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New Zealand Weddings Magazine, Bridal Collection
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LOUISE ANDERSON
As a child Louise Anderson was devoted to exploring charity shops in search of vintage pieces, hand made silk laces, old silk satins and embroideries. Today she still finds elation in discovering a precious vintage piece. What she loves most about these treasured fabrics is the beauty of natural fibres, exquisite quality and embellishments. One thing that
has not changed is her addition to luxury textiles. Suggesting she was born in the wrong era, Louise’s design college tutor would today be applauding her successful 20 year career as one of New Zealand’s most respected bridal designers, and the winning of the American Express Canterbury Bridal Designer of the Year three years running. Some may describe her design ethic as rehabilitated modernised Victorian, others as a fitting tribute to silver screen goddesses. Ultimately, Louise Anderson gowns are adored by brides in full romantic mode as they celebrate their union. Whispering of exotic angels and ancestors past, creations of an ethereal nature are the themes portrayed in her bridal wear this season. Whether delicately infusing silk chiffons with antique hand crocheted laces, or playing with sari inspired draping, these red carpet pieces are sublime.
MURRAY CRANE
Auckland menswear designer, Murray Crane, has come a long way from his days as a Geraldine teenager customising op shop suits to approximate the fitted stylings of his punk idols.
Crane now owns four men’s clothing labels – Crane Brothers, Little Brother, Little Shit and Gubb & Mackie, and spends most of his time at Crane Brothers, his bespoke and ready-to-wear menswear store on Auckland’s High Street. Eschewing mass production, Crane Brothers is dedicated to the traditional and increasingly rare craft of tailoring.
With eleven years in the fashion design business, Crane is attune to the New Zealand male body shape and his careful measurements have enabled the development of a block pattern specifically for our Kiwi boys.
A Crane Brothers’ bespoke fitting allows the client to choose the fabric and finishing touches. Highly skilled workroom staff – many of whom are fully trained in tailoring – then transform the client’s vision into a reality.
With attention to detail and a focus on ‘shape, balance and fit’, Crane Brothers bespoke or off-the-rack suits result in quality equivalent to a Savile Row suit, ensuring the pleasure of a perfectly fitted suit is available to all New Zealand men when they want to look a cut above the rest.
KATE DOWMAN
After 22years in the bridal industry, 17 years designing under her own label Kate Dowman Bride, Kate has gained a reputation for creating gowns which encapsulate her love of contemporary design with a feminine edge. Kate's designs push the conventional "bridal boundaries" by blending soft hues of colour, with complicated fabrics, intertwining exquisite hand beading whilst retaining the harmony of what it means to be a womanly and sensual bride.
For more info email katedowman1@katedowmancouture.co.nz
MODES
MODES forefront of NZ occasion wear for 26 years largest occasion wear store in NZ.
Featuring exclusive designs from leading fashion houses around the world such as Nicole Miller and Dina Bar El New York, Pronovias, Manual Mota, Et al Spain and George Gross Harry Who, Matthew Eager Australia plus in house collection made to order in our work rooms for bridesmaids, Mother of the bride, Flower girls and Bridal.
Director Diane Stephenson and Designer “Kat Lonsdale” travel regularly to Australia, US and Europe to source latest trends fabrics and select from appropriate couture collections that offer point of difference and exceptional value for the quality of the fabric, cut and detail.
With combined experience of 26 years in the industry Diane and Katherine certainly know what they are looking for and are well able to interpret trends and tailor ranges to suit the New Zealand market.
Conveniently located in central Newmarket (NZ’s Fashion Capitol) the main occasion wear store at 176 Broadway houses the cocktail, ball, bridesmaid, mother of the bride and race wear collections and the gorgeous separate bridal showroom in a beautifully lit private courtyard at 160 Broadway houses couture bridal, accessories, flower girls.
ANNA SCHIMMEL
I have always loved beautiful clothes. Being part of a large, rustic family who enjoyed the fine arts I spent my teenage years studying music and art while experimenting in photography and fashion. Choosing to make fashion my profession I spent years training, working for fashion houses and learning every aspect of couture. After completing a Masters Degree at the German Masters School of Fashion, one of the best fashion schools in Europe I worked for this high profile fashion house: http://www.georgetarend.com/ Following this I was appointed the costumes master at the theatre http://www.nationaltheater-weimar.de/ adding another dimension to my skills. By the time I moved to New Zealand I had gained fifteen years of experience in beautiful Haute Couture as well as high fashion. While making my home here I freelanced as a patternmaker for top New Zealand fashion designers such as Karen Walker, Liz Mitchell and Trelise Cooper. In 2002 I designed my first bridal collection and now we are known for our beautiful wedding gowns and happy brides.
VINKA
The name Vinka is synonymous with fashion in New Zealand, having worked with and alongside New Zealand brides to realize their dreams for over 50 years. The founder, Vinka Lucas, became known as the “Queen of the Fashion World of Haute Couture Bridal and Evening Wear”, through her commitment to excellence and personalized, professional service. Her distinguished clientele famous from the world of opera and stage, royal and diplomatic circles, beauty pageants and special charity events made her known as a creative genius both here in New Zealand and overseas. She also established “Bridal Annual”, a premier Bridal magazine which she ran for fifteen years making bridal glamour accessible nationwide.
As fashions change so has the world of Vinka Design with Vinka, herself, now concentrating her effort in supporting her daughter Anita, a talented designer and former international model, who now leads the business that is Vinka Design. Today Vinka Design still starts with getting the basics right to create unique, gorgeous custom made wedding gowns, couture designs and special occasion wear that are hand made in New Zealand – a rarity in today’s manufacturing cost driven world. Vinka Designs still gains its inspiration from the goal of capturing their client’s individual beauty so as to design and bring to reality the gown of your dreams.
JANE YEH
‘For sixteen wonderful years I have been able to live my dream of creating romantic, beautiful and delicate wedding gowns.
To be able to fulfil a brides’ dream on her special day is a truly uplifting experience and to see the joy and excitement on a bride’s face when she stands in the completed gown of her dreams is something I will always cherish.
My salon at 272 Parnell Road is very spacious with an understated elegance and has within, private, comfortable and well planned fitting rooms up and downstairs.
Having the peaceful, calm ambiance, enjoyed by brides to be choosing a gown, puts them at ease when this can sometimes be a daunting processes.
Selecting a gown is an intimate process and I have a great sales team who have been with me for many years. They are highly experienced, friendly ladies who have spent many years in the industry helping brides from overseas and here in New Zealand.
Their job is to help brides through the process of finding the most suitable style of gown for their look and venue. The ladies will do their utmost to help brides choose accessories, veils and jewellery etc. to accentuate their gown.
The workroom ladies have superior sewing skills and have also been a great part of my team for a long time.
I personally oversee all the gorgeous gowns while they are being made and I attend each fitting to ensure a unique fit and that every details pertaining to the gown is perfectly carried out.
Every bride I work with gives me great pleasure and I look back with pride to the hundreds of beautiful brides I have delighted, both here and overseas by creating something special and unique for them on the most important day of their lives.
Many brides have sent letters to me expressing their thanks and joy for such a wonderful, enjoyable and unforgettable experience.’
- Jane Yeh
JOHN ZIMMERMAN
Born in Auckland New Zealand, John Zimmerman first learned ‘textiles’ at AIT in the late 80’s before travelling around Europe and Asia on extended ‘OE.
Upon returning, he has enjoyed involvement exclusively in New Zealand’s couture scene. Firstly at the ‘New Zealand Wedding Centre’ (designer / cutter), then as cutter / assistant for ‘Patrick Steel Couture’ and finally at his own atelier.
‘John Zimmerman Couture’ was opened in 2000, to cater for clients who share my love for handmade couture fashions.
He works with only the finest fabrics and techniques available to create marvellous clothes for my clients’ varying functions.
‘A wedding is of-course the most special of functions. I work with each of my brides to realise her ultimate dream gown, enabling her to present herself to family and friends beautifully and confidently.’ - John Zimmerman
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