There’s something truly magical about wearing a custom wedding gown—an experience that resonates not only with the bride herself but also leaves a lasting impression on everyone who sees her. This is the essence we feel whenever we see a ZW Bride piece.

Inspired by the golden age of fashion and icons like Monique Lhuillier and Carolina Herrera, Zia Wycoco, a Filipino bridal designer, crafts gowns that celebrate femininity while infusing a modern, whimsical touch of elegance. Her designs range from striking column dresses and structured gowns with draped corsets, all of which are meticulously crafted stitch by stitch to enhance the female form. Wycoco defies traditional bridal conventions, creating pieces that are both timeless and innovative.

Wycoco’s love for fashion traces back to childhood trips with her grandmother to local seamstresses and fabric shops. During an era before fast fashion took hold, it was common in the Philippines to purchase affordable fabric and have custom designs tailored to individual preferences. For her, those childhood experiences ignited a passion that would shape her life’s work—creating gowns that tell a story and honor the bride’s personality.

Her eponymous label, ZW Bride, stands out not only for its beautiful aesthetic but also for her heartfelt client-centered approach. Every gown is a reflection of the bride’s unique personality and style, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.

The House Magazine had the pleasure of chatting with Wycoco about her journey, what makes custom gowns so special, and her pearls of wisdom for future brides. As she says, “A wedding gown should be as unique as the bride, capturing her essence and radiance on one of her most memorable days.”

Tell us about your journey as a designer and how everything has changed since you started?

My journey started from a place of resourcefulness and heart, I learned to create even when space, budget and support was tight. But I’ve always been driven by both creativity and connection, making each piece deeply personal.

A big shift from when I started is my mindset. It has moved from “Can I do this” to “I am this”. It made me powerful and having full ownership of what I put to the table – which I think is a great improvement. What I’m working on now is setting boundaries. Recently I realized that I don’t lose myself as much anymore (lol). I feel things deeply, yes because my designs are me but now I process them with more perspective and strategy. Wow saying this actually makes me so proud of myself haha

As a bridal designer, what are some helpful anecdotes you can share about being a first-time bride?

Comfortability over aesthetic. Always! When I meet a bride, I subtly interview them so I get to know them deeply. When I understand the bride’s personality, I get to create something that is uniquely hers. This is where comfortability comes in. I like the idea of my bride forgetting she’s wearing a gown. Like she just feels herself, only more radiant.

What are some of the misconceptions people think about when it comes to having a gown custom-made, and what are the perks of having one made?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about having a custom-gown is that options are unlimited and every trend you see can be mixed. But good design is always about balance and harmony. The best perk of having a custom- made is that every piece is uniquely yours. It is very personal.

What’s a trademark of a ZW Bride, and what makes your brand unique to modern brides from around the world?

Could be the “fun-ness” of every piece I make. May it be a surprise bow at the back, tassels for movement, anything can go.

What/ who inspires you the most as a designer? Do you believe in the statement that inspiration can be found everywhere?

Who inspires me? Honestly, it’s the person I’m making the gown for.  I like getting to know them further before designing. I personally think that Inspiration can’t be found everywhere, I believe it is where you’re at peace.

What are some of the challenges you have encountered when you first started?

Could be how I stay true to my core. I still am finding my “aesthetic” as a designer, you don’t get that right away. However with the amount of things you’ll see online, it’s easy to divert.

Tell me more about the creative process that you have whenever you’re working with a client.

Get to know them 100%, Concept development and collaboration – this is where our initial visions come to play, we collaborate on a thought and I provide swatches that are suitable for the wedding When the piece is created, we test and make adjustments during fittings. This is where comfort and personal connection meet once again. 

How do you ensure brides get lasting value from their custom piece beyond just the wedding day? How do you help brides understand the actual cost-per-wear value of a custom piece?

I think they can get lasting value from their custom piece by thinking beyond just the wedding day. Like for example, trends come and go. But details like clean silhouettes, proportions and the right fabric choices keep the gown beautiful decades later. Investing in high-quality construction would stand the test of time for preservation and repurposing.

What trends are you seeing in the international bridal market that excite you, and how does your design aesthetic translate across different regional preferences in the US?

One trend that particularly excites me in the international bridal market is seeing more brides embrace wearing their bridal gowns beyond their wedding day. Brides today want to get more value from their investment instead of letting these beautiful pieces sit in a box for decades. This shift makes every gown’s story longer and more meaningful, which aligns perfectly with my design philosophy.

Since my work is entirely customized, each design brings a unique personal vision to life. I resonate with brides through my attentiveness to their individual stories and the emotional connections we build throughout the design process. This personalized approach ensures that every piece is truly one-of-a-kind.

My aesthetic centers around vintage femininity with a modern spirit—something that plays beautifully between nostalgia and what’s trendy today. I translate this across different walks of life by offering various expressions of this core aesthetic. My work always celebrates femininity, elegance, and simple statement pieces, but I shape these elements differently depending on who I’m designing for.

This approach allows me to connect with brides from diverse backgrounds and regional preferences across the US. No matter someone’s personal style or cultural background, they can find a piece of themselves reflected in my work. The vintage-feminine-with-modern-touch aesthetic serves as a versatile foundation that can be adapted while maintaining its essential character and emotional resonance.

Lastly, what do brides tell you about how wearing their custom gown made them feel on their wedding day?

ZW Brides gush over their gowns with me. Haha so that’s when I know I did my job right. But tbh, they make my job so easy. My brides are glowing, happy and always serving main character energy. I love them to bits.

What makes Zia’s approach to bridalwear special is how each gown transcends trends, because at the end of the day, it’s about the bride.  Her vision for wedding gowns that live beyond the wedding day is what makes each ZW Bride gown special. When her brides radiate “main character energy” and feel genuinely themselves in their custom gowns, it’s clear she has achieved something rare in luxury fashion: the perfect balance of comfort, personality, and lasting beauty.

For more information on ZW Bride follow them on Instagram @zwbride and to book an appointment go to www.ziawycoco.com/zwbride

Credits:

Written by Cyan Dacasin | @xmissperegrinex

Photography courtesy of ZW Bride