Celebrated Filipino designer Francis Libiran will open the sixth edition of Inspired Beginnings, Conrad Manila’s signature bridal fair, with a solo couture show titled “Devoción” — a bold tribute to commitment, creativity, and the modern Filipino wedding.
Celebrated Filipino designer Francis Libiran. PHOTOS FROM CONRAD MANILA
Taking place on June 28 at the Forbes Ballroom, Devoción sets the tone for the two-day celebration of wedding artistry and elegance, bringing together some of the country’s most sought-after designers and event professionals.
“The show is entitled Devoción, which means devotion. It’s commitment, love for weddings. So that’s my inspiration behind my collection for this one. We have 24 gowns and six for men,” Libiran said in an interview.
(From left) Conrad Manila Commercial Director Joanne Gomez, CEO Getting Married Wedding Coordinators & Event Planners Kutchie Zaldarriaga, featured designers Ehrran Montoya, Nat Manilag, Ryan Ablaza Uson, Manny Halasan and Vee Tan, Conrad Manila Head of Socials and Weddings Fonzy Mendoza and Conrad Manila General Manager Fabio Berto
Libiran’s latest bridal collection pushes beyond traditional boundaries, introducing softer, more diverse color palettes and modern silhouettes.
“I wanted to design something or introduce to the market something different in terms of color. I’ll be coming up with pale colors like pale pink, nudes, not necessarily all in white. The reason why I think it suits Filipina brides is because of the morena color, we try to avoid pure white. I wanted to introduce soft tones for this one,” he continued.
(From left) Gomez, Zaldarriaga, featured stylists Tiger Lim, Dave Sandoval, FJ Sionson, Mendoza and Berto
“While white is the standard, Filipinas are getting more exciting and adventurous because they wanted more personalized. I get lots of brides who want different form that will show off their personality,” Libiran added.
The same design philosophy carries into his menswear line.
He noted, “You won’t see any black tuxedos. It’s more about very neutral tones. We made it not like the usual tuxedo.”
“Nowadays it’s not really the trends, it’s more of like they want to show off their personality in their weddings. So it’s really more personalized when it comes to designing so I enjoy my one on one interaction with my brides and grooms getting to know them and executing the designs that they want,” he explained.
Held across the hotel’s Forbes and Taft Ballrooms from June 28 to 29, this year’s showcase marks the third collaboration with Getting Married Wedding Coordinators and Event Planners by Kutchie Zaldarriaga, ensuring a meticulously curated experience for couples planning their dream wedding.
“At Conrad Manila, we believe that weddings are more than just events, they are deeply personal and meaningful milestone celebrations that mark the beginning of a couple’s married journey. With Inspired Beginnings, we continue our tradition of curating only the finest for couples who seek an inspiring and memorable experience for the most important day of their lives,” said Fabio Berto, general manager of Conrad Manila.
Meanwhile, other highlights for Inspired Beginnings include:
Exclusive designer trunk show. Couples are invited to register for the trunk show to be held in the premier suites from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days. This exclusive showcase offers couples the opportunity to try on bridal gowns and groom suits designed by Libiran, guided by his expert team. Pre-registration is required at Inspiredbeginnings.conradmanila.ememoir-einvite.com
Grand finale fashion show. The second evening culminates in a multi-designer runway show led by Robby Carmona, spotlighting Rian Fernandez, Manny Halasan, Nat Manilag, Ehrran Montoya, Val Taguba, Vee Tan, and Ryan Ablaza Uson. Together, they present a compelling vision of contemporary bridal fashion. This showcase parades a breathtaking array of bridal masterpieces that redefine sophistication and modern elegance, reflecting each designer’s unique vision. The show will commence at 7 p.m. in the Forbes Ballroom.
Styling showcase: Art-inspired tablescapes. Adding grandeur to every detail, top-tier event stylists will showcase tablescapes inspired by the works of celebrated Filipino artists, transforming wedding aesthetics into masterpieces. Blooms Events by Allen & JP pays tribute to Arturo Luz, while Ginger Gaddi channels the intricate artistry of Olivia D’ Aboville. Randy Lazaro draws inspiration from National Artist Hernando Ocampo, and Drew Menor reflects the romantic hues of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.
Dave Sandoval brings the vibrant energy of Mauro Malang, while Tiger Lim interprets the contemporary elegance of Lizanne Uychaco. FJ Sionson embraces the surreal depth of Mark Justiniani, and Kathy Sy-King highlights the sculptural refinement of Impy Pilapil. Through these artistic inspirations, Inspired Beginnings 2025 honors Filipino creativity, ensuring every wedding setting is a fusion of beauty, culture, and vision.
Wedding expo and exhibitor consultations. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at the Taft Ballroom, attendees can meet leading coordinators, jewellers, makeup artists, and photo and video specialists, with tailored offerings and on-site consultations available. A full list of exhibitors is included in the event appendix.
The event officially opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on 28 June at the hotel’s 3L Atrium, led by Kutchie Zaldarriaga, Conrad Manila GM Fabio Berto, Commercial Director Joanne Gomez, and participating creatives.
“Every year, Inspired Beginnings is crafted with love and passion with an ultimate goal of making wedding dreams come true. This 2025, we are proud to elevate the whole bridal experience, made possible by our beautiful collaboration with leading designers, stylists, and planners in the country,” Juan Alfonso Mendoza, Conrad Manila’s head of socials and weddings, shared.
Couples can visit Conrad Manila’s booth during the fair to explore exclusive wedding packages and offers. With its thoughtfully curated programming, Inspired Beginnings 2025 continues to set the benchmark for luxury weddings in the Philippines.
