mara chua

Sampling

February 19, 2013 § Leave a Comment

Sampling

Making samples for my (future) diffusion high street-ish line called MCM. I’m very excited! Hopefully I finish the samples and the lookbook in 2.5 weeks time.

Concept to Reality: Rock Star Bride

February 18, 2013 § Leave a Comment

Of course I was more than happy to do this gown.
A. Rachel is one of my HS friends. We go a long way back.
B. It’s rockstar. I can go batshit crazy!

The original idea was to do a version of my Ascension series with the tulle but using feathers for the bodice instead of lace.
I wasn’t quite convinced it was THE dress.
I don’t remember how I pulled shredded chiffon out of the bag but it’s one of the first fabric manipulation techniques I learned…. told Rachel I’m changing the design. Thankfully, she completely trusts me.
The process was really organic. The top part was something I only imagined late December some 1.5 months prior to her wedding. It’s something new to me. It was a risk. Again, thankfully, it worked. No. It was magic.

Seeing Rachel walk down the aisle made me teary eyed. For a number of reasons.I never get to see my brides walk down the aisle. Seeing someone wearing and loving something we made and living for that moment was just wow. And then, there’s this thing back in our hs days when my friends joke about me making their wedding gowns someday and then it finally happens is just so surreal I can’t help but be emotional.

Thank you and congrats to the newlyweds Bello Emmanuel Arceo Lanto and Rachel Edillo. Good luck!

For inquiries please contact me through : https://www.facebook.com/marachuamanila or chua.mara@gmail.com

Photo credit to Ms.Camille Miana for the last photo

Reluctant Couturier

February 18, 2013 § 1 Comment

Been a while. Tons of things happened. I’m thinking of changing the focus my blog into something closer to my heart… something more craft oriented with almost daily updates of the going ons on the factory floor etc etc

EDSA Billboard. Jennylyn Mercado. Mara Chua Lace Jumpsuit.

September 10, 2012 § Leave a Comment

Another FIRST.

EDSA Billboard!!! For non-Filipino readers, EDSA is the equivalent of NYC’s 5th Ave/Broadway junction. A billboard along EDSA is pretty huge.

The shoot is for her HOT TV Publicity Materials.

Interested parties may contact me at:

chua.mara@gmail.com//09155158904
https://www.facebook.com/marachuamanila

Full album here:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.349389961770563.77361.310285139014379&type=3

About the dress:

Jumpsuit with hand applied lace.

Php 8000

Press: F Magazine September 2012 (Cambodia)

September 9, 2012 § Leave a Comment

And we’re going placesss!!!

Got some of my stuff published in an editorial.in Cambodia!!!

My FIRST INTERNATIONAL ed.

Featured are my more outlandish pieces that really is more Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (my real baby) vs the slightly edgy Mara Chua Manila.

Special thanks to Mike Magallanes for making this happen.

Photography: Joseph Pascual

Styling: Mike Magallanes

Grooming: CJ Capulong Cuison

Model: Bruce Venida

Interested parties may contact me at:

chua.mara@gmail.com//09155158904
https://www.facebook.com/marachuamanila

Press: MEGA Magazine July 2012. Designer Profile

September 6, 2012 § Leave a Comment

MY NAME! ON THE COVER!

and my first spread as a model!!! nyahahaha

Forever grateful to Ms. Angela Alarcon for this one. (She’s my fairy godmother). Wish her all the best in Cali.

(Airbrushed) ME!!!

Photos scanned from the actual mag.

Photography: Seven Barretto

Creative Direction: Eldz Mejia

Styling: Paris Roxas

Hair and Make up: David Medina and Rochelle Lacuna

Models: Polina and Liza (Elite Manila)

Interested parties may contact me at:

chua.mara@gmail.com//09155158904
https://www.facebook.com/marachuamanila

Full album here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.419023938140498.89498.310285139014379&type=3

Star Magic Ball 2012. Beauty Gonzales in Mara Chua

September 3, 2012 § 1 Comment

Because I’m on a ROLL.

Dressing up 2 girls for my first year in Star Magic Ball! I’m beyond pleased. It’s something I didn’t expect I can achieve this year.

Not everyone knows this but Beauty Gonzales and I are related. She’s technically my second cousin but were tight enough that we consider ourselves as first cousins. It’s no question that I’m doing her dress for the ball.

For her gown. I did a black special edition version of my Mayflower collection which are in red. It’s a black velvet cutout dress with armorial sequin sleeves.