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RoyAnne Camillia Couture: Whimsical, Timeless Gowns for Princesses and Brides-to-Be

Of course you would want to look dazzling on your special day – be it your prom, wedding, or birthday, when in Manila. You can picture your dream dress already: whimsy chiffon with lots of lace.  You know you’d look fabulous in it; the only thing that needs to happen is for you to find it in the realm of reality.

You’ve already gone to every store in every mall, yet nothing just seems to fit you perfectly. The dress of your dreams is nowhere to be found.

Aside from that, you also need to find shoes and accessories to achieve that look that you’re aiming for. While dressing up can be fun, preparing for a big day can be quite frustrating, especially when you have to work within a certain budget within a limited span of time.

Worry not, my dear damsel. RoyAnne Camillia Couture is the fairy godmother of every woman’s dream. For as low as P500, you can rent a cocktail dress, inclusive of shoes and accessories. Free of charge, necessary alterations may be made to ensure that the gown will fit flawlessly on your body. Rentals can go as high as P5,000, especially for more intricately designed bridal gowns.

As I was browsing through the clothing racks, this aquamarine dress (called Aurora) caught my eye. I was so mesmerized by its beauty that I had to stop and stare at it for a while. It felt like magic in my hands. I’m very particular about the feel of cloth; I was afraid that what I saw before me was too good to be true. However, it was perfect. The lace was soft as cotton. There weren’t any rough edges that would prick my skin.

I’ve worn dresses from rental shops before, but this one is the best one I’ve tried on so far. The case with other rented gowns is that you feel like you’re the one adjusting to the form of the dress. It’s as if the dress is the mold, and you have to be the one to fit into it. It feels like it really is another person’s, and you have to somewhat compromise your own comfort and style just to be able to wear it.

With RoyAnne Camillia Couture, however, you truly own your dress – you “own” it in the sense that the dress you wear perfectly complements your body. This is what I felt when I wore their Aurora dress. Its lacy fabric graciously enveloped my skin. The dress may be for rent, but my individuality isn’t. In that span of time that I wore the Aurora dress, it was one with me. It truly reinforced the feeling of being comfortable in my own skin and believing in my own sparkle.

Often, we look for things that are pretty, but most importantly, we have to consider the quality and the fit of the dress. No matter how expensive-looking or intricately-done a dress is; if it doesn’t fit right, it won’t make you shine.

“Some ladies come to me and say, ano ba ang uso ngayon (what is the trend nowadays)?” I tell them, “Don’t think about the trend. Think about what your personal style is because that in itself is timeless.” RoyAnne reiterates.

“Beautiful ladies come to my shop, and it surprises me that quite a number of them are very concerned with their flaws. People say fashion is superficial. I don’t think that’s true. It is a powerful tool. Through the dresses I make, I find fulfillment in bringing out the beauty that is already within them,” she continued.

They say that you should look for someone who believes in your own beauty and who will help you magnify that light, when in Manila. A great poet named Rumi once said, “Seek those who fan your flames.” You’ll find exactly that here at RoyAnne Camillia Couture.

Article: Kristin Militante
Photo: Charlie Ledesma
wheninmanila.com

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