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Photo courtesy of Pronovias ^[2]

Everyone at Martha Stewart Weddings was saddened to hear of the passing of designer Manuel Mota, the creative director of both Pronovias and his own eponymous line. Our heart goes out to his family, friends, and co-workers.

Manuel never failed to show his exuberance, appreciation for beauty, and creativity to anyone who came into contact with him. We feel honored to have been able to work with him and to have featured his designs over the years.

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A true artist with undeniable talent, Manuel looked at the runway as the place to let his imagination run free. We spoke with him just before the holidays about his designs, his passions, his process, and even Barcelona, his hometown, which has been a big source of inspiration for him. When we asked him to name his favorite gown from the current collection, he said, "They all are special to me, because each is a part of my work." He also mentioned he loved to see brides wearing veils again because it "envelops her in mystery and illusion."

More than anything, he believed that "it is important to respect the taste and style of each woman." And that, as followers and fans of his work, we could plainly see.

^[4]Manuel Mota for Pronovias "Vals" gown, featured in our Fall 2012 Style Issue