Wang's bridal collection comes to town
Wang's bridal collection comes to town
Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Many people, or parents to be exact, are willing to pay millions
and even billions of rupiah to hold a grand wedding reception.
However, would they pay up to US$12,000 for a wedding dress,
an outfit that is only worn once? (Except if you're married seven
times like Hollywood dame Elizabeth Taylor).
But if the latest Jaguar model can be sold out in a second
here, as well as any over-priced branded merchandise, why
wouldn't an exclusive bridal gown?
Therefore, it is certainly no wonder that the distributor of
American designer Vera Wang was interested in the Indonesian
market -- the very first Vera Wang bridal collection fashion show
was held recently in Jakarta.
The show was held at Hotel Mulia Senayan in Central Jakarta,
presenting Wang's Spring/Summer 2003 bridal and evening gown
collection, by the Vera Wang Corp., the Asian branch office
located in Hong Kong, and Singapore's The Link boutique.
The latter is the only distributor of Vera Wang in Asia and
has been marketing the designer's collections, with complete
accessories, for six years. The Link also holds licenses to
distribute collections from other world-class designers,
including John Galiano and Badgley Mischka.
Vera Wang Corp.'s Hong Kong office itself was established just
six months ago.
"Asia is an important market, and the Indonesian market has
great potential," General Manager Swana Luk told The Jakarta Post
after the show.
The Link's Vice President Alphonsus Chung said they often
received orders from Indonesian customers.
"Many Indonesian customers come to our boutique in Singapore,
and make up 15 to 20 percent of our total customers," Chung told
the Post.
Comprising 50 pieces, the show summed up what Wang is known
for: Elegant and stylish designs with great cut and finishing.
These attributes make her the most respected and influential
designer of wedding dresses in the world.
Her Spring/Summer 2003 bridal collection was clearly inspired
by the European Renaissance, and includes gowns fitted with
strapless Duchess corsets and strapless Duchess full gowns.
Only a few of the pieces come in the traditional white of
bridal gown, and most are in off-white, some in satiny cream,
which are pretty nevertheless.
Wang uses satin, georgette, tulle, organza and silk in her
gowns. As for the details, there are many bows and ribbons, both
short and long, flowing down the backs of the dresses.
Wang also uses lace and embroidery to enhance the bust,
waistline and hem. A particularly attractive piece is a
strapless, precision-cut A-line gown that is adorned with an
embroidered floral motif, with the motif cut out along the inner
borders, locally known as kerancang embroidery.
The bridal collection is elegant and simple, with minimalist
details. Excessively long bridal trains a la Lady Diana are
absent in the collection, with the longest trailing about a meter
behind the happy bride.
A little out of the ordinary is a slightly funky and sunny
gown, a silk and tulle ball gown with hand-painted yellow
butterfly details along the decolletage and bust.
The evening gown collection is equally elegant and stylish,
and comes in a variety of hues, such as red, black, purple and
champagne. One gown that stood out was a lilac, full-length, silk
halter gown embellished with lace.
As with the bridal collection, the evening gowns were also
trimmed with bows, ribbons and lace.
Gowns from the collection, can only be purchased by
appointment through The Link in Singapore, as they do not yet
have a boutique in Indonesia.
The bridal collection are divided into three price ranges:
From US$1,700 to $3,000, $3,000 to $6,000, and $6,000 to $12,000.
The prices of evening gowns, meanwhile, range from $3,000 to
$10,000.