By Leony R. Garcia
Amarah Eliezer’s Gowns & Suits came to be after Melrose’s wedding. Friends and relatives were so enchanted by her wedding gown and the wedding entourage ensemble she had curated for her big day that they clamored to borrow them. This sparked a brilliant idea: why not rent them out and make a business of it? And the rest as they say is history.
With fashion running in her veins—herself having had experiences in beauty competitions and as a model in her teenage days – the former Melrose Saludo, now married to Rowen Canson, was destined to shine in this industry. Moreover, her dear uncle, a renowned gown-maker in Silay, who crafted her dresses since childhood, joined forces with her.
From a cramped room with her own gown and wedding entourage on display, Amarah is now housed in its showroom at AGB Building Door #2, Barangay Mambulac, Silay City, near Sunburst Bay Resort.
The shop displays a dazzling array of classy, in-style gowns and suits tailored for weddings, proms, debuts, and special occasions. At the time of our visit, the reigning Lin-ay of Silay and her runners-up, were fitting gowns for the upcoming Flores de Mayo parade. Melrose said the wide selection of gowns can be altered to fit any size for any occasion.
And here’s another magical offer from Amarah Eliezer’s Gowns & Suits — for as low as P9000 rental package for a full wedding entourage — to make every couple’s dream wedding come true!
“We make it a point to keep the prices affordable for the whole entourage. It is very heartwarming to see couples especially from the upland who want to experience a dream wedding. Seeing their smiles when they fit the gowns is priceless. At first, it may come awkward because it’s the first time in their whole life to wear gowns especially for the moms and suits or barong for the fathers. This scenario itself is magical and gives us inspiration to go on and serve our kababayans with quality apparel for special occasions,” Melrose explained.
Just over five years in the business, Melrose is already getting clients for made-to-order gowns and suits anywhere else in the Philippines and even abroad. “For clients abroad, it is very challenging but it’s all worth it. For one, there is a time difference so I meet my client virtually halfway — whichever time is convenient for them. Choosing the right specifications and textile also take longer than the usual time. Aside from the fabric specs, we have to present the design, bead works, and get the body measurements, for the bride and groom. The process could really be tiresome but once I get their approval, everything is paid off at once, Melrose narrated.
“The “judgement day” for us would be seeing the bride fit her gown at least 2 weeks before the wedding day. Seeing the bride in her lovely gown is a breathtaking sight for us as we also pray for minor alterations,” she stressed.
Aside from the bride, there are also challenges in meeting the entourage who are coming from other parts of the Philippines and abroad. Because of a very limited time, some of them come to fit a day or two before the wedding and Melrose and her team have to rush up the alterations before the wedding day.
But someone who loves and enjoys what she’s doing, this BS in Tourism Management graduate (2011) from the University of Perpetual Help System Molino, Melrose has mastered the art of facing challenges with positive disposition and determination. Thus, her flourishing business is now a byword in Silay and neighboring towns. Many of her customers do not travel to the city anymore for gown or apparel hunting.
Named after her eldest kid, Amarah Eleizer’s Gowns & Suits keeps abreast with the current trends and styles. “Amarah always comes up with something new. We bring the latest Manila and international fashion right here in our shop. We join Fashion expos, pageantries, corporate, LGU and school events. We also engage in social media exposures and out of town events as far as Pampanga and Laguna. We are aggressive in joining healthy competitions such as Mall Expos, Fashion shows etc. We are also visible as sponsors in different events especially in the pageantry in school, barangay levels and local events.
Melrose intends to maintain good and quality service and workmanship, affordability and beauty. “We maintain good relationships with our clients. We highlight their unforgettable wedding in our Page and other social media platforms. In return, we get very satisfactory and overwhelming feedback from our satisfied clients and get more clients from them through referrals and recommendations.
Her long-term plans in the business include further expansion of the shop to accommodate related services such as bridal makeup, beauty pampering, and personal care products.
“Fashion has been in my blood since I was a kid. My sister and I always had the trendy novelties from clothing, hair accessories, shoes bags. etc. We were into fashion shows for personal care products, clothing lines and gowns of known designers in Metro Manila. I dreamt of someday having my own business and Amarah Eleizer’s Gowns & Suits is a big fulfilment of my passion.”
For her collection, she would like to create more choices for Filipiniana, Terno Gowns, significant Filipino Coat Barongs, Kiddie gowns for birthday parties and Princesses gowns. “I experienced wearing Princess gowns myself so I would like the kids to experience their little Princesses and Prince’s fantasies and make their dreams come true, too!”
“With Amarah, we make your dream wedding come true! At Amarah, at home ka dito at balik-balikan mo ang magandang alaala sa buong buhay mo!” Melrose concluded.
Contact Amarah through Mobile No. 0917 877 7864, email: amarahsgownsandsuits@gmail.com, or visit its Facebook page: fb.com/amarahsgownsandsuits.
