No, I have no plans to turn into a bakla. But I remember from 15-20 years ago that there were many dressmakers (very often bakla!) who were really rather good, in Manila, that a Filipina who wanted a nice evening dress would have one made for her, rather than buy off the peg in a mall (I do seem to recall that the dress makers often had their premises in malls, though!) and the process did not require a mortgage. Am I imagining this? If not, where to go?
Someone I used to be in contact with in Cebu, her mother made wedding dresses to order. Normally one at a time. She did this from home. The dresses looked the part okay, but I gather she made little from them so it wasn't exactly lucrative in the way we might see it but a little extra for her family.
My wife designed her wedding dress as sketches on a pad then found the material and had a dressmaker in Cebu make it for it. I'm no expert on dresses, but would say that in the UK,the same would have cost £5000+ Here in Oman, getting evening dresses is a nightmare. For the last ball at the British Ambassadors residence we had to go upto Dubai and spend several days searching the malls. Might have been better of booking flights to Manila for Marvie to get one made!
As regards a wedding dress, Kay announced that she proposed to get married in a white T shirt and white shorts.. that was before we discovered the Dress Code... so its a dressmaker for that, too...
The wife got her wedding dress made in Olongapo for about £250, that was back in 2004 though. Still not made for a handmade dress.
That sounds like what I want to hear! Got an address by any chance? I seem to remember that, in Manila, there was a floor in a mall, which I think was Harrison Plaza, in Malate, which was pretty much wall to wall dressmakers. Can any residents tell me if this is out of date?
It was on 18th street opposite St Joesphs church (where we got married). I seem to remember about 4 wedding stores. If you stand with the church to your back they where across the road and to your left, can't remember which one though. Hope that helps
Just to give you a little background on Manila rates.. I go to a designer in Makati and her rates are - cocktail dresses - 4500-5500php or 65-80GBP long gowns - 6500-8500php or 94 -122GBP My wedding gown was 100k php or about 1400GBP and was made by one of the best wedding designers in Manila. I got it for a bargain as other designs or designers can charge up to 250k php (3500 GBP) or more
Thanks very much. We've made a start - when Kay lived in Olongapo her babysitter when needed was her flatmate's bakla brother; he is really rather talented as a choreographer and when he announced that he wanted to try designing dresses I persuaded Kay to be his lead customer - the result was three long gowns and a cocktail dress for 18,000php. Because he and Kay are friends she can chat to him and explain exactly what she wants.
That's pretty good for the price. Do you mind if I take a look at the designs? Aside from having a reputation, designers rely on workmanship, fit and design.
Pheeewwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! Am I the cheap skate here...??? My wife designed her wedding dress and my Barong and had them made, and including the hire of 5 bridesmaids dresses and 7 other barongs, it didn't come to 15K php...
Hmm... I won't go as far as calling you as a cheapskate but then every couple has their own budget and financial capability In my circle, this is but normal and to a certain extent, expected of. Although I must say that you do get what you pay for most of the time and certain expectations are set for certain price ranges. This is a top wedding blog in the Philippines, you can have an idea of the type of designs and designers that I am talking of www.brideandbreakfast.ph
The original plan was for Kay to model them for Erica's website, but due to time constraints as they were adjusted "on the go" (much to Kay's delight - they had to be taken in!) this did not happen. Will see what I can turn up.
