Bold, striking, and otherworldly—these are just some of the words to describe the creations of Ehrran Montoya. Ever since he established his fashion house during the pandemic, he has risen as one of the top Filipino designers to watch, thanks to his odd yet awe-inspiring take on couture. His pieces have been worn by Filipino celebrities, top muses, and even international personalities. This time, he has tasked himself with producing a line that elevates the most important gown a woman will wear in her life.
Dubbed Secret Garden, the fall-winter 2024 collection is Ehrran’s inaugural line for bridal wear. Although he has designed wedding gowns in the past, this is his first time releasing an entire collection dedicated to wedding bliss.
“What encouraged me to produce this collection were my recent bridal appointments, where my clients requested a voluminous Chrysalis-inspired wedding gown,” Ehrran tells Style Weekend. “I haven't showcased a full set of bridal pieces before, and this is something fulfilling as I also questioned myself before: What would an Ehrran Montoya bridal gown look like?”
Ehrran is known for drawing inspiration from the most unusual sources. In the past, he has created couture collections that paid homage to the beauty of nature, such as the Lepidoptera and Secrets of Metamorphosis collections, which explored the charm of butterflies, and the Spora collection, which nodded to fungi. The Chrysalis collection mirrored the caterpillar’s life cycle through indigenous textiles with silver fibers. For “Secret Garden,” the designer drew inspiration from the Regency Gardens of the Victorian era.
“These gardens embody the era’s adoration for classical beauty, symmetry, and harmonious landscapes,” the designer explains. “They merge structured designs with whimsical elements, creating spaces that are both inviting and grand. Incorporating elements like the ornate details of fountains, the curves of winding pathways, and lush floral arrangements is essential in crafting this collection.”
Every look in the Secret Garden collection is unique, ethereal, and has a character of its own. The materials used include tulle combined with jusi for the base, giving the pieces a dreamy and lightweight appearance despite their dramatic silhouettes. Romantic yet unconventional, the collection is designed for soon-to-be-wed couples who want to take their wedding looks to the next level.
“What we have produced is something different from our usual bridal looks because I followed my vision and decided to showcase gowns that are outside the box,” Ehrran muses. “By doing this, we aim to attract brides looking for something unusual. I believe many are into these kinds of silhouettes and grandeur.”
Sophisticated yet bold, that’s how Ehrran Montoya describes the woman he designed the Secret Garden for. “She is someone who is unapologetically fearless and doesn’t let anyone dictate her choices in life,” he elaborates. “When you see an Ehrran Montoya bride, she embodies elegance—or should I say, eleganza?”
Photographer: Dookie Ducay
Creative Direction: Rey John Legaspi
Videographer: Nigel Del Mundo
Sittings editor: John Roland Legaspi
Set Design: Rocketsets by Migo Alomajan and Rey John Legaspi
Stylist: Regi Cruz
Makeup artists: Jan Dayaon, Elaine Dcs, and Angela Olonan
Hairstylist: Jey Flores and Bryan Eusebio
Models: Mercator Talent Agency, special thanks to Mau De Leon
Producer: Gab Fagela, assisted by Team Atelier Montoya and Team RegiToWear
Location: Rocketsets Studio, Mezzanine floor, SCC Building, Old Sta Mesa St., Sta Mesa Manila
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