Eighteen is a wonderful age, isn’t it? Adulthood is only beginning, and there’s an entire lifetime ahead to discover the person you want to become. Even so, knowing what you like can be a good place to start.
Take Caprice Cayetano, for instance. With a colorful venue prepared for her debut, the young actress had one request for her main gown: silver. It was a decision she made months before the celebration, when she began planning her three-look wardrobe with styling duo Maita Baello and Melville Sy of Studio 24c. And while the color was settled early on, there was still the exciting business of turning her preference into a dress worthy of her 18th birthday celebration.
The Making of Caprice Cayetano’s Mak Tumang Gown
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Baello and Sy enlisted Mak Tumang to create Cayetano’s main gown, bringing their references to the designer with an idea of how they envisioned the dress on her. “We wanted that ethereal quality, especially in the skirt, so it would feel light and have movement,” they tell MEGA. “Mak gave the gown a beautiful focal point with the embellishmentEmbellishmentDecorative detailing added to a garment or accessory, such as beading, sequins, crystals, embroidery, appliqué, feathers, or pearls. Embellishment adds texture, sparkle, and craftsmanship, and is especially prized in bridalGo to Embellishment Glossary at the shoulders while the skirt kept that sense of lightness.”
The resulting serpentine creation is lavishly adorned across its fitted bodice, with shimmering beadwork tracing curved lines toward the waist. At the shoulders, intricate accents draw the eye upward, while layers of airy tulleTulleA lightweight, sheer netting fabric used to create volume, veils, and airy overlays in gowns, skirts, and bridal wear. Soft and romantic, tulle gives a dreamy, ballerina-like effect, and hasGo to Tulle Glossary give the skirt its generous volume. Against the vibrant backdrop of her event, the silver gown complemented the occasion just as Cayetano had imagined.
Maita Baello and Melville Sy Know Caprice Cayetano Has Taste
Aside from Tumang’s creation, Steph Tan also contributed a pink drop-waist number, while Fatima Beltran embroidered Cayetano’s after-party dress with personal references, including her Pinoy Big Brother name tag and an Instax. Sparkle connected all three looks, interpreted differently by each designer.
Having styled Cayetano for years, Baello and Sy have watched her develop an appreciation for looks that suit her personality. “Caprice has always gravitated toward pieces that are both cute and elegant,” they share. “She already has a point of view and we’re excited to see how she plays with it as she gets older.”
They can see her experimenting with bolder silhouettes and enjoying more adventurous details in the future. And judging by their affectionate assessment of their client, they have every reason to look forward to it: “The girl has taste!”
For Cayetano, the years ahead will bring new experiences and, inevitably, different styles to try. Her preferences may change as she grows older, but her debut already offers an encouraging glimpse of how she’s approaching that journey. She’s elegant, yet she doesn’t abandon her playful nature to appear more mature. More importantly, she knows how to communicate and she trusts the people who can help bring her ideas to life.
At eighteen, that’s a wonderful kind of confidence to have.
Photographed by NICEPRINTPHOTO
Frequently Asked Questions
Caprice Cayetano wore a three-look wardrobe for her 18th birthday celebration: a silver main gown by Mak Tumang, a pink drop-waist dress by Steph Tan, and an after-party dress by Fatima Beltran. Stylists Maita Baello and Melville Sy of Studio 24c planned the looks months in advance.
Mak Tumang designed Caprice Cayetano’s silver debut gown. Stylists Maita Baello and Melville Sy of Studio 24c brought the designer references and an idea of the dress, aiming for an ethereal skirt that feels light and has movement, with shoulder embellishment as a focal point.
Caprice Cayetano’s Mak Tumang gown is a serpentine creation with a fitted bodice adorned with shimmering beadwork tracing curved lines toward the waist. Intricate accents at the shoulders draw the eye upward, while layers of airy tulle give the silver skirt its generous volume and sense of lightness.
Maita Baello and Melville Sy of Studio 24c styled Caprice Cayetano’s debut. Having styled her for years, they say she gravitates toward pieces that are both cute and elegant. They began planning her three-look debut wardrobe months before the celebration, starting with her request for a silver main gown.
Fatima Beltran embroidered Caprice Cayetano’s after-party dress with personal references, including her Pinoy Big Brother name tag and an Instax. Sparkle connected all three of her debut looks, with each designer, Mak Tumang, Steph Tan, and Fatima Beltran, interpreting the detail differently.
