HIS MIDAS TOUCH
Through his masterful technique and magical vision, FURNE ONE turns every dress he makes to fashion gold
Sporting voluminous blonde hair and a natural, quiet confidence, Furne One effortlessly charms with the enigmatic aura of an icon. While the Dubai-based designer may not be familiar to the ordinary Filipino, insiders immersed in the global fashion world would undoubtedly testify that the man behind the fashion powerhouse, Amato Couture, is indeed deserving of the label—letting his unparalleled, exquisite designs speak for themselves.
Refusing to succumb to trends, he remains committed to his aesthetic identity, which he describes as “more is more, rather than less is more”. Sticking to his distinct vision has led him to making his mark on the international stage. Coveted by elite patrons across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, One continues to impress with his growing list of exclusive clienteles, including A-list celebrities wearing his designs to some of Hollywood’s biggest events: from Katy Perry in the MTV Video Music Awards, to none other than Beyoncé in the Grammy’s.
It is, however, intriguing to witness how the extravagance of his work contrasts his soft-spoken, elusive demeanor. Not one to boast of his success, Furne's eyes light up most when he tells the story of how he began. As a young boy, he would watch in fascination as his grandmother’s mananahi would make and fit her dresses. Hardly knowing the word “designer”, he began sketching and dressing up dolls as a teenager.
Without much formal design training, Furne joined MEGA Magazine’s Young Designer Award in 1994—and won. The prize included a mentorship under the respected lingerie designer
Josie Natori, which skyrocketed him to the vibrant worlds of fashion in New York and Paris.
COLLABORATING WITH CRAFTSMEN
Furne, however, was attracted more to the small-town charm of Dubai rather than the glamour of the big cities. After visiting and falling in love with the city in the mid-90s, he decided to establish his base and grow his business there. He likes how working in Dubai allows him to collaborate closely with machineries, craftsmen, and workers, whom he says are instrumental in evolving and expanding his design visions.
“I believe in teamwork, you know? I’m learning everyday, seeing them work,” says Furne. “I’m like, ‘Ah! You can do that?’ So I go, ‘Okay, do this; do that.’ ”
The presence of the artisan’s hand and extraordinary attention to detail were indeed vivid in his latest collection for this year’s Red Charity Gala. Recalling a trip to Portugal, Furne shares how the country’s elaborate churches, adorned with golden statues of saints, had captivated him. Drawing inspiration from their ornate baroque elements, he collaborated with his craftsmen to incorporate their fine details seamlessly into his latest creations.
“It all started there: the architecture, the art, the gold leaf, the metal,” he says. “And then I sketched, designed, and talked with my team. I told them I loved this.”
ETHEREAL CREATURES
Inspired by these sacred spaces, his main theme behind this collection was thus an iconic, ethereal figure: the Virgin, and her diverse faces.
“It’s very. . . spiritual,” he says, laughing. “My underlining idea is the different versions of a Virgin around the world. There’s a black, Asian, Japanese Virgin. It may be the Virgin Mary or the Virgin Queen. It’s up to people to interpret it.”
While mystical themes have no doubt underlined his previous work, wherein lavish layers of jewels, lace, and tulle have transformed his models into living, breathing goddesses, his collection showcased at the Red Charity Gala was on a different transcendent plane on its own, conjuring a fresh take on the divine.
During the show last October 12, Furne's models stunned audiences as they gracefully floated across the runway like celestial creatures hailing from a surreal, sublime world. The models were draped in royal capes, sported bald heads and haloes, and wore immaculate golden gowns layered in rich, complex embroideries and beadwork. The collection revealed his innate flair for innovating and breaking conventions, evoking drama and awe, yet consistently delivering an aesthetic of fluid, cohesive harmony.
FINDING PEACE AND MEANING
The harmony inherent in his designs appears consistent with Furne's philosophy behind living a meaningful life: maintaining balance and peace of mind. Amidst the endless, overwhelming hustle and bustle pervading the world of fashion, he shares how it is only when there is harmony among the myriad things he juggles that he can achieve that sense of peace and rest.
“With these shows, it’s not just about the glitz and the glamour. It’s not just about design. You have to think of the business side and your workers. Your workers are like your family. You have to think of them—you’re giving them, you know, livelihood.”
This desire to give and care is testament to his rootedness and growth as a designer. He admits that when he was younger and still building his career, he was solely focused on enjoying his exposure to the international world of fashion, absorbing New York and
Paris for the first time. He never dreamed of having the chance to give back, especially on the grand scale of the Red Charity Gala. Nonetheless, deeply aware of his skill and stature today, Furne embodies that spirit of philanthropy, which he expresses in small, yet profound ways.
“Charity is about giving from the heart,” says Furne. “I’m teaching young kids now. My youngest apprentice in Dubai: she’s nine years old. She loves designing, and she wants to be a designer. So I’m teaching her.”
Constantly surprising himself and others, it’s hard to predict what Furne will be doing next. One thing he reveals, though, is that he’s currently working on his ready-to-wear line—moving closer to his dream to go mainstream. And we’re not complaining: the world would sure be a better place with more of Furne making himself known, spreading his rare gift of turning clothes into gold. -NS