Wedding gowns can have character
Wedding gowns can have character
By Deborah P. Hutauruk
JAKARTA (JP): Accompanied by romantic music and wearing
wedding dresses and evening gowns, five models swayed elegantly
along an exquisitely designed stage in The Regent's ballroom.
Following the latest trend and an increasing market demand,
the Johnny Andrean Bridal company presented its 1997/1998
intricate and sophisticated wedding-gown collection, designed by
Tina Andrean with the theme Beautiful Bride.
The recent fashion show used romanticism as the dominant
feature for all five collections: Gala Evening, Soft Evening,
Romantic, Elegant and Fashionable.
Tasteful, feminine and slim designs were presented, complete
with details such as small flowers, beads and tiny crystals and
tiaras. Dominating the collections were fitted bodices, bared
shoulders and flared skirts.
The Gala Evening collection was a combination of colors; black
with yellow, green, pink and ivory satin and silk fabrics
detailed with small roses and ribbons at the back.
For Soft Evening, Tina presented soft colors in designs that
included A-line, Queen Anne neckline and off-the-shoulder styles.
The Romantic line was Tina's main style statement, represented
by tulle, organza, satin and silk fabrics in white and ivory
colors.
Elegant was the most formal line, with the gowns' trains
between 2.5 meters and 3.5 meters long, suitable for a grand
wedding in a ballroom.
For her 1997/1998 collection, she added a new line,
Fashionable. This beautiful line offered new styles in a
combination of pink and peach colors using Mikado fabric.
According to Tina, each gown took 60 days to make before
having to pass quality control checks.
She said most of her designs had classic themes, usually in
cream and white colors with western styles. "However, I also have
wedding gowns using ethnic designs," she told The Jakarta Post.
Tina guaranteed that any of her gowns would not get in a
bride's way to move actively and comfortably throughout her
wedding day.
Future brides can choose which style they want to wear to fit
their personality. Each gown has its own character and is
specifically designed to meet the atmosphere a couple choose for
their wedding and reception.
Rented
Prior to the show, 80 percent of her new collection had
already been ordered. The wedding dresses are usually rented up
to three times before finally being kept as part of a museum
collection Tina plans to establish in the near future.
According to one salesperson, the demand for wedding gowns is
highest during December and January and lowest between June and
July.
Johnny Andrean Bridal also offers complete wedding packages --
Gold, Complete Gold, Platinum, Complete Platinum, Diamond,
Complete Diamond and Royal -- which are classed by the gown
design and accompanying services. The cheapest package is Gold,
with prices start from Rp 2.58 million (US$1,074). Prices for the
most expensive package, Royal, start from Rp 17.8 million.
A complete package generally includes the gown, make up, the
groom's outfit, dresses for the flower girls, photographs and a
video of the wedding and the wedding cake. More sophisticated
gowns and services would cost more.
The company has also just started Bridal Loan with Bank Bali
Card Center, where interest-free loans are available to help pay
for the packages.
"As far as I know, Bank Bali is the only bank offering such a
program," said Rosidar Suhaid, the bank's business manager.
Rosidar said the loan is approved 21 days after a couple
complete the administrative process with Johnny Andrean Bridal.
The criteria to obtain a loan is based on a couple's minimum
combined annual salary of Rp 10 million ($4,163) per year.
Bank Bali charges a 1 percent to 4 percent administration fee.
They allow a maximum loan of 50 percent of the package price,
with a Rp 30 million loan limit allowed. A maximum of 12 months
is given for repayment of the loan.