Midnight romance

CEBU, Philippines - "It's actually the last few meters of the fabric from a customer," Dexter Alazas whispers about the dress sent down to the runway. The silhouette is so simple that you can actually slip into it without help, but detail-wise, you'd wonder if the seamstress ever got blind sewing all the lace and glitters by hand.

"That's the secret. I love surprising details," he goes on. His blush empire gown is quite appropriate to raise the curtains for his colleague at the bridal fair of Cebu City Marriott Hotel.

The designers showcased their collection inspired by weddings done at midnight—a little too imaginative yet possible.

Oj Hofer and Edwin Alba gave two different versions of seduction. No skin shown: Hofer skims the woman's form with lace and corset. Alba, on the other hand, wants to flaunt the bride's shoulder with a halter neckline.

Conscious of the woman's movement and grace, Dino Lloren drapes meters of tulle, skillfully sewed them into pleats attached to lace cut-outs.

And then there's Philipp Tampus who has a new way of sewing ostrich feathers on the dress-always a consistent haute couture devotee. (FREEMAN)