MODERN MUSE: Effervescence, Glamour, and Gladys Siao

Gladys has been a client for a while now, and over the years, I have had the privilege of creating a multitude of gowns and dresses for her. Sometimes sleek and architectural, sometimes frothy and fairytale-like, each garment is a style story waiting to unfold. We would sometimes begin with a color, sometimes a look or feel. We loved to vary each concoction, making sure the next one was a little different, but added something to the inadverted sartorial narrative we were creating.

When we had first met, and I hope she would agree, we had become fast friends and she had endeared herself to my entire family as well. Which is perhaps how this project, photographed by my brother Mark Perez, with makeup by my sister Marilene Perez, came about. Thanks to Gladys for the immense trust, and to her fiancé Terence Ang, who helped us with the shoot and also took behind-the-scenes photos. 

MODEL: Gladys Siao

PHOTOGRAPHY : Mark Perez

MAKEUP : Marilene Perez

Gowns by yours truly 

CREATIVE COLLAB: THE LAST DAYS OF SUMMER

When scorching days make way for moody mornings, faded pastel tones and watercolor florals channel a softened sense of femininity. Frilly frocks, worn with an attitude of insouciance, become the ultimate uniform for exploring and day dreaming around Manila's bourgeoning cafe scene. The contrast between a blush pink floral dress rendered in a flowy hourglass shape, and the rugged, faded softness of a denim jacket, evokes a thrown-together-cool we simply can't get enough of. 

Mariane Perez floral dress. 

Mariane Perez floral dress. Photography by Mark Perez.

Mariane Perez floral dress. Denim jacket model's own. Photography by Mark Perez.

And just as effortlessly gorgeous these photos are was the story behind their creation. It was actually my brother Mark Perez's idea to bring together like minded creatives for this project. His modern take on photography coupled with my fashions found their muse in Lean Nitorreda. Loved how this young doctor's graceful demeanour and super sweet smile instantly puts you at ease. All that beautiful energy found its home at Common Folk Coffee Bar, a inviting little enclave in White Plains that has long been a neighbourhood fave for their yummy coffee and scrumptious comfort food. 

Mariane Perez tulle dress. Photography by Mark Perez.

Mariane Perez tulle dress. Photography by Mark Perez.

Mariane Perez lace top and camisole and floral skirt. Photography by Mark Perez.

Mariane Perez tulle dress. Photography by Mark Perez.

Mariane Perez lace top and floral skirt. Photography by Mark Perez.

I am beyond thrilled seeing my creations seemingly have a life of their own in this photo series, exuding an elegant girlishness. They say the mark of a good fashion photograph is when you want to be the girl in the photo, and I think we've achieved just that. So thank you so much to our amazing photographer Mark Perez, our beautiful model Lean Nitorreda, and the generous people behind Common Folk who let us shoot in their wonderful place. 

I suppose if anything, our generation is one that knows how to share. In the realm of self-expression, there are times when working with other people creates a smoothie of creative juices, if you will. With everyone putting forth their bits, and trusting others to add generously to the mix, you can really surprise yourself with what you come up with. From new friends to fresh ideas, it's true that many hands make light work. Here's to more creative endeavours in the future! 

Fashion: Mariane Perez | Photography: Mark Perez | Model: Lean Nitorreda | Location: Common Folk

CELEB STYLESPIRATION: Mommy Marian & Baby Zia's Adorable Twinning Looks

She first burst into the scene reprising the iconic role of MariMar, altogether innocent and feisty. She's played a superhero, a fairy queen, a mermaid, and everything else in between. But Marian Rivera's newest role, and one I'm sure she holds very dear, is that of a Mom to Baby Maria Letizia.

I've been fortunate enough to dress up Ms. Marian before, but being able to create dresses for her and Baby Z is a particular treat for me. Who wouldn't love getting to doll up the country's Primetime Queen and her little princess? 

The first time we made something for them was for the birthday of Marian's Mom, Lola Amy. We created floral dresses in duchesse satin sourced from Hong Kong. The most intriguing part was that all her outfits had to be nursing-friendly. She's been quite vocal about breastfeeding Baby Zia, so much so that she was even awarded by the MCNAP as a Breastfeeding Influencer and Advocate. That said, how do you make dresses look pretty and also functional? Ms. Marian had some special requests for the design, and it was a learning experience and a privilege being able to create them for a new Mom. 

Thank you so very much Ms Marian (@therealmarian) for having me make your and Baby Z's matching dresses for your Mom's birthday today! It was such a dream come true! I've always wanted to make matchy Mommy & baby clothes and to have you and Zia wear them truly is beyond exciting!!! 😍😍😍 Maraming Salamat!!!! 👩‍👧👩‍👧👩‍👧 ••• RG @therealmarian ・・・ 😍 Little Marian 🎀 #MariaLetizia #PurelyBreastfed👌🏻 👗 - @marianeperez @marian_ootd

A post shared by Mariane Perez (@marianeperez) on Nov 5, 2016 at 6:35am PDT

And here's some behind-the-scenes magic as we concocted these frocks for them! I love bringing people into the design process, sort of share what goes on before dresses become dresses.

The making of Ms Marian Rivera's classic chic floral dress! Always kilig when I get to design for her, someone you can admire not only for being effortlessly beautiful, but also kind and sweet! 👗🌸✨🎀 Thank you again Ms Marian @therealmarian and to her super stylists @melvillesy @maitabaello @sharkktanael of @qurator_studio ✨#MarianRivera #MarianePerez #MarianOotd #behindtheseams #fairygodmotherfeels

A post shared by Mariane Perez (@marianeperez) on Nov 5, 2016 at 7:13am PDT

I was also happy to have made outfits for them for Baby Zia's first birthday. Ms. Marian wanted matching crimson dresses for this festive occasion. A sleek pencil cut sheath for her, and a cute little dress for Zia, with matching floral headband of course.

Happy Z Day!!!! 👧🏻🎂✨Truly enjoyed every aspect of making these twinning dresses for Baby Zia's first birthday party💃🏻💃🏻. It's so fulfilling when you see your creations finally come to life and become a part of people's celebrations and memories. Thank you so much @therealmarian for the trust!!! Happy Birthday Baby Zia! Wishing you all the very best! 💖✨🎂❤️️ (📸❤️️ @appleseigenmann ) #HappyZDay #BabyZiaOOTD #MarianOotd #MarianePerez #HappyBirthday

A post shared by Mariane Perez (@marianeperez) on Nov 26, 2016 at 12:19am PST

So very happy to be able to make twinning dresses for @therealmarian & Baby Z for her 1st birthday celebration today. 💃🏻💃🏻Happy Z Day Baby Zia, may God continue to bless you & the super sweet Dantes Family! 🎉✨🎂❤️️ #MariaLetizia #HappyZday RG: @marian_ootd : Who's excited to see Mommy Yan and Baby Zia's twinning dresses 👩‍👧by @marianeperez? 😍🙋🏼 #MarianOOTD #MarianRivera #BabyZiaOOTD #MarianePerez

A post shared by Mariane Perez (@marianeperez) on Nov 25, 2016 at 9:47pm PST

Always a picture of joy! 👩‍👧Mommy Yan & Baby Zia in twinning lace dresses from @ateliermarianeperez for Baby Z's 1st birthday party!💃🏻💃🏻 #MarianRivera #MarianOOTD #BabyZiaOOTD #MarianePerez #HappyZDay

A post shared by Atelier Mariane Perez (@ateliermarianeperez) on Nov 28, 2016 at 4:03am PST

A fashion moment this cute deserves proper documentation, especially for one as important as a baby's first birthday!

Happy Z Day! Who can resist these gigil-worthy twinning dresses for @therealmarian & Baby Zia?! 💃🏻💃🏻 Enjoyed creating these lace ensembles for Baby Z's first birthday. Happy birthday Z, may you grow up in light and love. Wishing the Dantes family all the very best!!! ✨❤️️✨ #MarianOOTD #BabyZiaOOTD #MarianePerez #HappyZDay #MarianRivera #BabyZia #fashionart

A post shared by Atelier Mariane Perez (@ateliermarianeperez) on Nov 27, 2016 at 5:19pm PST

Holiday season came along and for their Christmas family photo, they wore these chic polka dot shirt dresses with a very off-the-moment folksy trim. Here they are with dapper dad Dingdong Dantes in their home. 

A loving family is one's greatest blessings! Happy to see such a wonderful pic of the Dantes family celebrating Christmas together 🎄✨❤️ Love that Mommy Marian & Baby Zia are wearing yet another twinning ensemble by Mariane Perez!!!! 😍👯Thank you so much @therealmarian 💖 #MarianRivera #MarianOOTD #BabyZiaOOTD #MarianePerez #Christmas2016

A post shared by Atelier Mariane Perez (@ateliermarianeperez) on Dec 25, 2016 at 3:50pm PST

Since a lot of you guys loved the first illustration we made, I just had to make more!

Aren't they the cutest??? 👨‍👩‍👧A fun sketch I did of the Dantes family, with Mommy Marian @therealmarian and Baby Zia in matching Mariane Perez shirt dresses! Of course, we also have Dad Ding Dong and this is I think literally the first time I ever did a fashion illustration of a boy! Merry Christmas everyone, may all the warm fuzzy feels of the season last us well into 2017! #MarianePerez #MarianRivera #BabyZia #DongYanZia #DantesFamily #MarianOOTD

A post shared by Mariane Perez (@marianeperez) on Dec 25, 2016 at 4:21am PST

Another dotted sensation courtesy of these pastel frocks. Ms. Marian said their family had a tradition of wearing polka dots during the New Year, and it's something she wishes to pass on to Baby Z. Looks like they celebrated the coming of 2017 with a lot of laughter and family fun, don't you think? 

Spotted!!!! 🔴⚪️ Mommy Marian and Baby Zia in fun polka-dot dresses from @ateliermarianeperez to ring in the new year with family. Hope everyone had fun. Thank you again @therealmarian 😍😘 #MarianOOTD #BabyZiaOOTD #MommyandMe #MarianRivera #MarianePerez

A post shared by Mariane Perez (@marianeperez) on Jan 6, 2017 at 5:53pm PST

Spot On! Loving these fun, slightly vintagey polka dot dresses we made for the adorable duo of Mommy Yan & Baby Zia which they wore to welcome 2017! --- RG: @marian_ootd : Mommy Yan and Baby Zia's New Year twinning polka-dot dresses from @marianeperez 🔴👩‍👧 #MotherAndDaughter #MarianAndZiaOOTD #MarianRivera #MariaLetizia #MarianOOTD #MarianePerez

A post shared by Atelier Mariane Perez (@ateliermarianeperez) on Jan 6, 2017 at 6:00pm PST

For their trip to Bali, Mommy Yan and Baby Zia were totes adorbs in these chinoiserie print dresses. The look was such a fresh approach to resort dressing, and personally one of my faves with its delicate, old-world charm rendered in a modern silhouette. Baby Zia was in her element posing for the camera as well! 

Baby Zia you are too cute!!!! 👶🏻So happy to see the Dantes family having so much fun in Bali, with beautiful Mommy Marian and Baby Zia in twinning @marianeperez outfits! Girly and beachy at the same time, don't you think! Thank you @therealmarian 💖😍💙#MarianOOTD #BabyZiaOOTD #mommyandme #motherdaughterootd #MarianePerez

A post shared by Atelier Mariane Perez (@ateliermarianeperez) on Dec 31, 2016 at 7:02pm PST

Vacation feels in matchy matchy @ateliermarianeperez dresses! Truly adore Mommy Marian and Baby Zia in chinoiserie print dresses, having a fabulous time in Bali. Thank you @therealmarian 💙🌊✨🎀 #aroundZworld #MarianOOTD #BabyZiaOOTD #MarianRivera #MarianePerez #mommyandme (📸 @dongdantes)

A post shared by Atelier Mariane Perez (@ateliermarianeperez) on Dec 30, 2016 at 10:08pm PST

Sarap maging DESIGNER!!!! 👩‍👧👗🎀✨ But kidding aside, feel so blessed to be able to work with such sweet people as @therealmarian and Baby Zia, to see your creations brought to life with big smiles and fizzy giggles! Thank you so much Ms. Marian 😍😍😍 RG @therealmarian: Sarap maging "NANAY"😍#aroundZworld🎀 @marianeperez💕

A post shared by Mariane Perez (@marianeperez) on Dec 30, 2016 at 9:36pm PST

Since a lot of you guys totally loved this look on Ms Marian Rivera, which she wore with Baby Zia in Bali, we're sharing a simple sketch we made of this charming floral dress. Thanks for all the luurrvvve. And of course thank you @therealmarian 😍💙✨ #MarianOOTD #MarianRivera #MarianePerez #fashionillustration #fashionsketch

A post shared by Atelier Mariane Perez (@ateliermarianeperez) on Jan 17, 2017 at 8:12pm PST

They're also a hit in these pastel shirt dresses which they wore to a children's party. Loving the matching white shoes too! I'm sure they've started such a trend with their adorable twinning outfits. I'm not surprised if all the Moms in Manila start being twinsies with there babies.

Mother daughter bonding time! Cuties Marian Rivera and Maria Letizia in matchy-matchy @ateliermarianeperez shirtdresses! 🌼✨😊 #MarianOOTD #BabyziaOOTD #MarianePerez #mommyandme #minime #twinning

A post shared by Atelier Mariane Perez (@ateliermarianeperez) on Jan 11, 2017 at 7:37pm PST

The loveliest things sometimes come in the smallest of packages. Putting on the finishing touches for Baby Zia's floral shirt dress 🌼✨🌸 #babyziaootd #babycouture #details #atelierlife #latergram

A post shared by Atelier Mariane Perez (@ateliermarianeperez) on Jan 11, 2017 at 6:42pm PST

Our most recent foray into the twinning world are these Liberty print mint dresses which they wore for another intimate gathering. It's only been a few months but you can already see Baby Zia grow. She's such a fun-loving baby, and really starting to look like her Mom. A true Little Marian, if there ever was one. Of course, it's not lost on me that our names are almost the same, save for an extra letter on mine. I love to somehow think fate had something to do with it, wink wink. 

Mother daughter moments are the best!!! ✨👩‍👧✨Love Mommy Marian and adorable Baby Zia in twinning Mariane Perez liberty print dresses! ✨👗👗✨Thank you so much Ms @marianrivera 😍😍😍 #MarianRivera #MariaLetizia #MarianePerez #MotherDaughterOOTD

A post shared by Mariane Perez (@marianeperez) on Mar 23, 2017 at 7:59pm PDT

Liberty print love! Adore these twinning dresses we made for Mommy Yan & Baby Zia! ✨👗👗✨ #MarianRivera #MariaLetizia #MarianOOtD #MarianePerez

A post shared by Mariane Perez (@marianeperez) on Mar 23, 2017 at 8:59pm PDT

Thanks for all the love guys!

BRIDAL BLISS: Insouciant Glamour at Karel & Sean's Bride & Breakfast Pre-Wedding Shoot for

There is a certain poetry inherent in languid drapes and sweeping satin skirts, captured in moments of pensive surrender on a blooming bride-to-be. Serene moments of contentment, peppered with bursts of giddiness and soaring declarations of love. Such is the romance of this editorial by Bride and Breakfast with Karel Marquez and Sean Fariñas, that in its genteel splendour will stop you in your tracks.

The Bride and Breakfast team wanted to do bridal separates for my look, which is something I've been espousing for quite a while. There's just an element of fun to the thought of putting this together,  that go well together, but can also stand their own. The off shoulder neckline is still a most requested feature, but I wanted to play it up but creating a twist detail that is finished off like a bow. The soft peplum of the top then gracefully leads to a gloriously full skirt with a slit up to there, and a matching mini skirt of course. Despite the use of two different fabrics, the similarity in the feel gives it a cohesiveness.

Styled by Aira Franco and captured by Benjie Tiongco, the shoot of Karel and Sean at Casa Domingo mixes old world charm with fresh modernity. Glowing makeup is courtesy of Mariah Santos and hair by Avril Seguin. Of course, the beautiful bouquets that have the vivaciousness of wildflowers is by Teddy Manuel. We do love everything about this shoot, so prepare to swoon! And if you want even more gorgeousness don't forget to visit Bride and Breakfast for all the pics and a video by Treehouse Story too!

Told ya you'd swoon. A few days shy of the big day, we wish the happy couple all the best and that God continues to bless their journey! 

"BRIDAL BLISS": Maine Mendoza in Mariane Perez at the Aldub "Engagement Shoot"

The love team that took the entire country by storm is getting hitched! Well, in character and on their Kalyeserye at least. But even if it's just make believe, we can't help but feel giddy when we see Yaya Dub and Alden Richards all cozied up at their engagement photo shoot. Seeing them playing with bubbles and goofing around, it's easy to forget that all this is just for show. To say that these two have onscreen chemistry is the understatement of the century.

I've always admired Maine Mendoza for her candor and the unassuming way she has about her. With her quirky, down-to-earth charm, she has won over the hearts of not only her Eat Bulaga beau Alden Richards, but the entire country as well. So when I was asked if I had pieces for her prenup shoot by stylist Ash Aquino and Daryl Maat, I had my fingers crossed the whole time. Having her twirl about in a flirty tea length skirt, which is a signature look of mine, is truly a dream come true. Seeing how much fun they're having, I'm quite tempted to bust out one of these skirts and run about town! 

If you're just as emitted, here are some of the official photos of Maine and Alden photographed by Manny and April photography, and from the Eat Bulaga Facebook page. 

Ash Aquino was kind enough to send me a lovely OOTD of Maine! Really love the relaxed elegance of this shoot.

Maine Mendoza, also lovingly known as Yaya Dub, strikes a pose in this @ateliermarianeperez full circle skirt for her Prenup Photo Shoot with Alden Richards for Eat Bulaga. Styled by @ashaquino_ and @darylmaat ✨#MaineMendoza #MarianePerez #Aldub #AldubWeddingPrep #AldubPrenup #yayadub #weddingsPH #weddings

A photo posted by Atelier Mariane Perez (@ateliermarianeperez) on Oct 18, 2016 at 12:02am PDT

If their prenup shoot is spreading this much kilig, we can't wait for the wedding!!!