WINterview / The Bridal Collective
Following a brilliant visit by WIN to The Bridal Collective in Swansea, south Wales in the middle of July, we are delighted to publish mini interviews that we conducted with the designer names behind the three key brands in The Bridal Collective family.
WIN's Pippa Florijn talks to Marketing Manager for UK & Europe, Jessica Dattero about The Bridal Collective family of labels
Having spent some time getting up close and personal with the different brands and hearing about their focus and distinctive style, we are keen to hear more from the labels’ creators – Kan Chun Lin (aka KC) for Enzoani (Enzoani, Love, Blue) and new couture label PEN.LIV and Mark and Chris Russell for ÉLYSÉE Édition, Étoile and ÉLYSÉE Atelier.
First up, KC - designer and creator of Enzoani and PEN.LIV
The design team behind Enzoani and new label PEN.LIV is led by the award-winning master designer and Creative Director Kang Chun Lin, a graduate of the London College of Fashion, who brings an avant-garde inspiration to a timeless design aesthetic. Kang Chun has been designing bridal gowns for nearly 20 years, and he leads a team of designers who continuously strive to improve and expand on their prior work and accomplishments. We find out a little from KC himself...
What does your bride look like?
The Enzoani Bride is chic and classy. Sophisticated yet playful. Effortlessly elegant, with a fashion-forward eye for luxurious, couture style. The Enzoani bride encompasses all of these ideals while also maintaining strength and confidence in her own unique personality and tastes. In her choice of wedding dress, the Enzoani bride embodies elegance, romance, and loveliness, whether she gravitates toward the sweet simplicity of our Love collection, the captivating allure of our Blue by Enzoani collection, or the show-stopping gorgeousness of our Enzoani collection.
The PEN·LIV bride easily commands attention in every room, simply by being her authentic and unapologetic self. With a genuine sweetness underlying her edge, the PEN·LIV bride stands out without effort -- a true example of everlasting elegance and grace infused with modern, sexy appeal. PEN·LIV brides appreciate the beauty of traditional design elements while recognising that living and dressing for today is about embracing the new and the daring. The PEN·LIV bride is a singular individual who lives in the moment -- and will never be forgotten.
Tell us about your latest collection? This year’s collections are all about sophistication, uniqueness, and achieving exceptionally high quality and value for brides. I think the true merit of the design is within the fit – creating a fit like no other before curating the perfect lace placement for a fine finish.
Which boutiques stock you in the UK? We are lucky to work with a wonderful network of retail partners across the UK. Brides can easily search for a premium authorised retailer near them on Enzoani.com and Penliv.com.
What makes a good bridal boutique great?
There are so many things that make a good bridal boutique great, and every boutique has its own personality. If I had to choose one thing... A great bridal boutique is built from an amazing team of stylists who know their gowns inside out, putting their brides’ vision together and pulling the perfect gown for each bride.
What makes you unique and successful – what is your USP? The ability to combine traditional and modern design, sex appeal, superior fit, and an uncompromising focus on quality of construction positions Enzoani as a forward-thinking couture house for the modern bride.
PEN·LIV is unique as a new collection for brides looking for modern, couture gowns with a youthful, edgy and sexy vibe. As with all of our collections, a great deal of emphasis is placed on craftsmanship, fit, and affordability.
What’s your favourite gown? TAMARA has been given the ‘Designer’s Choice’ badge for 2024, and it’s not hard to see why. This is a modern upgraded version of a classic Enzoani signature style. The combination of that milky stretch georgette skirt and sheer corset bodice adorned with multi-floral motifs creates a dimension that is quintessentially Enzoani.
It is so hard to choose but, my choice for PEN·LIV has to be BLOSSOM. A study in romance with sexy edge thanks to a fitted, sheer, lingerie-styled bodice! We are also so excited that BLOSSOM is not just a ‘Designer’s Choice’ for 2024 but also 'Brides’ Choice' as our brides have been loving BLOSSOM on social media!
And over to Mark and Chris Russell – designers of ÉLYSÉE
Christopher Russell and Mark Russell joined the company as Artistic Directors of the ÉLYSÉE division in February 2020. They are well known for their exceptional ability to create sumptuous and opulent gowns reminiscent of the golden age of European design. They spend several months in Paris each year drawing inspiration from the city’s rich history of decorative arts and design as well as the latest trends in modern fashion.
What does your bride look like?
The ÉLYSÉE bride is drawn to simply elegant, dramatically refined design that speaks to her natural beauty and brilliance. An unparalleled eye for exquisite couture detailing makes the ÉLYSÉE bride exceptional when it comes to personal style. The ÉLYSÉE bride embraces the extravagant and admires all that is timelessly chic.
Which boutiques stock you in the UK?
We are lucky to work with a wonderful network of retail partners across the UK. Brides can easily search for a premium authorised retailer near them on ÉLYSÉEBridal.com.
What makes you unique and successful – what is your USP?
We are driven to create sumptuous and opulent gowns reminiscent of the golden age of European design. We have over 15 years of experience at some of the world’s leading bridal and evening wear houses, creating a unique and influential design aesthetic that has resonated with brides worldwide. We love drawing inspiration from the rich history of Paris and the latest trends in modern fashion.
Tell us about your latest collection?
Overall, the collections for 2024 have an even more elevated aesthetic than previous seasons. This means more fashion-forward styles that take their artistic cues from supremely luxurious, couture collections while presenting them in a more accessible and relatable design and price point. This season, ÉLYSÉE has more sophisticated patterns, richer fabric, layering of new fabrics, and exquisite finishing details. We hope you all enjoy ÉLYSÉE 2024!
What’s your favourite gown?
This season we are loving GLORIANA – _a favourite ÉLYSÉE silhouette, but this year, updated with an elegant draped front bodice and modern plunging sweetheart neckline. This gown is a must-have! But of course we couldn’t pick just one! GUINEVERE x Édition from the ÉLYSÉE Édition collection is the perfect silhouette for brides looking for a more understated A-line wedding dress. She’s finished with a sexy high slit peeking out underneath a gorgeous Chantilly lace and tulle overlay, and also features customised ÉLYSÉE Édition tailoring and construction, perfectly made to hug in all the right places.
The Bridal Collective continues to surprise and delight us with its collections, fashion-forward approach, eclectic mix of designs and collections, and its fabulous facility in lovely Swansea. There’s much more to come for 2024 and beyond, and we are in for the WIN!
Jessica Dattero talks about trends for 2024 and how Blue by Enzoani hits the spot with its new collection
We will be sharing the beautiful NEW 2024 collections over the coming weeks, so stay tuned to see what we think are their best designs yet!
Follow @thebridalcollective to find out more about the bridal-collective.com and the labels in the family, and for more on each of the brands its @elyseebridaldesign @enzoani @penlivbridal
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