Here’s what to expect from her very first pop-up store I first heard of fashion designer Hannah Kong when I spotted her store at The Podium a few years back. The windows had mannequins dressed in bridal gowns with decadent embellishments and delicate lace. They were enchanting and whimsical—fitting for brides who have always dreamt of stepping into a fairy-tale world.
My next encounter with her label was earlier this month when she officially opened her very first ready-to-wear (RTW) pop-up at SM Aura. “A few years after we opened our bridal store, I felt I was ready to go back to RTW with a renewed focus on creating easy-to-wear pieces that are suitable for various occasions,” she explained. Not all fashion designers go through the same journey, and Kong reflected on her own path, “It’s a fun challenge for a designer like me who’s been doing custom orders for years now, but it’s really a rewarding experience seeing our ideas come to life.
” Entering the store felt like passing through another realm where everything had soft hues and was sprinkled with pixie dust. Like a little girl being welcomed into a fairyland, I was in awe of the exquisite beadwork and craftsmanship, and her choice of accents and fabrics. It was then that I learned of the designer’s background.
After graduating with a fashion design degree from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, she enrolled in further studies in Paris, France. “I took up a couture embroidery course at Ecole Lesag.