When Kate Middleton married her prince in 2011, over 2 billion romantics from across the globe watched as she glided down the aisle in what could well be the wedding of the century. The Duchess of Cambridge was old-school elegant in a lacy, feminine Alexander McQueen gown.
Everybody swooned.
She had everything: a prince, a royal wedding, and that lovely, lovely dress that evokes dainty lasses in ponies holding peonies riding silver carriages drawn by white magnificent horses. It is stuff made of fairy tales, of serenades under the moonlight, of rose petals and stolen kisses and deep blushes after the first brush of skin on skin.
For who could resist the inherently feminine charm of a lace wedding gown?
Not the naturally romantic.
Small wonder, then, that such a style was chosen by up and coming young designer Junriz Henderin, who is all about celebrating femininity and the female form.
“Our style has evolved tremendously and every piece we create would have these trademarks — exquisite beadwork, figure-flattering silhouettes, and very feminine details (i.e. ruffles, embroidery, and laces),” Jun tells DNX.
Indeed, there is something about Junriz’s designs that celebrate the ideal female form: the tapered waistline, the way it emphasizes curves. The detailed beadwork, the intricate delicacy of lace meeting solid fabric. Every gown is both the work of an artist deeply in touch with his creative vision, and that of an artisanal, a craftsman with a steady hand and an eye for detail.
The promising designer was already making his own creations since high school (“That’s sometime 2002”) but it wasn’t until 11 years later that he finally opened shop.
It wasn’t all designing for him, though. He was a biologist for five years until he upped and decided to give up the scientific career. And so, he officially turned his back on his test tubes and microscropes and fully embraced the world of lace, fabrics, and beads.
His specialty? “I am drawn to making formal clothes for women and I love making bridal gowns.”
His expansive and expanding clientele covers Iloilo, Bacolod, and Manila.
Junriz was thus invited to be part of Born Brave advocacy, a benefit fashion show directed by Rodney Ascalon. The show, which will be on October 12, will be held at the SMX Convention Bacolod.
The event 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.
When the opportunity came via an invitation, Jun immediately grabbed it.
“I joined Born Brave because this could become an avenue to meet people who share the same passion as I do — that is designing clothes, and providing an opportunity to gather funds to support the specific organization for mental health advocacies,” he says.
Jun also emphasizes the need to put mental health a priority, as it is as important as physical health.
“Each one should aspire to reach a state of well being where we can realize our potentials, we can cope with normal stresses, we can work productively and able to make a contribution to the community,” he says.
He believes that we should “protect and promote the rights of people with mental health conditions so they get to receive the care and they require and the services the support they need to lead full lives in the community.”
