With his penchant for whimsical elements and dramatic silhouettes, the designer adds a touch of couture to bridal fashion Bold, striking, and otherworldly—those are just a few words to describe the creations of Ehrran Montoya. Since he established his fashion house during the pandemic, the Filipino fashion rose as one of the top designers to watch with his whimsical take on couture. His pieces have been worn by Filipino celebrities, top muses, and even international personalities.
This time, he tasked himself to produce a line that puts the most important gown in woman would wear in her life to another level. Dubbed “Secret Garden,” the fall-winter 2024 collection is Ehrran’s inaugural line for bridal wear. While he designed wedding gowns in the past, it is his first time releasing a whole collection dedicated to wedding bliss.
“What sparked me to produce the collection are my recent bridal appointments in which my clients requested a voluminous ‘Chrysalis’-inspired wedding gown,” Ehrran tells Style Weekend. “I haven't showcased a full set of bridal pieces and this is something fulfilling as I also questioned myself before, what would an Ehrran Montoya bridal look like?” Ehrran has been known for taking inspiration from the most unusual sources. In the past, he created couture collections that paid homage to the beauty of nature.
Examples of this are the “Lepidoptera” and “Secrets of Metamorphosis” collections, which explored the charm of butterflies, and the Spora collection, a nod to the reproductive particle, usually a single cell released by a fungus, alga, or plant, that may germinate into another, among others. In the case of the “Secret Garden,” the designer looked at the idyllic Regency Gardens of the Victorian era. “These gardens embody the era’s adoration for classical beauty, symmetry, and harmonious landscapes,” the designer explains.
“These gardens merge structured designs with whimsical elements, crafting spaces that are both inviting and grand. Fusing elements like ornate fountains, winding pathways, and lush floral arrangements is essential in the making of the collection.” Every piece of the “Secret Garden” is unique and ethereal.
The materials he used for the pieces are tulle with combinations of jusi for the base, making them look dreamy and lightweight even with their dramatic silhouettes. It took Ehrran and his team two months to complete the entire collection. Romantic yet unconventional, the collection is for the soon-to-be-wed couple who wants to take their wedding looks up a notch.
“What we produced is something different from our usual bridal looks for clients because I followed my vision and decided to showcase wedding gowns that are outside the box,” Ehrran muses. “By doing this, it will attract more brides who are looking for something unusual and I believe there are a lot out there who are into these kinds of silhouette and grandeur.” When asked what an Ehrran Montoya bride is, the designer desbribed her as sophisticated yet loud.
“She is someone who is unapologetically fearless and she doesn't let anyone dictate her choices in life,” he elaborates. “The moment you see an Ehrran Montoya bride, she is the definition of elegance or should I say eleganza ?” Photographer: Dookie Ducay Creative Direction: Rey John Legaspi Videographer: Nigel Del Mundo Sittings editor: John Roland Legaspi Set Design: Rocketsets by Migo Alomajan and Rey John Legaspi Stylist: Regi Cruz Makeup artists: Jan Dayaon, Elaine Dcs, and Angela Olonan Hairstylist: Jey Flores, Bryan Eusebio Models: Mercator Talent Agency, special thanks to Mau De Leon Producer: Gab Fagela, assisted by Team Atelier Montoya and Team RegiToWear Location: Rocketsets Studio Mezzanine floor, SCC Building, Old Sta Mesa St., Sta Mesa Manila Hello, readers! Do you have a story you want us to feature? You can—reach us via [email protected] or on Facebook , Instagram , and Tiktok .
.
