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Growing up in a family of farmers in Tarlac, celebrity event stylist Gideon Hermosa looks back on how it all started from his first design studio in Dagupan City

“What a journey.” This is how renowned event stylist Gideon Hermosa recounted his 15 years in the design industry.

Hermosa styled weddings and other event celebrations for A-list celebrities such as Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes, Anne Curtis, Bea Alonzo, and Kathryn Bernardo, among many others. 

But for Hermosa, beyond the glamour, event styling is all about crafting lifetime memories.

“The highlight of my 15-year career would be the hundreds, maybe even thousands, of couples and people we made happy in every occasion that we did. The fact that you’re part of their once-in-a-lifetime event, it’s a huge thing,” he shared. 

Celebrating this milestone, Hermosa looked back to where he began: “I started very young, 22 [years old], when I started, so I really went through a lot… I came from a province so I had no any exposure in Manila and abroad, so I really I started from scratch.”

Hermosa grew up in a family of farmers in the province of Tarlac. Fueled only by his dream for creativity and determination, he opened his first ever design studio in Dagupan City beside his home province. 

In hindsight, he shares a message to his younger self who once braved solo-traveling to Divisoria, Dangwa and Baguio all in one day just to get the freshest of flowers for his events: “Take care of yourself, don’t get too pressured,” he said. “Take your time. Your time will really come.”

His time did come. For 15 years, Hermosa, along with his styling team House of Hermosa, transformed ballrooms, beachfronts, and even the most unconventional wedding places like basketball courts into the most beautiful and unforgettable memories.  

When asked how he keeps his designs fresh and innovative after all these years, he credits two things — not settling for less and traveling. 

“I don’t settle with my goals, like when I achieve it, that’s it. I always try to elevate my goals higher and higher every time. And of course, traveling the world has been helping me to discover things, to learn,” he added. 

Today, Hermosa has traveled across the globe, designing weddings in destinations such as Morocco, Singapore, Italy, Greece, and Lithuania, among others. 

Being a pioneer in the industry, Hermosa celebrated his 15th anniversary with the #Gideonized Masterclass for up-and-coming event stylists in the country. 

“When I was starting, I also experienced what they’re going through,” he shared. “The only difference was probably during that time, there weren’t any masterclasses on event styling. I didn’t know where to learn things… They’re lucky that we have this masterclasses now. I’m very grateful also, because I always love to give back.”

The three-day masterclass was held from June 30 to July 2, ending with a gala night entitled, “A beautiful chaos.”

Gideon explained this is what event styling ultimately meant to him — chaotic, but beautiful. 

“Doing an event is chaotic usually. It’s very stressful,” he pointed out. “But at the end of the day, when you see the output, when you see the couple with happy faces, and sometimes teary-eyed, it takes all the stress away.”

The gala was attended by his family, longtime event partners, and loyal clients who have since become some of his closest friends. The event set-up was also designed by his very own masterclass students. 

Present in the star-studded night were fashion designers Michael Cinco and Francis Libiran. His previous celebrity clients also joined in the celebration, including Alodia Gosiengfiao, Christian Bautista, Ruffa Gutierrez, Yeng Constantino, Ara Mina, and Janeena Chan.

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