Here comes the tide: Furne Amato’s brides dazzle at Crimson Mactan

Furne Amato’s new bridal-resort collection is an artful fusion of art, romance, and the allure of the sea.

Perhaps it’s the majestic power of the waves, or the sea’s ability to sustain a whole different world underwater. Perhaps it is also in how its vast horizon can serve as the picture-postcard backdrop to any occasion, big or small.

Regardless of the reason, the sea holds wonders and mysteries that never fail to captivate. This is what globally renowned Filipino designer Furne One Amato brought to life in his new bridal-resort collection, which he showcased at Crimson Resort & Spa in Mactan, Cebu last May 8.

Titled “Take Me to the Sea,” Amato’s latest capsule is a collaboration with Crimson Mactan and served as the highlight of the resort’s “Weddings by Crimson” program that features “a thoughtfully crafted selection of wedding packages” for soon-to-be-married couples.

With his “Take Me to the Sea” collection, the Cebuano designer invites couples to a world where art and the ocean entwine. Drawing inspiration from the allure of the seas surrounding Cebu island, Amato creates a narrative where every gown, dress, maillot, and robe lives and radiates with the bride and groom.

Everything at the show reflects the allure of high fashion and nature. It transformed the Coral Ballroom of Crimson Mactan into a coastal dreamscape inspired by the Hamptons. Models walked on a runway made of powdery white sands from the resort’s beachfront. They strolled between tall ornamental grass that added to the sensory and emotional experience of unwinding by the sea.

The collection featured 64 breathtaking pieces that highlighted Amato’s signature style, defined by lavishness, elegance, and captivating beauty. The designer used an all-white palette, reflecting the sophistication and the versatility of the sea. It redefines the modern bride and groom, with looks that Amato describes as “confident, expressive, and unbound by convention.”

For the opening look, the designer turned a high-waist bikini into high fashion by decking it out with pearls draped in different ways. This is paired with a plain cathedral wedding veil that moved with the model’s strides. What followed is a set of ultra-modern short dresses that embrace elaborate silhouettes, unconventional necklines, and nontraditional mixes of fabrics, beads, and crystals.

Overlays, cinched waists, and big shoulders made a big statement on the runway. Texture is likewise key to the collection as seen in the swimwear, short dresses, trousers, polos, and gowns constructed from a mix of “lace, crystal mesh, crochet, macrame, tulle, and linen,” according to Amato. “It’s all about texture all in one,” he told The POST and other members of the press who attended the event.

What’s also unique about this collection is Amato’s depiction of the groom as someone who’s “feminine and soft,” contrary to established customs. Men sashayed down the runway only in their underpants and cover-ups made of sheer lace or crochet fabric. Some evoked that resort vibe with flowers in their hair, while others reimagined the modern man with opulent headdresses and elongated clutches.

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Voluminous gowns came with dramatic trains and featured an artful play of contrast: heavy textures versus sheer lightness, while minimalist cuts were offset by intricate hand embroidery. This, combined with the other stunning pieces in the collection, turned “Take Me to the Sea” into a unique coastal-inspired story that reaffirms both Amato and Crimson Mactan’s status as visionaries in fashion and hospitality.

Check out the rest of the show highlights below.