Wedding Supplier
Edward Teng Couture: Designed for Royalty
by Jonathan Dionisio
March - April 2009
To design clothes for celebrities
is a huge challenge for any designer or couturier. One has
to have extensive experience and knowledge about fashion,
especially trends. Moreover, a designer has to know what type
of clothing will complement the celebrity’s body and
personality. And last, a couturier has to understand that
other people who idolize this celebrity will copy or will
want to wear that outfit, especially if it is a wedding gown.
Bridal couturier Edward TengBridal couturier Edward
Teng is no stranger to this, having designed clothes for the
Royal Family of Saudi Arabia and now, local celebrities.
In 1986, after four years
of college, one year of study of Fashion Design and Dressmaking
at the Slims Fashion and Arts School and years of work as
an assistant designer to his mother, someone saw his work
and gave him the chance to travel to Saudi Arabia and design
for the Royal Family. He did not hesitate hoping that he would
learn more about his chosen career.
But all was not fun for
Mr. Teng. His creativity and skills were tested to the limit
when he started designing for the Royal Family. Unlike his
clients in the Philippines, he cannot make the measurement
of the clothing directly on the family; someone else has to
do it for him. He cannot see how his work looks like once
fitted as custom dictates that only a handful of people can
go near the Royal Family. Thus, he worked like a blind man
painting on a canvas. Although ‘blind’, his works
received praises from the Royal Family. His years of work
in the foreign land nurtured his talent and also taught him
the unique technique of Arabian embroidery and beadwork.
When he came back to the
Philippines after years of service to the Royal Family, he
went back to the shop of his first mentor – his mother.
He expanded the shop and created his own line of clothing
– Edward Teng Couture.
Gown by Edward Teng
Photo courtesy
of MOD MagazineSince then, working with
celebrities has become all in a day’s work for Mr. Teng.
He has created wedding gowns and other formal outfits for
local celebrities like Jodi Sta. Maria – Lacson, Sarah
Geronimo, Kim Chui, Bea Alonzo, Kristine Hermosa, Roxanne
Guinoo, Marissa Sanchez, Dina Bonnevie, Ana Capri, Lani Mercado,
Jennelyn Mercado, and more. He has also tailored formal wears
for Hero Angeles and Aga Mulach.
The gowns used for television
shows do not go back to their respective boxes to be forgotten.
Most of them were sold immediately. Mr. Teng shares that a
gown worn by Dina Bonnevie in one of ABS-CBN’s recently
concluded afternoon drama show, “Sineserye Presents:
Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos”, was bought two days after the
episode was aired.
Mr, Teng also used the experience
he gained in Saudi Arabia to serve OFWs and foreign clientele.
With the use of internet technology combined with good customer
service, Mr. Teng is able to analyze his clients’ body
structure, assist them in proper measurement, and present
designs that complement their body and personality.
Experience, creativity,
and passion for design are the main components of his works.
With this, Edward Teng gets to shares to his clientele how
it feels like to be a celebrity, even a royalty.
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