THE ESSENCE OF A WOMAN
For the 2019 Red Charity Gala, EZRA SANTOS draws from the feminine and the familiar to breathe life into exquisite couture creations
Ezra Santos strikes one fierce pose after another at the Red Charity Gala cover shoot for Lifestyle Asia, ever so slightly shifting his powerful stance and intense gaze. Beside him,
Ara Dabao sits with poise and elegance—a striking image of a queen surveying her loyal subjects. Showcasing his mastery of exquisite intricacy, the Dubai-based designer dresses Ara in sheer opulence. She wears an ornate gown decked out with brilliant gems and gold embellishments, with a bejeweled belt separating the high-neck fitted bodice from the floor-length skirt.
I visit the fitting area after their shoot. There is a carnival of colors, a festival of fashion savants dressing up ethereal muses. Amid the beautiful chaos backstage— reminiscent of any major fashion event—a calm and collected Ezra takes a breather with his fellow designers. A remarkable transformation from fierce to serene, I thought, as I approach the sartorial maestro for our interview.
FASCINATION WITH FEMININITY
“I’ve been dreaming of becoming a designer ever since I was in Grade 3,” Ezra reminisces. Inspired by cartoon princesses, he fondly recalls sketching bouffant dresses on his notebook—a silhouette that would later feature in many of his collections. “My mother loves fashion dearly. She is also one of my foremost inspirations,” he adds. “As a young boy, I would watch in awe as she would dress up for parties and events.”
Ezra’s deep fascination and appreciation for the feminine allure informs his collection for the 2019 Red Charity Gala. He reinterprets the Arab woman’s current sensibilities into extravagant dresses, decked out in luxurious jewels, beadwork, and elaborate patterns—elements that, he says, Arab women love. He works with a dedicated team of designers and artisans to breathe life into these exquisite couture creations.
“I’ve been working in Dubai for the past 23 years. I’ve never done a collection about the Arab woman, so I thought that this gala would be the perfect opportunity to showcase that,” he shares. “It’s about time that I create something to pay homage to the country and culture that have nurtured me for more than two decades.”
Throughout his career as a designer, Ezra has witnessed the evolution of the Arab woman as she steps into a more modern world. “Definitely, they are more cosmopolitan. Armed with their inner strength and beauty, they travel frequently, are more adventurous with fashion, and are in tune with global ideas,” he observes. “However, I find it fascinating that they are still able to keep their culture and spirituality intact. This interaction between the traditional and contemporary is captivating for me.”
DEMONSTRATING SERVICE IN STYLE
Ezra’s current fashion sensibilities are the result of continuous evolution and education—things that aspiring fashion designers must keep in mind to succeed, he says. “It’s important to constantly learn new things, pay attention to trends, and, ultimately, keep a strong work ethic. While passion, talent, and style are crucial, hard work takes you even further,” he emphasizes.
True enough, Ezra’s 2019 Red Charity Gala collection is an elevation from his already-glamorous oeuvre back in 2013—a 1920s-inspired dreamy collection. He quips, however, that the pre-show jitters remain all the same. “When Tessa and Kaye asked me to do the show back then, I was both excited and nervous. I mean, it is the Red Charity Gala. It’s a major fashion event, and the designers who were featured before me are all talented in their own right,” he admits. “What kept me motivated is the fact that we’re doing this for service. That’s why I agreed to do the show right away.”
Ezra notes that it feels great to come together with his fellow designers and pour out their efforts and passion for a cause. “Tessa and Kaye are wonderful people. They’ve kept in touch with me all these years, and I am glad that they’ve kept the charity gala going strong.”
Moving forward from his 2019 Gala collection, Ezra hopes to create a similar endeavor for the Philippines. “I have been thinking about coming back more often,” he admits. “It’s a way for me to pay tribute to the country.” It’s a logical step for the grateful designer who is constantly on the lookout for ways to give back. “That’s how I derive meaning and fulfillment in my life: expressing gratitude for the wonderful blessings I receive and doing good things for other people.”-GD
“It’s important to constantly learn new things, pay attention to trends, and, ultimately, keep a strong work ethic.”