Few months back, one of my high school best friends, Seska, sent me a “Will you be my bride’s maid?” online card, formally including me to her female entourage for her wedding, which happened last week! It includes a a collage of photos where we can choose what style we want to wear for the gown. All the gowns were very beautiful,  sophisticated and elegant. It all came from ZOO, a home grown brand, of ready-to-wear with quick customs

ZOO aims to provide affordable luxury and fashion-forward occasion wear dresses to celebrate a women’s momentous occasions like her birthday, wedding day, bridal entourage, engagement party or even prom! They have their official website, ZOO.COM.PH, where us, ladies can pick the style and color of gown that we want. But take note, these dresses can not be modified to your liking. For example, you can’t request to add some fairy sleeves to a spaghetti strapped dress. The clothes are available in extra small sizes to large, but they can modify to one’s size, as well as color. So I went to their SM Megamall Store to have my body measured. I went there a few weeks after for first fitting and then another one, after the repair and finally was able to take home my beautiful dress.

The thing with ZOO, for someone who has body issues like me – wants to hide the tummy and the arms and a not so issue, that I am somewhat endowed chest, I really had a hard time picking for a style that would suite me. The first gown I even chose was not in the options that Ses gave us. I first chose the Costa Brava Puff Sleeve Cross Back Maxi Dress. I just wanted a dress that has sleeves and one that could cover my chest.

During the day I had my body measured, I mentioned my body issues to the ZOO Label manager. She told me that wearing this dress could make my arm even bigger. She told me to check the ZOO website again for another style. I was having a hard time really, I told her how most of the dresses are more for those with smaller chests. Don’t get me wrong with the size of our breast friends, I’m not maligning anyone. In this case, the beautiful chic dresses of ZOO are in their favor and would fit them well more than me. Back to my story, I asked them that they might have dresses available for fitting in their racks. Luckily, they found one for me – a black version of the Valeria Deep V Maxi Dress with Layered Ruffle Front!
I immediately tried it out and fell in love with it right there and then. I liked it so much and I know I’d be able to pull it off. I’m not even at my best figure at the moment due to my anxiety and stress eating, if you know what I mean. But yes, I totally pulled it off and totally loved my Valeria Deep V Maxi Dress with Layered Ruffle Front in Old Rose. Wow, feel na feel! LOL I just felt really pretty that day, adding the beautiful make up that Hair and Makeup by Cristine Marie Herza did to me.

If you notice from the Zoo website photo and the one with mine, not only the difference with our sizes (hahaha!), but I also placed a ribbon on my waist to make my waist more prominent. Looks even better right? Good thing I have a similar color jumpsuit that also have a ribbon. I’m definitely satisfied and I loved all the other gowns of the team bride as well!

Aside from their physical boutique, they can also ship to provincial areas and international destinations. Visit them THE ADDRESS at WACK-WACK Condominium, Mandaluyong (11AM to 8PM with contact number +63917-8249807) and 2/L SM Megamall Building A, beside Forever 21 (Mall hours with contact number +63917-1263343).