Wedding Guide Asia

From L to R: Marchesa, Vivienne Westwood Gold Label , Lela Rose

If yesterday’s post on trends for 2012 got you excited about your gown shopping, then today’s post should have you literally snapping out your credit card! Now we all know that twice a year (July and December), the world goes on sale. And none more so than one of my favourite online stores, Net-A-Porter.com. I just so happened to have a peek at their wedding sale and it is amazing! I might not be getting married at the moment but even I feel like buying a couple (haha!). Here are my favourite picks from the lot and I’ve taken the liberty of roughly converting the prices to USD:

Marchesa
Simple, sleek and the ruffle gives it that classic Marchesa touch. If you’re not familiar with the brand Marchesa (my fave brand atm), it’s worn by many A-list celebs and known for their detailing and feminine designs. Click here to view.
Price: USD 2560

Vivienne Westwood Gold Label
Remember when SJP donned this in the first Sex and the City movie? I swear this is a similar version to the one she wore! Chic, glam and stylish – how can you not love this gown? And its price tag…
Price: USD 1768

Lela Rose
For the traditional bride, this Lela Rose gown is a great option. You can’t see it in the pic above but there is an embroidered floral pattern on the dress that is subtle but gives it an added shimmer up close.
Price: USD 3434

From L to R: Temperley London (two gowns) and Alberta Ferretti

Temperley London (1)
If you’ve been addicted watching Downton Abbey like me, then this number might just remind you of the hit show (plus Mathew and Mary). This ivory stretch-silk and tulle gown will ensure you’re the perfect vintage bride. And who could say no to Temperley!
Price: USD 2375

Temperley London (2)
Do me a favour and click on the link to check out this gown up close because it wins on the detailing. Embellished with crystals, this silk chiffon gown is said to flatter any silhouette.
Price: USD 1100

Alberta Ferretti
A little more pricey than the rest, to me this gown is not only flattering to the figure but I love the layers and raw edging used to give it that fashionista touch. (more…)

Celest with her two daughters and Miss Malaysia Universe Deborah Henry

Just recently, Malaysia International Fashion week (MIFA) was held in Kuala Lumpur. This meant lots of models, champagne, fashionistas (fighting for the front row), designers and press clamouring to get in to the best shows.

Yours truly managed to get an invite to Celest Thoi’s debut with her amazing wedding line. As usual, I was a bit late and albeit hoping it was fashionable was initially not allowed in! Why so? Because unknown to me, a member of royalty was already inside and apparently no one was allowed to enter. Thanks to some nudging (and maybe WGA muscle?!), we managed to convince the bouncers to let us in and have a seat.

Was it worth it? Definitely. Here at WGA we think Celest will make her mark in the Malaysian bridal scene this coming year!

With many bridal boutiques out there, how do you distinguish yourself from the rest?

I guess the direction of my style remains pretty much the same after all these years as I work on the philosophy of timeless, simplicity and elegance for all of my designs. Every Celest Thoi gown is beautifully hand-crafted with luxurious fabrics, ethereal detailing and a modern interpretation of classic lines. I want brides who wear my designs to still love the dress many years down memory lane.

Many girls dream of being the bride, but only a few dream of working in the industry. What was your calling?

Well, it was definitely one of the many things I aspired to do when I was younger. Like all little girls, I loved doodling, making crafts and playing dress-up. I get attracted to pretty things from bugs to lights. I love going to shops that sell trimmings, ribbons, buttons etc. And I can spend hours looking around, hoping to buy them all! I love working with these pretty things coupled with gorgeous fabrics and also, the fact that I work with very happy and excited people…it makes me feel happy and fulfillled at the same time.

You’ve got two gorgeous daughters. How do you juggle both?

I am very blessed to have a very supportive husband and family who are there for my kids when I am busy with work. I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you!

We’re loving all the pics from your MIFA show, what was it like to walk down the runway? (more…)

Priscilla Kidder herself. Courtesy of coutureallure.blogspot.com

Here at WGA we’re sad to see the end of an era as the prestigious bridal boutique Priscilla of Boston closes its doors for the final time. For those of you not familiar with the brand, Priscilla of Boston is well-known in the States as the place for beautiful wedding gowns. It shot to fame decades ago when it scored the dream job of tailoring Grace Kelly’s wedding gown. Known as the original “Vera Wang” of that time, the woman behind it all, designer Priscilla Kidder has long been credited with changing the wedding industry…

Princess Grace Kelly. Courtesy of weddingbellsblog.com

The beginning of things

In 1940, a young Priscilla Kidder graduated from the New England School of Design and soon after opened her first store. In time to come, she was quickly recognised as an international expert known for her elegant bridal designs. But it wasn’t till 1956, when she created the dress for Grace Kelly’s wedding to Prince Rainier – that “everyone wanted to be a Priscilla bride”. After that, her clientele spanned the who’s who of America and Europe, with presidential daughters and notable families like the Fords and the Rockefellers.

Priscilla of Boston is known for their elegant gowns

Fastforward to today and unfortunately the investors behind Priscilla’s have pulled the plug and decided to close its 19 stores. Instead, they will continue to invest in Priscilla’s sister division, David’s Bridal, which houses more affordable lines. Is this a sign of the times? The most expensive dress at David’s is USD 1400 whereas at Priscilla’s, prices go up to USD 10,000. With the American economy still in the doldrums, surveys by The Knot and Wedding Channel found that the average spend on a gown by an American bride is just above USD 1,000, putting Priscilla’s out of reach for most. (more…)

Courtesy of jessmcb.com

For all our readers who are overseas or didn’t catch our column in The Star newspaper (Malaysia) the other day, here’s our piece on finding the best wedding gown for your bod. Yes, before you start flipping through the bridal mags or scouring the net for the latest designs and trends, a bride should firstly sort out what style of dress suits her figure. Now, you might find it odd that our feminine body shapes are likened to the shapes of  ‘fruits’, but it is apparently one of the most popular ways to sort out exactly ‘who’ you are.

* All bridal gown pictures provided by Designer Bridal Room boutique.

Reem Acra gown with the flattering empire waistline

Pear-shaped

If you’re a pear-shaped girl, your hips tend to be a bit heavier so you need to choose a seriously figure-friendly style, such as the empire waistline or baby-doll gown that brings attention away from your hips.

Tip: A princess or full skirt will help create the effect of defining your waist.

Beware: Evil slinky fabrics that will hug at your hips.

Slinky and seductive with an Annasul Y gown

Banana

Not only am I Eurasian but it seems I’m a banana when it comes to my figure as well! If you’re a banana lady, you’ve got a straight-down figure that’s less hourglass but somewhat evenly proportioned (Hello hips, where are you?!). Opt for a princess or A-line gown that enhances the bust line and creates more of an even hip-to-waist ratio. Or simply a gown that has some beading or tie that highlights the waist, as the Annasul gown does above. Or if you want to downplay your height, go for a more voluminous silhouette.

Tip: Think halter necks and silky, body-hugging fabrics that show off your shape.

Beware: High heels (if you’re already tall) and headpieces that make you even taller!

La Sposa gown in the Mermaid cut

Hourglass

Ahhh…. the figure all women crave for; a narrow waist with evenly proportioned bust and hips. (more…)

A soft and feminine design from Dorian Ho F/W 2011

With Asia taking the world by storm, it’s no surprise that Asian designers are also enjoying some added limelight. Introducing Dorian Ho, the Hong Kong designer who has made his mark amongst Western and Asian brides alike with his collection of fashion-forward and glamorous bridal designs. Available around the world from Lane Crawford in Hong Kong, Barneys in Japan and Saks Fifth Avenue, New York – we managed to get hold of the very busy Dorian for a quick chat on how he ensures he’s always a step ahead.

How did you go from being a young Boston grad to a HK fashion designer?

Once I finished studying in the States, I did as many Asian students do – and returned home! Back in Hong Kong, I was given the option of working for the family business, which manufactures garments for brands such as Donna Karan and Calvin Klein – or doing my own thing. As you can tell, I decided to choose my own path and started out with an internship at the Australian label Country Road. One thing led to another and when I noticed the Chinese economy starting to boom, I thought it was the right time to launch a line of good quality ladies’ wear. So in 1993 I created ‘Doriano’, my own label that targeted the Chinese market.

I'm loving this dreadlocked-tie-dyed look!

Why didn’t you join your family’s business?

The role of a manufacturer is very passive, so by starting my own retail business I was able to actually create demand and at the same time dictate what would be designed.

You sold up Doriano and created your namesake haute couture line in 2001. How does Dorian Ho compare to Doriano?

The experience of Dorian Ho and Doriano is completely different; the two are like night and day. With Doriano, my collection had to be ‘safe’ as it catered for the Chinese market, so I had to work around design restrictions that limited my creativity. However, Dorian Ho is a designer collection, where buyers are always on the lookout for something new and exciting – which ensures the design possibilities are endless.

Some of the more classic designs from Dorian Ho Bridal

Dorian Ho Bridal is known for its feminine and classic designs, which are accentuated by hand-stitched detailing. What, to you, makes a Dorian Ho Bridal dress stand out?

Ladies always want to look stunning and most of them care about how they appear in their husband’s eyes, especially on their wedding day! Wedding gowns designed by a male designer, using a man’s point of view can be more persuasive. And with the high quality fabric like silk taffeta or brocade, our designs can accentuate the bride’s unique characteristics.

An Oriental touch

You’ve got two bridal lines. Besides the traditional Bridal collection, you also have the D’Orient line, which has an Eastern influence. Tell us more about this. (more…)