Design Divas
Filed under Fashion, Wedding DressesDreamweavers for Bay Area Brides
MOVE OVER, MILAN…Back off, Big Apple…when it comes to dressing a bride for her spotlight moment, the San Francisco Bay Area takes a fashion front seat. San Franciscans have always marched to a different drum, and for that all-important walk down the aisle a Bay Area bride needn’t leave town to demonstrate her originality and style savvy. Custom couture and the pampering of internationally recognized fashionistas are just a BART or MUNI ride away.
In these next few pages you’ll meet a handful of our local treasures: design divas blessed with a veritable magic style wand—your very own fashion fairy godmothers—who are sure to make you the belle of your most-important ball.
JinWang
In The Beginning: As a young girl, Jin learned to sew and construct patterns; by the time she was in high school, she was making dresses for her sisters. Drawn to the tradition of Old World ateliers, Jin spent 20 years in the fashion biz mastering the craft of expert tailoring and couture design. She started her own business in 1996.
Why Bridal? “A bridal gown elevates a woman’s elegance. I am passionate about creating a piece of art that a woman will remember for a lifetime. Becoming part of her personal history is extremely rewarding.”
Fashion Inspirations: Vintage gowns from the ’30s to ’60s; Dior, Chanel & Valentino. Current fave—Richard Tyler.
Style Brief: Sumptuous, graceful, timeless.
Signature Look: Memorable rear views with an element of drama and surprise. “I like to balance the clean, sensual lines of my gowns’ silhouettes with architectural draping that enhances the shape of a woman’s body.”
Characteristic Clientele: “Independent yet feminine women with their own sense of style. They prefer sophistication and classic simplicity to a lot of embellishments. They are looking for an exceptional shopping experience.”
Shop Scoop: Classical music plays softly in the background of this well-lit salon on a quiet street off of Union Square. Beautifully presented gowns are out on the floor (no garment bags!), fitting rooms are spacious, and the ambiance is stress-free. The consistent theme is quality, from the rich fabrics and detailed workmanship of the gowns, to the high level of customer service.
The Little Things: At the final fitting, the staff assists the bride in a formal dress rehearsal, and the bridesmaids are shown how to bustle the gown properly so all goes smoothly on the wedding day. “We also provide an emergency kit with stain cleaners and sewing kit.”
The Bottom Line: Custom couture starts at $3,000, and goes up depending on the embroidery. JinWang also offers complete redesign on existing gowns, or she can combine elements from different gowns into one unique creation.
One-on-one: “The customer’s vision and ideas are an essential part of my design process.”
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