Being an event stylist requires not just knowing what makes a good celebration—ambiance, food, music, and style—but also having the skill to make these elements sing in harmony. This is something Gideon Hermosa has mastered.

While studying Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Baguio, Gideon worked on various projects for classmates and extended circles, many of them are for free. His first task was to transform a humble venue for a housemate’s wedding. During that time, he would check and collect the Manila Bulletin’s People and Parties pages, a section for society events, galas, balls, and life milestones. Little did he know that the spaces he would one day curate and transform would become the settings for some of the most talked-about events in the industry.

“Back then, ‘event designer’ wasn’t even a term people used,” Gideon says. “But I knew, even from the start, that I wanted to shape experiences, to build beauty with meaning. It wasn’t just about making things look nice. It was about making people feel something. That instinct has never left me.”

In 2010, Gideon established The Events Studio by Gideon Hermosa in Pangasinan, marking the first chapter of his career. Eventually, he took on high-profile projects, styling the weddings of celebrities Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, Iza Calzado and Ben Wintle, and Toni Gonzaga and Paul Soriano. His celebrity profile also includes the likes of Anne Curtis, Kathryn Bernardo, and Bea Alonzo. With the launch of House of Hermosa in 2019, he expanded his reach, styling major events not just in the Philippines but also abroad.

As he marks his 15th anniversary, Gideon sits down with Manila Bulletin Lifestyle to reflect on his journey, share insights into his creative process, and offer a glimpse into where he sees the industry heading in the next 15 years.

My compass is always to start with my clients’ wedding dreams. While I have plenty of ideas, my focus is on narrowing them down to create a once-in-a-lifetime space that truly feels theirs. Creativity is limitless, and my process is all about tailoring each design to fit the unique story and vision of every couple I work with.

With careful planning, creativity, and the trust and confidence of those I work with, I feel incredibly blessed to be where I am today. Honestly, 15 years feels like it was just yesterday. That same raw passion still drives me. This pushes me to keep refining my craft, exploring new ideas, and staying curious. I'm not just building dreams for myself, but also for the amazing people who work twice as hard behind the scenes in our team. Their dedication inspires me every day.

Refined storytelling through intimate details, emotional resonance, and a distinctly human touch.

I always aim to create intentional beauty, resonating with the purpose of the event I design and how intimately it means to my clients. It has always been my focus. The rest of it is innately how I feel about event designing and that is to connect people and bring them together in a space that I reimagined for them.

So cliché, but it’s true—just keep moving forward. Rejections are often redirections, and criticism, while tough, can be a stepping stone toward where you’re meant to be. Keep learning, keep evolving, and never stop refining your craft. The growth comes in the doing.

Fifteen years from now, I hope to still be creating in newer ways, mentoring, and curating experiences that go beyond weddings but still carry that same heart. As for the industry, I see it becoming even more personal, purposeful, and intimate. We’ll see more designs that reflect identity, heritage, and emotion, with trends guiding the heart of it. It's an exciting time to reimagine what celebration really looks like.