Afternoon tea, flouncing dresses, and feminine softness — that is the aesthetic designer Debbie Co channeled for her Resort 2026 collection, Jardin du Soleil, currently featured in a pop-up at Power Plant Mall in Rockwell Center, Makati, one of Metro Manila's premier retail destinations, running through September.

Ms. Co unveiled the collection on July 27 at Manila House with a showcase of muses, including actresses, influencers, and models she has worked with over the years: Cheska and Kendra Kramer, Kris Bernal, Coleen Garcia, Sam Pinto, and Kelly Misa.

After 21 years in the fashion industry, Ms. Co said she tapped into her inner girl for this collection. The result is a lineup of hyperfeminine ballgown skirts, golden palms splashed across skirts, polka dots, and floral motifs. Standout pieces include a heavily beaded tan dress, a blue and gold gown with a bustier bodice, a little sheath cocktail dress covered in pearl drops, and a frou-frou ruffled pink skirt paired with a top resembling a square bib tied with a bow at the back.

Ms. Co credited her time in London studying at Central Saint Martins — whose alumni include Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen — as the collection's inspiration. "It's very close to my heart as it brings together inspiration from my time studying in Central Saint Martins in London, while reflecting the joy and spirit of the modern Filipina," she said.

Ready-to-Wear Versus Made-to-Order

While Jardin du Soleil is a ready-to-wear (RTW) collection, Ms. Co is best known for her made-to-order bridal wear. She noted a distinct difference in discipline between the two categories.

Describing the RTW process, she said: "You actually have the freedom to do whatever you want. It's based on your thoughts, and what silhouettes you want to have. But of course, you kind of stay true to your brand. It's always important to flatter the woman's body."

Made-to-order work, by contrast, involves deeper collaboration. "You have to consider a lot of factors from the client. It's sort of a collaboration between me and the client. I have to consider what she's comfortable with," she explained.

The pop-up retail format also serves as a growth strategy, reflecting a broader trend among Filipino designers who have increasingly embraced mall-based pop-ups and direct-to-consumer formats to reach wider audiences beyond traditional ateliers. "We actually meet more clients from the malls. Obviously, the exposure there is different," Ms. Co said.

How Brides Have Changed

With more than two decades in the industry, Ms. Co has watched generations of clients evolve. "We made their prom dresses, and now they're having their bridal gowns made," she said. "We're truly grateful to be part of women's celebrations, and growing with generations of clients."

Asked how today's brides differ from those she dressed years ago, she said: "It's so different now. I think the brides now are more open, compared to before. Most of the brides before were very traditional. They kind of looked the same."

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she noted, shifted attitudes in bridal wear — a change that has persisted years after lockdowns were lifted, whether due to smaller celebrations or a more carefree approach shaped by uncertain times. "It didn't have to be that certain look, with the lace, all covered up," she said of wedding dresses today. "I feel like they're able to express their identity more."

The Jardin du Soleil Resort 2026 collection is now available at the Atelier Debbie Co at Proscenium and at the Atelier Debbie Co Pop-up at Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati, which will run until September.

— Joseph L. Garcia