At a very early age, fashion designer Ezra Santos remembers coming home from school at 3:00 p.m. and watching black and white movies every day.

“I was so engrossed with these films that I would copy the dresses of the actresses by wrapping towels or blankets around my body to create and make different dress styles. At grade two, I already started drawing big ball gowns inspired by Cinderella,” the Dubai-based Filipino designer narrated.

Born in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines, the designer said, “I grew up in a private compound where our entire neighborhood was so close that we treated each other like family. We knew each other so well since we lived there for a long time.”

Aside from watching black and white movies, Santos was also fascinated by the way his mom and their female neighbors dressed up, especially for Sunday mass or parties. “I was a quiet boy, but I was very observant. I was very fascinated by the fashion of the 40s and the 50s.”

Now considered one of the 100 most influential Filipinos in the Gulf in 2018 and 2020 by Illustrado magazine, Santos has blossomed from his humble beginnings in Manila to becoming an international fashion designer whose Ezra Couture has been worn by Hollywood A-listers like Lady Gaga, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, and Nicole Scherzinger, among others, and from royalty to beauty queens and social media influencers like Heart Evangelista.

What is impressive about Ezra Couture is Santos’ unique way of using indigenous materials from the Philippines to create a modern East-West design.

He said, “I have been trying my best to use the Philippine fabrics as inspiration for my collections like how I used them in the following shows.” He goes on to describe the shows.

In The Beginning (2007) – “My first fashion show in Dubai where I used the butterfly sleeves of our Philippine terno in the collection.”

Weave of Love (2016) – “I used the banig (handwoven mat) as a skirt, jacket, and weave techniques pattern.”

Clara Collection (2012) – “I used the piña (pineapple) fiber, calado (lace embroidery), and many more.”

Santos explained, “You can always find that hometown touch in my collections. It is in the genes of Ezra Couture. I vow to use and present my home roots and its products in my collections.”

 

Santos, who has showcased his work in Dubai, New York, and Harbin, China, believes in the motto, “One must innovate to exist.”

We interviewed Santos via email. Below are excerpts from our interview.

How challenging was it for you to break into the international fashion scene as an Asian fashion designer? What did you do to succeed?

The challenge is immense. I believe every industry has its own share of challenges. In fashion, I can now say it is more competitive. To break through and flourish was and always [will] be by God’s grace alone when I look back now. I did my part to stay relevant to the emerging and endlessly evolving fashion industry.

From the Philippines, you moved to Dubai. Why did you move and what is in Dubai that helped you flourish as an international fashion designer?

I moved to Dubai because there was a call of opportunity during that time. Nowadays, Dubai is named ‘the land of opportunities.’ That has not completely sunk in with me yet since I have been working hard all these years and at the same time enjoying pursuing my passion.

As this land became the melting pot of seasoned and rising talents, Dubai, or I must say, the UAE, has the most nurturing environment for every creative pursuit. There is a system in this land that helps people achieve their dreams more realistically. Not easier, but at least, it’s not impossible.

You have dressed celebrities. Tell us why it was memorable.

Each celebrity is memorable for me in different ways. It is an honor for the brand to be seen and admired by international audiences, especially when it plays as support from the fashion industry to the world, be it in the celebrities’ portfolios or for the welfare of the community.

Paris Hilton – She wore my Ezra Couture off-shoulder body-hugging silver gown with a train and looked radiant at the amfAR 21st Annual Cinema Against AIDS during the 67th Cannes Film Festival. The event was not only to parade stars but to also raise funds for AIDS awareness programs.

Colbie Calliat – I must say this American singer-songwriter-guitarist was so stunning in her crimson applique dress when she attended the Grammy awards show in 2014. That crimson dress is a personal favorite of Ezra Couture. It was also Colbie’s breakthrough in the music industry if I remember right.

Jennifer Lopez – She was ABS-olutely steaming hot and a real goddess in that sultry royal blue dress for Latina Magazine February 2015 issue. I am sure it was also memorable for Jennifer as that was also the launch of her movie, The Boy Next Door, during that time.

 

In the Philippines, we also got to dress our local celebrities and our beautiful Filipinas for pageantry. One of the crowd’s favorites whom I also got to meet personally was Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. Pia wore Ezra Couture for the ABS-CBN Ball 2017 and 2019.

Pia always displays feline energy and plays her character in each dress she wears. No wonder she always gets hailed as the best dressed.

At the ABS-CBN Ball in 2018, it was actress Maja Salvador’s turn to emerge as a chic queen with her feathered shawl over a crystal showered tube. I love it when the celebrities are happy with our creations. This positive feedback ripples down to all my co-workers and the entire Ezra Couture team.

 

In the UAE, we get to dress up Arab and Bollywood celebrities. This has given us diverse opportunities to showcase what Ezra Couture is all about in all aspects – a wearable couture that has substance!

What would you advise aspiring fashion designers who would like to make it in the industry and follow in your footsteps?

Start small. Dream big! Have faith in God. Believe that you are blessed with talent. Have a vision and identity. Lastly, prayer makes a lot of difference!

Your future projects?

I have a lot but one of them is to launch a branch in the Philippines – in the comfort of our real homeland. I know when the time is right it will happen.