Center of attraction

CEBU, Philippines - Had he not been in fashion,Wendell Quisido would have beena prolific music conductor.

Or perhaps, the film director behind the elaborate set of Anna Karenina.

He is cunning at orchestrating wishes. At his atelier on New Era street in Mabolo—where I sat one December afternoon—ladies marched in, bride after bride.

Quisido listened closely to the heartbeat of their imagination. Displayed on the window were his bridal collections, which can survive without further sales talk. Future brides seemed to be so magnetized by the story the fashion designer tells about each piece.

Either he lets the bride walk in a nymph-themed number or in a ball gown covered with white tiles of fabrics sewn loosely, he has mastered the skill of fabric manipulation.

Although he has never been married in his life, he still knows how it feels: "Women always want to give in to their fantasy for their wedding. Weddings now become an expression of how much they love each other and how they treasure the guests."

Appliqués are now treated with triple dimensions; most of them embroidered floral patterns layered on top of each other. He plays very well with skin illusions, opting for sheer fabrics (tulle and chiffon) and dramatic, romantic silhouettes (princess and A-line).

"Whatever the directions I take, I see to it they would feel comfortable wearing the dress," he said. "And I want to be part of it."

Had Wendell Quisido not been in fashion, he'd still be the bride's best friend. ~Clint Holton Potestas

MODEL: Jessika Knight

MAKE-UP AND HAIR: Bertha Canonigo Smith (0932-396-8700) with Kristina Genson

Shot on location at Big Q Farm, 27 Transcentral Highway, Sitio Cantipla 2, Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City

FASHION STYLIST: Clint Holton Potestas