For designer Ehrran Montoya, fashion is more than the creation of beautiful garments. It is a way of translating ideas, emotions, and something deeper into a tangible form.

His latest collection, “Astralis,” takes inspiration from Lemuria, a mythical lost continent often associated with an ancient golden age of spiritual harmony and higher consciousness. Rather than treating Lemuria as a physical place, however, the designer embraces it as an archetype—a symbol of purity, unity, and humanity’s connection to something greater.

“Astralis,” a Latin word meaning “revealed by the stars,” reflects this philosophy. Each piece represents a soul’s journey toward awakening and remembrance, drawing from the chakra system, sacred geometry, the Flower of Life, the Fibonacci sequence, cosmic roots, and the idea of the soul rising.

“I don’t approach the creative process simply by deciding what I want to design,” Ehrran tells Manila Bulletin Lifestyle. “I open myself to receiving what wants to come through.”

He describes the designs as “divine downloads,” saying that much of the collection came through dreams and visions. For two months, he would sketch the ideas that came to him, allowing the collection to develop organically.

The resulting pieces were presented last June at Conrad Inspired Beginnings, an annual event celebrating weddings and creative beginnings. What Ehrran sent down the runway were celebration looks that were dramatic, statement-making looks rather than simply following conventional bridal codes.

He believes this approach reflects a broader shift among today’s couples, who are increasingly interested in clothing that feels personal rather than simply traditional.

“Couples are becoming more interested in expressing who they are through what they wear,” he says. “They want something that feels personal, meaningful, and true to their identity.”

The collection also served as a laboratory for experimentation. Menswear explored different expressions of personality, from an iridescent, heavily embellished look and a more understated dye-sublimated ensemble to a minimalist matte-silk silhouette.

Womenswear pushed the experimentation further through airbrush ombré, pleating with monofilament, abaca draping, fabric manipulation, sculptural cut-outs, metallic leather, laser cutting, embossed details, and various beading techniques. The use of abaca, in particular, reflects the designer’s desire to continue working with Filipino artisans.

Apart from elevating wedding day ensembles, “Astralis” also marks the next stage of the designer’s journey, one centered on limitless potential and remembering the power that already exists within.

“I hope people are reminded that each of us walks a different path,” Ehrran muses. “It is not about who is better or who is the best, but about discovering more of ourselves, remembering who we are, and recognizing the power that already exists within us.”