this topic and educate the community so we can fight the stigma it has caused,” he adds.
