LIQUID STAR PHOTOGRAPHY

Furne One, designer and owner of brand, Amato Haute Couture, has never been in higher demand. Celebrated for his natural ability to craft extravagant and artistic designs, the Dubai based designer has quickly made his way up the fashion ladder and is regarded as one of the most hotly anticipated designers on the global fashion stage. Originally from the Philippines, Furne was mesmerized by fashion from an early age having inherited his Mother and Grandmother’s love for beautiful clothes and began sketching at the age of ten. Furne One’s first foray into the fashion world saw him win the MEGA Magazine Young Designer of the Philippines Award in 1994; a competition judged by key fashion players including Josie Natori. Natori saw Furne’s potential and offered him an apprenticeship at his New York design house. It was here that Furne was able to further explore and indulge his passion for fashion. In the same year, Furne also scooped the first prize at Japan’s Women’s Wear Awards and just three years later he went on went on to become a finalist at Manila’s Fashion Designer Awards. In 2002, Furne opened his first boutique, Amato, meaning “beloved”, in Dubai to provide his elite clientele with an unrivaled array of hand stitched designs and intricately detailed creations. Known for his creative flair, Furne’s design credentials soon saw him inundated with offers for his work. After following the rise of the Amato success, in 2007, Swarovski commissioned Furne to design a glittering bridal dress which featured in their limited edition book, Unbridaled. Furne’s collaboration with Swarovski did not end there and he has since partnered with the brand to produce show-stopping collections for its Crystalised Swarovski Elements events. In 2008 Furne’s imaginative creations caught the eye of the European fashion elite at Germany’s Next Top Model and he was invited to be a special guest designer in the shows season finale with supermodel Heidi Klum. The tremendous response to his collections resulted in a reprise of this role for the following three years, a move which rocketed Furne One and Amato Couture onto the international fashion centre stage. A regular on the catwalk at international fashion weeks including London, Dubai, Los Angeles and Miami, Furne is one of the most desirable rising talents in the fashion world, which is further demonstrated by the long list of celebrities who include Amato Couture as one of their red carpet favourites. Celebrities who can be seen wearing Furne’s creations include supermodel Heidi Klum, singing sensations Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Shakira, Heidi Klum, Nicole Scherzinger, Amber Rose and Nicki Minaj. 2012 will be a monumental year for Furne One and Amato Couture following the successful opening of the brands first boutique in the US, in Los Angeles and plans to expand further. When asked about the keys to his success, Furne shares that it’s about diligence. “Hard work and diligence. But, you know, there are so many talented designers everywhere so I think you also need a little luck. Being in the right place at the right time. I was lucky,” he said with a smile.