STYLE FOCUS: 6 Ways to Wear a Ballgown Skirt

Who doesn't love a good, old-fashioned, princess-worthy ballgown? With it's cinched waist and glorious full sweep, it's so easy to fall in love with these versatile stunners. And aside from being so gosh darn pretty, they're easy to style too, and perfect for the multi-hyphenate of today who looks just as effortless in a boardroom as she does at brunch.

Which is why I was so excited to launch my Willow midi skirt, and Emma ballgown skirts last year! At that time, there was a dearth of such ladylike options, and  I thought a pleated number would not only be glamorous, it would also be able to camouflage a lot of secrets (I mean hips, people, hips). And the pockets were just the icing on the cake. Imagine having your phone right beside you for selfies! A lot of my clients have been asking me for tips on how to wear and then rewear them, so without further ado, here are our fave ways to style these full-flared marvels.

1. Pair it with a white shirt

Two classics are always better than one. At least that's how we feel about white shirts and tea length skirts – a look that exuded nonchalant elegance for Audrey Hepburn, and still looks just as fresh today. Witness Marian Rivera in all her button-down and pink skirt perfection, as she shoots scenes for her role as Jade in her upcoming soap, The Rich Man's Daughter. Or our clients Abby and Minette as they navigate everyday life with uptown panache in crisp shirts and tropical skirts. It's a great look that goes from office to after hours with a quick change of accessories, and one I'm sure us girls will always love. 

MARIAN RIVERA PHOTO FROM JOHN PAUL DIZON

2. Slip on a Slinky Tank 

The easiest way to make a look interesting is to add contrast. Pair a Stepford-Wife inspired skirt with a slinky camisole and you are sure to have a head-turner. It shows off skin, maybe even a bit of décolletage, without going overboard. And adding a bit of shimmer never hurt anyone either, as we can see from Max Collins and our client Kymi who paired our Arya sequin camis with their full-length skirts. For day, take a cue from stunners Cristine Reyes and Isabel Oli who look fresh and fabulous in their laidback but girly pastel ensembles. 

CRISTINE REYES PIC FROM CHASE CHUA, ISABEL OLI PIC FROM JOHN PAUL DIZON, MAX COLLINS PIC FROM ASH AQUINO

3. Go Glam in a Long-Sleeved Top

Nothing exudes understated elegance more than a fitted black top with a cinched waist skirt. There's something about it that oozes femininity from a bygone era, but with a laid-back elegance that's just a relevant today. Just one look at J. Lo's red carpet ensemble and you get how delightfully lovely the look is. It's the perfect outfit for when you're in a celebratory mood, as seen on our client Trixie who twirled on her birthday in full-flaired crimson. For maximum impact, add pearls, and channel Liz Taylor in all her vintage glory.

4. Be Feminine in a Lace Top

Show off slivers of skin in this demure, date-ready ensemble. We love how our clients Macy and Kathlyn made the floral skirts their own by pairing them with dainty lace tops. Aimee Song does a modern take in a boxy lace number paired with a bright pink skirt. But if you really want to drive the girly point home, then there's nothing like traipsing around in head-to-toe blush. To make it less precious, opt for a neutral pink and finish off with retro sunnies and studded pumps.

5. Dare to Bare in a Crop Top 

Crop tops and full skirts are an unlikely match made in fashion heaven. By showing just a sliver of skin, one teeters on the brink of sexy, whilst still being feminine and fun. We love how LJ Reyes is just owning the look in a femme fatale black top and sweeping gold faille Mariane Perez skirt. Or teen princess Liza Soberano who was naughty and nice in her ensemble of cutouts and garden florals. Not to be outdone, our client Minette restyles her Willow skirt (see No.1) into a vacay-ready ensemble by switching her polo shirt for a bikini top. It's a look that's just as home in a resort as it is in a red carpet and we can't wait to get styling!

LJ REYES PIC FROM STYLEBIBLE, LIZA SOBERANO PIC FROM PERRY TABORA

6. Showcase your heritage in Filipiñiana

Any stylish Pinay worth her salt would have a few Filipiñiana looks at her beck and call. And while butterfly sleeves will always be a fave, there are days when a gamine look beckons us with its understated allure. Witness actress Bela Padilla in her barong-inspired blouse and shantung Mariane Perez skirt. Or PR maven NJ Torres, and our client Nica, who paired their duchesse satin skirts with piña and jusi stunners. And as an ode to the baro't saya silhouette, Chynna Ortaleza dons a boxy top with flutter sleeves on top of her orchid pink skirt. With these lovely looks, the Maria Clara ethos truly lives on!

CHYNNA ORTALEZA PIC FROM JP DIZON, BELA PADILLA FROM INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT @BELAPADILLA, NJ TORRES PIC FROM MEGASTYLE.PH

What are your favourite ways to wear a ball gown skirt? Share your photos by tagging @ateliermarianeperez on Instagram or leaving a comment below! We'd love to have a look-see!

BRIDAL BLISS: My Best Friend's Wedding

It is a rare privilege for designers to become a part of the lives of their brides, as through loving hands they literally craft the last garment one wears as a single woman. It's a transformative piece, one sprinkled in fairy dust and bestowed on with such power and reverence that holds us all in its thrall. And if it's to be worn by your childhood bestie, then I do think it becomes all the more magical.

PHOTO BY JUN SONG

That is the story of me, and Karaine, my BFF from grade school who moved to Australia and met the love of her life Victor. I was in New York (studying at FIT and interning at Marchesa and Vera Wang) when she got engaged and given that we were continents apart, we weren't sure how to pull off making her princess wedding gown. But love can truly move mountains and I was so excited that I had to come back home to Manila to start making it! 

Like all crazy endeavours, we started off with a plan, a.k.a. a sketch. She ultimately chose this design, a drop waist lace bodice finished off with ruffles galore! 

She could only come to Manila once or twice for fittings before the big day, so we had to make it work. At this point, I would like to commend my friend's immense trust in me, that I would come up with something pretty for her special day. During the three months or so that we were crafting her gown, all she got were progress photos. We got so fond of the dress we've nicknamed her Ms. Fluffles (now, Mrs. Fluffles, naturally). With more than a hundred yards of organza (plus plus plus), I would say she's earned her moniker. 

I got to Perth two weeks before the wedding, and with bated breath, Karaine tried on her gown. Thankfully, it was a great fit and apart from a few length issues, it was perfect!!! More importantly, the bride-to-be was happy, and that's all a designer-friend could ever ask for!

The wedding was held on a gorgeously sunny day in Perth, Australia. The ceremony was in a quaint chapel in Fremantle filled with a lot of history, followed by a lovely reception of close family and friends at Caversham House in Swan Valley. The couple's adventurous photographer, Jun Song, took these photos around the port city of Fremantle and at the wedding reception venue. 

Aside from the wedding gowns, my other favourite thing to make are flower girl dresses! Who could resist all that cuteness, really?! Karaine wanted mini-mi gowns but she still wanted them to look like sweet little girls. The result, organza ball gowns with lovely pink sashes!

The two flower girls plus a third, honorary one who was smart enough to match the color scheme! 

This was us at flower girl Amelia's dress fitting in Perth. I also got her measurements via email so we were so happy the dress fit. Her little sister was equally excited and joined us for a nice, little cuddle on the floor. 

And finally, the bride and her entourage. It was like a mini-reunion as it had been me, another bosom buddy from grade school Stephanie, and the bride's cousin Wena. 

And so ends my little tale of love, rendered in cascading ruffles, beautiful bows, and sparkly lace. But as this bridal gown bids you adieu, for it's served its mission well, it does usher in a beautiful new life for the couple filled with a lifetime of bliss and a future of hope.

MARIANE'S MUSES: Anne Curtis Smith for Primadonna

Anne Curtis. Her given name may not be idiosyncratic enough to allow her the luxury of dropping her last, but trust me when I say, she is a star who needs no introduction. She's like Beyonce, who despite having the same 24 hours in a day, was able to sing, dance, act, host, model, have amazing abs in the time you and I Facebooked, Buzzfeeded, Instagram-stalked our crushes (and frenemies), Whatsapped the news to our posse, got a latte, and then napped.

Her versatility and down-to-earth-glamour is akin to fab shoe brand Primadonna, whose trendy boutiques are filled to the brim with haute heels for sexy nights out, beaded sandals for the beach, or cute flats for day. It's a label I love so when I was asked to make clothes for their 2014 Holiday campaign shoot, starring Anne Curtis, I couldn't say YES fast enough! 

Chanelling the festive holiday season, the campaign of sexy stilettos and metallic hues was a sight to behold! This was one of the final layouts captured by lensman BJ Pascual of Anne in a metallic jersey mini with chain-strap detail paired with strappy black heels. Shoes are getting very delicate and this black one is a classic!

Naturally, I couldn't stop myself from snapping a photo of the larger-than-life poster in the store. It just makes everything feel super legit! 

A photo posted by Mariane (@marianeperez) on Dec 27, 2014 at 8:20pm PST

And for some déjà vu, I also designed this gown for the label's Pre-Holiday campaign last year, which reveled in  a punk-rock theme. Melville, one of Pam Quinones' styling associates, asked for cutouts, slinkiness, and a slits galore! Rendered in velvet, I do think the whole outfit had a sultry quality about it, and looked great with Primadonna's silver platforms. 

Going back to gold...the 2014 ad campaign was actually shot earlier in that year, I would say maybe a week after Anne's unfortunate jellyfish incident. And despite being on the road to recovery, Amazing Anne posed with such glamour and moved with such infectious energy. Seriously, what jellyfish?

Here are some behind the scenes goodies from the super fun and high energy shoot. Anne was such a natural at posing, and was gorgeous in every frame! 

In between takes, hairstylist Raymond Santiago makes sure her hair is super perfect! 

Of course after the shoot, we all kinda lined up to get photos with her. There was a bunch of us, but she had time for every little fan girl on set! 

Me and Valerie of Primadonna taking pictures of ourselves, while Anne was taking pictures. Priorities, priorities! 

Was also such a treat to bump into makeup maven Robbie Pinera and hairstylist Raymond Santiago. Back when I was styling for Preview I used to see them at shoots like ALL THE TIME, but this was a welcome little catch-up! So nice to see that everyone's still as sweet as always! 

Naturally, before I left I had to stalk the Primadonna shoesies on the shoot. Some had yet to drop in stores, so I had time to plan my hoarding trip! 

To keep updated on all things Primadonna, like their Facebook page or follow @primadonnaph on Instagram! 

MARIANE'S MUSES: Max Collins

She's a breath of fresh air with a classical beauty and refined elegance that allows her to portray mahinhin roles with such impact. Exuding serenity and confidence that belies her young age, she's any director or fashion designer's dream. Which is why when her stylists Happy Lopez and Donna Cuna-Pita asked if I could dress her, my answer was a resounding YES! 

For Max, we chose ensembles that reflected feminine glamour and modern flair. It was something that suited her personal style and also her role as Esperanza in the soap Innamorata last year. Needless to say, we really went to town with it! 

Of course, one of my faves is when she wore my peony print trumpet dress to the Cream Silk at 30 event. Red carpets have become quite understated of late, but naturally still equally dramatic. I do think that modern glamour is about restraint, it's about the woman wearing the dress, and not the other way around. And in the case of Max, she was such a spring beauty in this gown! 

FROM THE INSTAGRAM OF @MAXCOLLINSOFFICIAL

FROM THE INSTAGRAM OF @THEPAOLOLUCIANO

Peonies are one of my fave flowers, and I think the vibrant blooms on ivory, rendered in a very classic silhouette exude a fun, uptown vibe. And speaking of uptown, Donna Cuna-Pita posted this photo of Max vis-a-vis Emmy Rossum at the Met Gala last year, remarking at how the two gowns had the same vibe. And guess who liked it?! @HouseofHerrera, that's who! Nothing gets a fangirl going more than social media affirmation from your fashion heroes. Incidentally, Carolina Herrera was the commencement speaker when I graduated from FIT, so this moment to me is pure serendipity! 

And as they say, why mess with a good thing, right? Max looked amazing in florals, and we loved how bright and happy it made her look! She's got that old Hollywood beauty that looks amazing in these feminine numbers. 

And what star post would be complete without a bit of shine! Loving this mermaid-esque look on Max Collins for Sunday All Stars. The little sheer cutout makes this not just your ordinary silver dress. 

Looking forward to more Max Collins moments come 2015 of course! 

MARIANE'S MUSES: Teen Queens

Sometimes you're just born with it, as is the case with these gorgeous young stars who are making waves and breaking hearts even before turning 18! I love dressing up these girls, they wear my ensembles with such joie de vivre! So whenever their stylist Perry Tabora hits me up for outfits, I get to work ASAP --- pun intended!

This is one of my fave outfits on Liza Soberano, as it's such a clever mix of sweet and sexy. The Forevermore star wears my signature Willow skirt with a bespoke crop top. She's showing just the right amount of skin with those cutouts, yet tempering it with the full tea-length skirt. A lot of people mistake it as a dress, which I think means the outfit goes well together.

And if you're a fan of Liza, like most of us are, I'm sure you'll love these outfits as well. She transforms from a vintage darling in my peony print dress, into a stunning fashionista as she dons my  tropical print mullet skirt. 

Not to be outdone, Janella Salvador of Please Be Careful With My Heart Fame is all sugar and spice in our floral bow dress. With her hair up like that, she reminds me of another teen stunner, Ariana Grande! 

And finally, we have Michelle Vito! She wore this periwinkle blue faille dress with bust drape and silver belt detail for Star Magic's Anniversary Fashion Show on ASAP designed by moi! 

We hope we satisfied your sweet tooth with these lovely fashions. And looking forward to more girly cuteness in the coming months!