Barbie Forteza arrives at the GMA Ball 2024 in a pristine white ball gown fit for her title, designed by Mak Tumang and styled by Janra Raroque
The GMA Ball 2024 is all about pomp, where A-listers go to parade their most unabashedly fashion-forward ensembles. For Primetime Princess Barbie Forteza, the actress delivered a complete fashion fantasy in an elegant ball gown by renowned fashion designer Mak Tumang. In an exclusive interview, Barbie’s stylist, Janra Raroque, talks to MEGA about how she stepped out as a real-life modern princess at the ball.
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A Timeless Tale of a Princess
Under Janra’s purview and Mak Tumang’s crafting prowess, Barbie Forteza has finally embraced her crown and title. She dipped into the fashion archives for the GMA Ball 2024, wearing a show-stopping ball gown “fit for our Primetime Princess.”
“We time-traveled from a past fashion era—as we usually do in the projects we’ve worked on (Maria Clara at Ibarra and Pulang Araw, and harked back to the 1940s for Barbie’s dress,” Janra tells MEGA Entertainment. “The color and silhouette are inspired by the ‘New Look’ of 1947, which celebrates the newfound peace after the war.”
In the wake of World War II, Christian Dior’s seminal 1947 collection set the course for post-war fashion; a return to a decorative femininity. The “New Look,” is most recognized for its curvy shapes and lines, and the grandeur and freedom of the full, flowing skirts with petticoats. For Barbie, the modernized ball gown silhouette decorated with swathes of flowers gave the actress her rightful opulence and regality. “The voluminous skirt is a canvas for an enchanting design of cherry blossom branches,” Janra continues. “The Sakura branches, embroidered with fine detail, wind their way across the fabric to create an ethereal effect. Interspersed among the Sakura twigs are Sampaguita flowers in pristine white offer a subtle fragrance to the imagination.”
Barbie proves she’s in full bloom as GMA’s Primetime Princess. Her look includes custom shoes intricately embellished with Sampaguita details to match the dress by fashion shoe designer Doreen Odvina. Completing her red carpet ensemble are jewelry from Love Rocks and a dragonfly-designed minaudère from Neil Felipp.
A Visionary in White
Janra also reveals to MEGA that it was the actress herself who thought of the direction for her look: “She [Barbie] sent me this concept she wanted to go for as early as February; she wanted to look regal and majestic. I also wanted to embrace her title as Primetime Princess, so I immediately reached out to Mak Tumang, who is known for creating beautiful, ethereal, and dream-like pieces. We’re very fortunate he said yes to us.”
Makeup artist Toni Aviles and hair stylist Fatima Mercado added their Midas touches to the ensemble, completing the actress’s look with a soft yet enchanting finishing glam.
When asked the secret for a unique and memorable red carpet look, especially for the Primetime Princess, Janra answered, “It’s for your muse to fully embrace her essence. We made sure that Barbie is wearing the dress—not the other way around. I feel like our collaboration with Mak Tumang fully captures Barbie’s essence—that is why she is once again able to shine at this year’s GMA gala.”
Barbie Forteza in custom MAK TUMANG. Jewelry by LOVE ROCKS. Custom heels by DOREEN ODVINA. Miniaudère by NEIL FELIPP. Makeup by TONI AVILES. Hair by FATIMA MERCADO. Nails by POSH NAILS. Fashion Direction by JAN RA. Styling associates MIKA BORINAGA, KHAYLE LIMSON from #HouseofRa. Photographed by JHARWIN CASTAÑEDA, Photography studio PIONEERX STUDIOS. Fashion Film produced by MADWAVES.
Special thanks to DOOKIE DUCAY, SPARKLE GMA ARTIST CENTER, JAN NAVARRO, DIANA EVANGELISTA
