Well known for her millinery, Natalie Chan has always had a love affair with all things pink and girly, and her latest Couture Bridal Collection is just that.
Entitled Portrait of a Lady, Chan recently launched the collection with a breakfast brunch at Auckland’s Sofitel Hotel to selected media and clients.
Drawing inspiration from Renaissance paintings, aristocratic families and a remembrance of a treasured trip to the Louvre, the collection is an exploration of old-world opulence in modern-day times.
Ivory, butterscotch and soft rose were the key colour trends for the collection and were in line with the international bridal runways showcased recently, something that Chan was absolute about as her customers are very international in taste.
The collection certainly harked back to a bygone era, not only in its soft colour palette, but also in its attention to detail. Each gown was hand-beaded with cut lace flowers, pearls and sequins which recalled the great robes of the Renaissance-era paintings of Botticelli and Raphaël. However, there was also a lightness to them, as well as soft gossamer silk chiffons and tulle, used extensively in the collection.
There was everything from straight column gowns in Guipure lace and silk satins through to elegant sweeping ball gown styles with layered petal-shape hemlines or hand-pleated tulle skirts, which recalled the early works of Lanvin and Worth. The focus was definitely on the back for this season, as most of the gowns featured keyhole details and button-back detailing, or a plunging deep V at the back, showcasing the beauty of the neck. Pretty bow detailing along with scalloped edged Chantilly lace and embroidery certainly added to the allure.
This wasn’t just the launch of her first couture bridal collection, but also her Couture Bridal Millinery range. The gowns were all matched perfectly with headpieces that were created in-house by Chan and her team in her Parnell atelier.
Guipure lace twisted into bows, pearls and tulle were beaded into headbands tied with gold ribbons, and the pièce de résistance was the gold crown, each one matched with a beautiful veil. This was perfect for the modern princess bride.
The collection is available now at www.nataliechan.co.nz.—Sopheak Seng, Fashion and Beauty Editor
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