Jun Escario (CDN Photo/Junjie Mendoza)
Jun Escario used to visit his designer friends in Cebu’s then top fashion shop En Sepia.
It was a time when local fashion designers were emerging and Cebuanos started patronizing their own creative talents in the fashion industry, giving the Manila fashion industry a run for their money.
In one of his visits, his friends were caught up in a frenzy preparing for the shop’s gala in the next two months. To cope with the requirements of the show, Escario was prodded to design a collection for the event.
So he did and quite unexpectedly, his creations drew approval.
That accidental twist of fate changed the destiny of Jun Escario – Mario Eduaro Escario in real life.
From then, Escario trained and learned everything he needed to know about the business – enough to give him the opportunity to open his own shop Bacchus. After just a few years, Escario became one of the most well-known designers in Cebu, allowing his name to be a better branding option than Bacchus.
“We have different tastes in fashion, and I believe I have a very good eye for that [fashion],” he quips.
As his passion for the business grew, Escario took the big leap and decided to expand his business in Manila. True enough, he was one of the few chosen to go to Paris for a design competition. He brought home the Best Philippine Designer Award, conquered Manila, and as they say, the rest is history.
While he spends most of his time in Manila where he has a loyal and growing clientele, Escario also ensures that he comes to Cebu every month where he is also sought after.
He says that his shop at the Cebu City Marriott Hotel at the Cebu Business Park is where his clients and prospective clients can touch base with him. His shop opened last year.
It is in the Marriott Hotel shop where his exquisite bridal gowns including his Island Brides collection are available.
Escario, a renowned fashion designer who has done quite a number of shows in Manila, is also set to do the fashion show for the Cebu City Marriott Hotel’s Bridal Fair Finale on June 20.
Years of designing bridal gowns has given Escario the idea to do a special line for beach-themed weddings. Named Island Brides, this collection is affordable and is most appropriate for outdoor weddings because of the materials used.
“I don’t just want the bride to wear a beautiful gown, but I also want her to be comfortable in it,” he says.
According to Escario, “when the bride trusts you completely, you push yourself to make something very beautiful. After all, you don’t wear the designer’s creation, but you actually wear your personality.”
Escario is known for having a keen eye for choosing fabrics that make every creation distinctive, elegant and flattering to the female form.