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| Designer Zandra Lim |
Zandra Lim of Zandra Lim Designs wanted more for her 15th
anniversary as a fashion designer than a gala or an announcement. She wanted it
to be special. Lim’s wish was for the anniversary to be personal and convey to
her family members, friends and clients how grateful she was.
And that’s how Crystal Bridal Fair was born. Held on
September 15-16 at Discovery Primea, the event gathered over 40 of the top
wedding suppliers in the Philippines, including photographers, makeup artists,
giveaway suppliers and many others.
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| Ms. Earth 2017 Karen Ibasco as the finale of Crystal Fashion Show |
“The initial plan was a fashion show and a silent auction of
the pieces worn by the models. But as Discovery Primea events manager Jayjay
Hega and I were conceptualizing it, Crystal just got bigger,” said Lim.
So what was supposed to be a show and silent auction became
a bridal fair with suppliers donating part of their sales to charity. The
proceeds of ticket sales to the fashion show and the auction would also go to
Lim’s chosen charity, the cancer patients in social service of the Cancer
Institute at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City.
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| Zandra Lim with husband Dr. Mars Imasa at Crystal Bridal Fair |
Lim’s husband, Dr. Mars Imasa, is an oncologist. One of his
frustrations is when cancer patients terminate their treatments due to
financial constraints. Lim has been helping cancer patients in funding their
treatments even before Crystal Bridal Fair came to be.
“The 15th anniversary of my presence in the
wedding industry was a good opportunity to push a cause bigger than what we
have been doing,” said Lim.
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| Crystal Fashion Show Aurora Borealis Collection |
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| Crystal Fashion Show Bride Collection |
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| Crystal Fashion Show Bride Collection |
Before the start of the Crystal Bridal Fair fashion show, a
video showing footage of Vinagre, Tigaon in Camarines Sur was shown to guests.
Lim commissions the women of Vinagre to do the embroidery and beadwork for her
gowns to supplement the incomes of families, who rely mostly on farming.
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| Crystal Fashion Show Bride Collection |
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| Crystal Fashion Show Bride Collection |
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| Crystal Fashion Show Contrast Collection |
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| Crystal Fashion Show Debutante Collection |
For the fashion show, Lim showed day suits for boys and men,
tuxedos and flower girl gowns. There were bridesmaids’ dresses and gowns that
can be worn for occasions other than weddings. All gowns showed Lim’s trademark
elegant look.
“The latest bridal trends are very grand and gowns mostly
have beading and embellishments. But we will see less of this in 2019. For next
year, I see simple, sleek silhouettes incorporating colors, structure and/or
uniqueness in each and every piece,” said Lim.
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| Crystal Fashion Show Groom's Wear Collection |
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| Crystal Fashion Show Groom's Wear Collection |
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| Crystal Fashion Show Multicoloured Collection |
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| Crystal Fashion Show Twinning Collection |
Also a big trend is that of matching mother and daughter
dresses or gowns.
In the years that she has been in the wedding industry, Lim
has seen a lot of changes in trends. One is the influence of social media,
where soon-to-weds can see thousands of pictures.
“In this sense, brides are exposed to different styles and
it’s up to them what appeals to them aesthetically,” said Lim.
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| Ernesto Andrei, Zelynne, and Zasha Lim at Crystal Fashion Show Gown |
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| Husbands Grand Gannaban and Ian O'neill at Crystal Fashion Show |
For the Crystal Bridal Fair fashion show, Zandra Lim Designs
didn’t go for models to walk down the ramp. Lim tapped some of her clients,
cancer survivors and social media influencers like blogger Nikki Tiu and transwoman
Toni Aviles to wear her beautiful creations.
“I wanted the audience to see the clothes worn by people who
aren’t model thin so they could visualize how it would look on them and the
clothes would be less intimidating,” said Lim.
For more information about Zandra Lim, go to
http://zandralimdesigns.com/
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