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jessica louise balanban

October 2022

Jessica reached out to Jillian Joy in the middle of the pandemic, hoping to find a designer to create a Filipiniana bridal gown with a short turnaround time. We created a romantic, floor length gown featuring a sheer, 3D lace bodice and wrap style skirt with a slit which she wore for her reception, then again for a post-wedding shoot. After sharing this dress on social media, it became our top design that future clients pull inspiration from!

“I found it so difficult to find a designer that was somewhat local so that I wouldn't have to worry so much about the dress being made and shipped to me on time. Most of my searches led me to a designer in the Philippines until one day I was scrolling down my Filipiniana filled instagram feed when I came across Jillian's instagram post from her wedding. The dress was so chic and beautifully made and I was even more in awe when I found out that she made her own dress -- with detachable butterfly sleeves!! 2 dresses in 1?! I was so stoked to see that she resides in the same continent as me and that was all I needed to pull the trigger to email her ASAP.

From beginning to end, the process was smooth as could be. She was very communicative and organized. If there were any delays, she let me know. And most of all, even with the time difference and the distance, she made me feel as if I was right there with her choosing the fabrics and talking about the specifics of the dress. As indecisive as I was about what I envisioned my Filipiniana to look like, she drew me multiple sketches of all the ideas that we talked about and we were able to pick and choose what to go forward with from there. There were some delays in getting the fabric due to COVID but otherwise my first experience in creating a custom dress was perfect! I was afraid I was going to need to get my dress adjusted once it came in the mail but it fit like a glove. Jillian, thank you so much for a wonderful experience and for stunning dress. I even got to wear it to the Bridgerton experience so just so you know I'll be wearing it every chance I can possibly get ;)”