Albert Andrada: Unpredictable & Spontaneous

After 20 years of fashion designing in Dubai, couturier Albert Andrada has decided to open an atelier in Makati. Known for his excellent craftsmanship and heavy embellishments, Andrada is sure to delight Manila society with his cocktail dresses and gowns.

Andrada shares, “My styles are very unpredictable and spontaneous. They change from season to season. Utmost concern is ease and wearability without compromising elegance of the human form. Opulence in details (or in local parlance being meticuloso) is the frame of reference in each Andrada creation, which is very evident in my needlework, embellishment and embroidery.”

Andrada finished his studies at Slim’s Fashion and Arts School. He credits Slim’s for teaching him about discipline as well as opening his eyes to the true essence of fashion. He was a member of Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines and opened an atelier in Quezon City when he was offered a job as creative director for one of the couture houses in Dubai.

“Dubai is a very modern city,” Andrada says. “It is also one of the most expensive places I have ever lived in. Think of the most expensive thing and for sure you’ll find it there.”

In 2002, Andrada won the  prestigious Swarovski Designer of the Year award where he bested 25 contestants from different countries. From then on, he was offered to be the designer of the royal family of one of the emirates in the UAE.

“The competition brought me to the attention of a royal family representing one of the emirates of UAE to be their official royal designer. My stay in the Middle East especially in the royal palace gave me the rare opportunity to enhance my craft. A keystone to this experience was the unwavering exposure to glitz and glamour as I traveled in all the fashion capitals of the world. But I, too, did not let a stone unturned, I continued to search and learn from a variety of cultures of different countries, which made me adapt their best as my inspiration for every collection.”

And how does Dubai’s clientele differ from Manila’s? “Years ago, Dubai clients went for heavily-decorated dresses. Times have changed and now, most of the Emirati ladies go for fewer embellishments. They do value highly-priced fabrics and accessories. The Filipino clients are different. They have always gone for simple and very wearable lines. Most of my clients are not partial to embroidery. Filipinas do not need to wear fully-embellished dresses; their beauty and character speak for themselves. I am so glad that even men nowadays are vain, especially in fashion,” Andrada explains.

His store in Greenbelt 5 is his comeback project. He wants to share to the Filipinos what he learned abroad. He says it is his way of paying back where he started from. His line in the store is all luxe wear. He will also have dresses with high quality fabrics like silk chiffons, Marco Lagattolla tulles, Solstiss laces and Swarovski components to name a few. He will make hand-embroidered pieces, too.

“My advice to young designers is to never stop dreaming! Always follow your heart’s desire. Fashion is never ending. Keep on researching and never stop exploring. I believe that one’s success depends on oneself. Don’t let go of your dreams, and always dream big,” Andrada concludes.

(E-mail Albert Andrada at Andrada.albert@gmail.com or call 0917-599-1131 for more information.)

(Visit www.uptowndowntownsite.blogspot.com for more articles.)

Photography by Joanne Zapanta-Andrada • Hair and makeup by Raz Rimor (0906-967-3269) • Model: Malu Mello • Shot on location at The Bellevue Manila • Special thanks to Ryan Chan