She is renowned for creating wedding gowns for the modern bride who is stylish, sophisticated and fashion conscious.
So what does Karen Willis Holmes http://www.karenwillisholmes.com/au have in store for women about to swan down that aisle? Check out her new collection and place your orders now…
What’s the inspiration behind the new collection?
“The 2014 Bespoke Collections are inspired by modern and metropolitan influences. The collection mixes architectural shapes and lines, as seen with the Alassandra gown and soft floaty silhouettes, like the Lyla gown, with the collection punctuated with different textured laces.
Following the success of the KWH by KAREN WILLIS HOLMES Collection, this year the 2014 collection will include ten gown designs, featuring beautiful embellished and beaded detailing. Set for release in March and April, this off-the-rack collection will offer brides a fantastic array of wedding day gown looks.”
How is it different to previous collections?
“There is a good mix of soft floaty gowns and more dramatic, structured gowns, to suit the needs of different women. However, in keeping with our style, the focus remains on an exceptional fit and offering our brides a high quality gown that is stylish and trend conscious.”
Tell us about your Australian stores. How are they going?
“Really well, actually – we seem to have a very strong following of brides in Australia, which we are so grateful for. It helps that the KWH team – from the fantastic stylists in my boutiques, to the workroom and our marvellous fitters – are such a great team! It is from our Australian base that the opportunity has come to expand internationally {with a store opening in New York}, so we are very grateful for all of our wonderful Australian brides who have ordered their wedding gowns with us.”
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane… Do the Brides differ in their dress style?
“Yes, we certainly notice that there are certain trends in each state. The brides in Melbourne seem to be a little more daring, they are the brides that will buy the more fashion forward designs, or get creative with putting the skirt of one gown with the bodice of another and changing fabrics.
Sydney brides tend to be a little more classic and quite glamorous. Ball gowns are very popular, and a lot of Sydney brides love our embellished gowns.
Brisbane generally has a slightly more relaxed style – it is classic, and while they still order ball gown styles, they tend to have less embellishments and more laces.
All of this is not to say that only Melbourne brides are adventurous or that all Brisbane brides like a relaxed gown – every bride has their own individual style – but we definitely see a lean towards a certain aesthetic in each state.”
Tell us about your New York store opening…
“It is a very exciting time! It’s been a dream of mine for quite a while and now it’s a reality. I had always been drawn to New York – the big city. I went there a few years ago and it was everything I had imagined and more. I absolutely loved it and I knew I had to open a KAREN WILLIS HOLMES flagship boutique over there – I was in my element.
I did two bridal trade shows in 2013 in New York and had a really great reaction from the US market. I picked up a number of US stockists and then I decided to start looking for a retail space for my own boutique. Everything since then has happened so quickly! I’m not sure I have even completely processed what has happened yet – one minute I was looking at retail spaces and chandeliers and now suddenly the store is open and we have our first gown order from a New York bride!
Are there plans to launch in other countries?
“I need to recover a little from New York first! I am visiting London for the White Gallery (a bridal trade show in April), and a flagship boutique in London has also always been something I imagined for the future, so we shall see…”
You have three ranges – Bespoke, KWH by KAREN WILLIS HOLMES and Couture – how are they different?
Bespoke…
“Our most popular range is Bespoke. Bespoke gowns are made-to-order, which is not the same as made-to-measure. It just means that each gown is literally made-to-order and we can make a lot of changes to the basic gown if required. There are sample gowns at our boutiques for brides to try on. The gowns are all manufactured at our Sydney workroom, by our wonderful team, and each gown is individually ‘made with love’. The gowns are hand crafted couture quality, fit and sophistication, but with the ease and price of a ready to wear wedding dress.” Price range: $2099 to $5989.
KWH by KAREN WILLIS HOLMES…
“The KWH by KAREN WILLIS HOLMES range is off-the-rack, and can be purchased like normal fashion clothes in that they come in standard sizes and are not made-to-order. They are designed by me and hand-beaded in India by some of the best hand beading experts in the world.” Price range: $1889 to $2449.
Couture…
“I first started with Couture in Sydney in 2000, before I started making Ready-to-Wear wedding gowns. Couture is completely made to measure and takes five fittings, starting with a calico toile. You can have any design that I and the bride design together and depending on what design you decide on, the cost of a Couture gown ranges.” Price range: $7,000 to $15,000.
How is KWH different to other Bridal designers?
“All of our Bespoke gowns are made in Australia at our Head Quarters, so we have a quick lead time. Although we do prefer our brides order their gowns six to eight months in advance, we are able to make them in a much shorter time frame, down to weeks if needed. We have had some very quick orders, where brides have come to us having had a disaster with a previous gown (not from us!) and we have been able to make a gown in under a month, including fittings.
Another point of difference is that because the Bespoke gowns are made-to-order, brides are able to make certain changes (within reason). For example, they might like the bodice of one gown but the skirt of another, and in most cases you can do that and create your own individual wedding gown. Or sometimes brides might like one design but the fabric of another dress, so if it is something that we think would work, then the bride can make that change.
The Ready-to-Wear range, KWH by KAREN WILLIS HOLMES, is something new to the bridal industry. The gowns are so glamorous with their beads and embellishments but the price point is very affordable. They still focus on exceptional fit and are a great alternative for the modern bride.