Photos by Star Sabroso
The first collaboration between designer Mark Bumgarner and actress turned painter Love Marie Ongpauco-Escudero culminated in a well attended gala last Monday at Dusit Thani Manila hotel. The 40-piece collection was definitely a sight to behold, 15 of which were thoroughly and carefully hand painted by Love Marie herself.
A dozen sleek and tailored sexy dresses opened the show with a theme apparently inspired by Mazda – one of the major sponsors of the show– with the collecion pieces done in black and red. Then came Julia Barretto – who opened the first set of the collection for #MBxLM – wearing a dress that was set for auction that night for the benefit of the Corridor of Hope Foundation and the Thalassemia International Association (formerly Balikatang Thalassemia Foundation). Other show stunners include pieces worn by the designer’s muses Lovi Poe, Gabbi Garcia, Bianca Valerio, Maggie Wilson-Consunji, Hillarie Parungao, and Ara Arida.
The main highlight of the star-studded show were the hand painted, hand graved, hand-tacked corsets and hand-embellished dresses that are worthy of the red carpet. The details in each clothing make each piece a wearable art.
#MBxLM opened the New Year with a great show and collection that is definitely one for the books this 2016. This first collaboration between two young artists is certainly not the last. “We do accept commission works,” says Love Marie.
Maybe after this show, both Mark and Love Marie’s phones will be off the hook with clients asking for personalized dresses.
The #MBxLM gala was produced by Fearless Productions Inc. with co-presenters Mazda and Dusit Thani Manila. Other sponsors of the event were Bettina Araneta Aboitiz, New San Jose Builders, Inc., Frabelle Corporation, Philippine Estates Corporation, GoPro, Mac Cosmetics, Creations by Lourd Ramos, Grey Goose, Janylin, and Albert Kurniawan.