Zandra Lim has been in the business of designing bridal gowns for the past 15 years. She is a testament to how pursuing one’s passions, no matter how different they are from where you thought your path would take you, can actually be something you will end up doing.
Lim is a BS Pharmacy graduate from the University of Santo Tomas. She loved being a pharmacist, but her love for fashion and design couldn’t be denied. Her atelier Zandra Lim Designs was established in 2003 and since then, Lim has been considered one of the country’s top designers for bridal gowns.
Lim studied at the Istituto di Moda Burgo in Milan, Italy, where she took Istilista di Abiti di Sposa (Fashion Design, specializing in Wedding Dress). She also studied Textile Effects at the University of the Arts, London-Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design.
For her anniversary event, Lim wanted to hold a fashion show and have a silent auction of the pieces worn by the models. “Crystal Bridal Fair,” as the show-cum-auction was dubbed, was held on September 15 and 16 at Discovery Primea.
The event gathered over 40 of the top wedding suppliers in the Philippines, including photographers, makeup artists, giveaway suppliers and many others.
“The initial plan was a fashion show and a silent auction of the pieces worn by the models.
But as Discovery Primea Events Manager Jayjay Hega and I were conceptualizing it, Crystal just got bigger,” said Lim.
The suppliers donated part of their sales to charity, and proceeds of ticket sales to the fashion show and the auction would also go to Lim’s chosen charity, the cancer patients in social service of the Cancer Institute at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City. Lim’s husband, Dr. Mars Imasa, is an oncologist and one of his frustrations is when cancer patients terminate their treatments due to financial constraints. Lim has been helping cancer patients in funding their treatments well before Crystal Bridal Fair.
“The 15th anniversary of my presence in the wedding industry was a good opportunity to push a cause bigger than what we’ve been doing,” said Lim.
That wasn’t all. The audience also saw a video of Vinagre, Tigaon, in Camarines Sur, where Lim commissions the women of Vinagre to do the embroidery and beadwork for her gowns to supplement the incomes of families who rely mostly on farming.
For her anniversary gala, Lim showed day suits for boys and men, tuxedos and flower girl gowns. There were bridesmaids dresses and gowns that can be worn for occasions other than weddings. All gowns showed Lim’s trademark elegant look. Lim also showcased a new trend—matching mother and daughter gowns.
Another unique aspect of the Crystal Bridal Fair fashion show was that Lim didn’t go for professional models to walk down the ramp. Lim tapped some of her clients, cancer survivors and social-media influencers like blogger Nikki Tiu and transwoman Toni Aviles to wear her beautiful creations.
“I wanted the audience to see the clothes worn by people who aren’t model thin so they could visualize how it would look on them and the clothes would be less intimidating,” said Lim.
Crystal Bridal Fair was staged in partnership with Niceprint, Amantefleurs, Rhed Sarmiento Events and Discovery Primea, and was sponsored by Metrotech Projectors, LST Lights & Sounds and Pikulyar Photo.
For more information about Zandra Lim, visit www.zandralimdesigns.com.