Pia Gladys Perey on dressing today's women as she celebrates 15 years of fashion and prepares for New York Bridal Fashion Week

Pia Gladys Perey was always dedicated to creating gowns for all shapes of women, long before the outcry for lack of inclusivity in the realm of fashion.

Since Perey's label debut in 2007 at IMG’s Mercedes-Benz Australian Fashion Week, the Filipina designer has designed gowns for celebrities Angelina Jolie, Gabrielle Union, Demi Lovato, and HRH Princess Theodora of Greece and Denmark. The Pia Gladys Perey (PGP) gowns have also been worn to prestigious award shows like the Golden Globes, the Grammys, the Emmys, the American Music Awards, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Critics’ Choice Awards.

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Filipina Los-Angeles-based fashion designer, Pia Gladys Perey (Photo: Pia Gladys Perey)
Above Filipina Los-Angeles-based fashion designer, Pia Gladys Perey (Photo: Pia Gladys Perey)

And yet, Perey prefers to dress more women outside of Hollywood. 

"To me, there is nothing more rewarding than knowing that my dresses are worn and appreciated by real women," says the Los Angeles-based designer. "Any designer can create pieces for perfect-looking models with the best physique but it takes true dedication to the true female form to be able to design and empower every woman."

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The new collection, though designed with the signature Pia Gladys Perey classic silhouette and romantic style, has hints of modern details. This season, Perey added a visible boning corset and slanted slits that emphasise the female body's best features.

"The new collection is an ode to Filipino craftsmanship. I have always been in awe of how talented Filipinos are and I want to celebrate that on my brand's 15th year anniversary. I can proudly say that all of my designs are made in the Philippines and despite my line being pret-a-porter, each garment is still hand-draped and made by the same person from start to finish. This is our way of promoting Filipino ingenuity and this is proudly stated in our swing tag," shares Perey.

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With pride, the designer reveals that she drew inspiration from her employees for this season's creations.

"During the pandemic, with the bridal industry almost completely shut, we worked together to make sure that our factory and the brand will still continue to thrive. Although sales were not the same as the regular seasons, we promoted and pushed the brand because we were the only evening and bridesmaid label that can deliver since most labels manufacture through other factories in China," she recalls. "When the pandemic is over, I just have to salute and honour them for standing with me and my brand. I have not seen so much resilience and I remain in awe of their grace."  

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In celebration of the designer's 15 lovely years in the fashion industry, the label held an intimate fashion preview at Amorita Resort in Bohol, Philippines.

"Amorita is like a second home to me. It has always been my go-to place if I needed a break. I have spent so many of my vacations there," reveals the designer when asked why she decided to launch the gowns at the luxury resort. "Like PGP, Amorita takes pride in knowing what their clients want and need even before they say it.  Both our brands are also celebrating our 15th year together and we have been partners for a decade. The staff and the executives are like extended family and I am sure that their clients will agree with me."

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In collaboration with Cebu Pacific Air and Amorita Resort, media guests were able to admire the collection firsthand before the gowns made it to the New York Bridal Fashion Show runway.

From a pop of pink to classic browns, the dresses are made to fit all women regardless of colour, shape, and size.

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"I think fashion is a reflection of the current world and the society we live in. I would like to think that we as human beings became more tolerant and accepting of reality and learned more to respect different views," adds the designer. "So, in retrospect, I think this is also reflected in fashion. Based on experience from selling in over 5 countries and 50 stores, yes, we are all different from each other but in the end, women have the same priorities which are comfort, style, and versatility. This tells me that although there are differences in culture, race, size, etc, we all want the same things—whether in life or fashion. "

The SS2023 collection will be digitally launched through CFDA Runway 360, the official online home of fashion week, and through a showing on October 12 to 13.

Credits

Images  

Courtesy of Pia Gladys Perey