DUBAI: Known for his talent in creating high quality gowns and doing it with impeccable attention to details, Ezra Santos, one of Dubai’s most esteemed couturiers has indeed put a pride in every Filipinos in the world of fashion. Ezra, like any masters in their field, knew exactly what he had wanted to be when he grows up. “I have always had an eye for fashion,” he says.
He shared that his ambition took off when he was in grade school, recalling how fond he was watching black and white movies of the late 1940s and 50s; and how the films influenced him to create something from the beautiful stories through lavish dresses and gowns. Ezra won big at the second edition of the annual TFT Awards held August 20 this year.
He took home two major citations including the most coveted TFT Rizal Award 2016. “I’m so blessed, thankful and honored to have received the Fashion Designer of the Year award, but I was not expecting the TFT Rizal Award. I was so surprised! Amazing glory to God,” he said. Ezra opened his own atelier, Ezra Couture, in 2004. “Of course, these things didn’t come easy for me.
I had to work and study hard. I think the biggest challenge for me is being an Asian in a highly competitive fashion industry dominated by Caucasians and Arabs,” he said. Ezra Couture is known for its feminine and elegant designs. Bridal gown starts at Dh 50,000.
The party dress starts at AED 15,000. Ezra said it is his desire to dress up Filipinas during their biggest day, so he is offering a “Kabayan rate.” “It’s like my way of giving back to the Filipino community. The process is I will be asking them what their budget is and we will try our best to work around that and produce something beautiful,” he says.
Photo grab from Ezra Santo’s Facebook account
