The fashion designer launches a line of affordable bridal wear.
Nothing can beat a wedding as a vision of love. That scene where the bride and groom hold hands, share their vows, and that “sealed with a kiss” ending is just a magical moment that pulls the heartstrings and brings out the romantics within us.
While the coronavirus pandemic has put out new sets of challenges for the soon-to-be weds, it is still heartwarming to see that in the middle of this crisis, love still prevails.
Here to help wedding wishes to come true is fashion designer Mark Bumgarner with his latest bridal collection, The Bridal Concept 2.0. Aiming to bring bespoke fashion with subtle elegance, the fashion designer crafted 29 dreamy and affordable ready-to-wear dresses and pantsuits fit for the “new kind of bride.”
The collection features new and classic silhouettes, from the flowy pleated dress with floral lace, to the reimagined Filipiniana style. The pieces are made of different kinds of materials such as crepe, gazar, a variety of lace, and Mikado silk, molded into a soft, structural design, a true Bumgarner hallmark.
Get to know more about The Bridal Concept 2.0 as Bumgarner chats with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle about beauty in simplicity, and his definition of “the new bride.” While you're at it, check out the collection's images shot in the halls of the collector’s dreamland, Casa de Memoria.
The Bridal Concept 2.0 collection is as ethereal and romantic as your past collections. How different is the experience of designing wedding dresses during this time of pandemic?
This pandemic has completely changed the wedding industry, and we don’t know for how long. Because of the social distancing measures still in place, couples have to resort to some sort of a plan B, which is to have an intimate wedding celebration instead of canceling or moving to a later date. After all, weddings are about the union of two people in love. Couples are learning that they can get married in a simple way yet still full of love and hope. This collection caters to those brides with this new mentality. Despite the pandemic, love is still not canceled.
Why is it important for fashion houses to offer garments that are affordable these days?
Aside from the economics of a wedding, I would like to offer a new kind of simplicity to couples who wish to get married. Weddings have been, for so long, a show that has lost its essence or meaning. This pandemic is changing that and has “forced” us to return to the basics, which really is about the union of two people.
I am also offering brides hassle-free shopping for dresses on their special day.
‘Couples are learning they can get married in a simple way yet still full of love and hope. This collection caters to those brides with this new mentality. Despite the pandemic, love is still not canceled.’
For you, what is the new kind of bride?
The new kind of bride is someone who understands and appreciates a new form of simplicity, whether about her dress or her wedding ceremony. She puts love above all else.
Do you think weddings still hold a special effect even in this crisis?
Love is not canceled, and weddings will continue pandemic or not. The question is how. Whether they get married in a civil ceremony or church wedding with 10 guests, this day can still be special, memorable, and elegant. Pompous weddings will be a thing of the past, at least for a few years.
Photography by Miguel Alomajan (migotilyomanila)
Styling by Austin Cortiguerra (@titsermila)
Beauty by Bonita Penaranda (@bonitapenaranda)