@P@ 1 picture credit to go here please picture credit to go here please 148 The names We asked some of Australias best bridal designers to share the secrets behind their gowns, and how you can buy one Styling by charlotta Backlund Photography by paul suesse Light, $595, Matt Blatt ( mattblatt.com. au).cs0314p148_ r1_ names – 148 2013-12-18T12:23:46+11:00@P@ 1 picture credit to go here please picture credit to go here please Alex Perry 149Why did you go into bridal-gown design?Back when I started, people werent really into red-carpet gowns and bridal was a great way to start my business. I really just tried to make chic evening gowns in white!What do you love about it?I was overwhelmed by how beautiful Mary was when we married. When Im designing, I want the groom to feel that. I love when a guy writes in to say how beautiful their bride was.Do you have any advice for brides looking for their dream dress?You should be able to translate any wedding dress to black and it would be an amazing gown. The details:Do you have to make an appointment?Yes, the gowns are made to measure.How far in advance do you have to order a gown?Its good to have four or five months. That way you have a fitting a month. What price range do your gowns sit in? Custom-made dresses are from about $8000 to $30,000.What could a bride expect from an appointment with you?I meet the bride to know what shes thinking. Rather than look at a million pictures, I workshop and sketch ideas. Visit alexperry.com.au to find out more. ALEX WEARS His own clothes, shoes and accessories. VALENTINA WEARS Dress $16,000, Alex Perry (alexperry.com.au). Ring $245, Swarovski (1300 791 599). OPPOSITE Dresses (from left to right) $14,000; $18,000; $10,000, all Alex Perry (alexperry.com.au). Light, $595, Matt Blatt ( mattblatt.com. au).cs0314p149_ names – 149 2013-12-17T09:38:42+11:00@P@ 1 picture credit to go here please picture credit to go here please 150 Karen Willis holmes When did you begin the karen Willis holmes brand? In 2000, my husband suggested I specialise in wedding gowns when I moved from Perth to Sydney. Now I get to be part of someones special day. Whats your signature style?Feminine, with a big focus on the silhouette, and understated, allowing brides to tailor their gown with different pieces and accessories for a unique look.do you have any advice for brides looking for their dream dress?Try to focus on gowns you realistically want to pay for! The deTails: do you have to make an appointment?No, brides can visit us when they like during opening hours. how far in advance do you have to order a gown? We require at least six months for our bespoke collection, but we also sell off the rack. What price range do your gowns sit in?From $1989 to $15,000. What can a bride expect from an appointment with you?We discuss ideas for her dream dress, then we meet over six to 12 months for five fittings. karen Wears Jacket $149, Country road (countryroad.com.au). Blouse $69.95, Staple the label (staplethelabel.com). pants $90, Elk (elk.net.au). shoes and accessories her own. ValentIna Wears dress $2449; overskirt $490; veil $250, belt $299; all Karen Willis holmes (karenwillisholmes.com). earrings $59, georgini (georgini.com.au). Visit karenwillisholmes.com to find out more. Barrels, thaNKs to the sailors cluB ( thesailorscluB.coM. au). tulle, thaNKs to spotlight ( spotlight.coM. au).cs0314p150_ r1_ names – 148 2013-12-16T17:29:31+11:00@P@ 1 picture credit to go here please picture credit to go here please henry Roth When did you begin the henry roth brand?Im from three generations of bridal design. I was born into it!Whats your signature style?21st-century modern princess anything but cookie-cutter. describe the gown in our shoot Its the Samone dress, which I designed in New York with my sister, Michelle. It features vintage-style fabric cut against a contemporary silhouette.do you have any advice for brides looking for their dream dress?Never let anyone convince you that you have to buy a gown. Its about feeling it with your heart. The deTails: do you have to make an appointment?We have some available, but theyre not needed. how far in advance do you have to order a gown? Twelve to 14 months is ideal.What price range do your gowns sit in?From $650 to $2200. What can a bride expect from an appointment with you?Come expecting entertainment but real guidance. Everyone gets the celeb treatment. Visit henryroth.com to find out more. henrY Wears his own clothes and accessories. ValentIna Wears dress $1850, henry roth (henryroth.com). earrings $115, Samantha Wills (samanthawills.com). 151Barrels, thaNKs to the sailors cluB (thesailorscluB. coM.au). tulle, thaNKs to spotlight (spotlight. coM.au). cs0314p151_ r1_ names – 148 2013-12-16T17:29:31+11:00@P@ 1 PICTURE CREDIT TO GO HERE PLEASE PICTURE CREDIT TO GO HERE PLEASE Steven Khalil When did you begin the Steven Khalil brand? Nineteen years ago, when I created my first wedding gown. Ive always loved the romance and fantasy around wedding dresses. Whats your signature style?Classic, elegant and glamorous. Do you have any advice for brides looking for their dream dress?What looks great in an editorial or campaign shoot might not work for you, so know your personal style. THE DETAILS: Do you have to make an appointment?Yes, were by-appointment only.How far in advance do you have to order a gown?Brides should book their initial consultation 10 months ahead.What price range do your gowns sit in?From $7000 to $10,000.What can a bride expect from an appointment with you?We do a design consultation with fabric, colours, styling options, and plenty of guidance. Visit stevenkhalil.com to find out more. STEVEN WEARS His own clothes, shoes and accessories.VALENTINA WEARS Dress from $ , , Steven Khalil (stevenkhalil.com). Ring $ , Swarovski ( ). 153cs0314p153_ names – 153 2013-12-17T09:39:57+11:00@P@ 1 picture credit to go here please picture credit to go here please 155 lilli marcs When did you begin the lilli Marcs brand? Two and a half years ago. Ive been involved in fashion for the past 45 years, but it was my daughter, Elizabeth, who encouraged me to follow my dreams and have my designs gracing the runway. Whats your signature style?Contemporary, feminine and chic. do you have any advice for brides looking for their dream dress?Do your research before you start shopping and try on as many gowns as you can even the ones youre not too sure about. Youll be surprised at what can look good on you. The deTails: do you have to make an appointment?Yes I love meeting the bride one-on-one. how far in advance do you have to order a gown?Between six and 12 months.What price range do your gowns sit in?From $3500 to $6000. What could a bride expect from an appointment with you?Our consultations are welcoming and relaxed. We go out of our way to make you feel special. Visit lillimarcs.com.au to find out more. chaNdeliers $ 179 each, BeacoN lightiNg ( BeacoNlightiNg.coM. au).lIllI Wears her own clothes and shoes. ValentIna Wears dress $4800, lilli Marcs (lillimarcs.com.au). earrings $199; ring $129, both georgini (georgini.com.au). Bracelet $245, Swarovski (1300 791 599). hair by Budi Juspandi/2c Management. Makeup by kelly tapp/2c Management.hair and makeup by Byron turnbull/reload agency.Model: Valentina/chic Management. styling assistant: rachel dowling. cs0314p155_ r1_ names – 148 2013-12-16T17:29:31+11:00
Charlotta Backlund 