MORE WEDDING ATTIRE
Winnie Couture - In-depth with designer Winnie Lee
Affordably chic gowns make Winnie Couture designs the popular choice by many brides.
With a degree in design; several years of industry experience and a father-in-law with a wedding gown manufacturing company in China, Winnie Lee, followed her dream and started Winnie Couture. Being young in the industry, Winnie’s wedding gown collections reflect her willingness to be a little more innovative and bold in their statement.
In 2006, with the trend for destination weddings on the rise, Winnie unveiled her Destination Wedding Collection. This bridal gown assemblage is created in 100% silk fabric and is made to be lightweight, with simple silhouettes. "It has a lightweight feel and is fabulous for the beach or an outdoor wedding" say Winnie.
For the more traditional bride, Winnie continually creates for her established Couture Bridal Collection which includes her exquisite ball gowns.
Every Winnie Couture gown is made by Winnie Lee, with the highest quality workmanship and detailing. Winnie Lee also designs custom veils to complement her bridal gowns. As much as Winnie loves to personalize the bride’s gown, custom work can only be done by Winnie Lee at her flagship store; or stores located in the Houston area. Winnie Couture designs, however, can be found at more than 300 of the most exclusive retailers in North America and Europe including England.
My interview with Winnie Lee:
Q. Tell me a little bit about your background – Where did you grow up? What inspired your interest in fashion?
A. I was born and raised in Hong Kong and came to the US when I was 15 years old. As a child, I was very inspired by my mother, who loves to make dresses for me and herself, I loved reading her 70’s & 80’s fashion magazines, and enjoyed redesigning and tailored my own clothes.
Q. When did you get started designing wedding gowns?
A. I started creating wedding gowns in 1999.
Q. What inspiration do you use to design these beautiful gowns?
A. I love to combine the cut of modern Hollywood glamour with a sense of vintage romance.
Q. What are your favourite fabrics to work with?
A. Silky faced satin, silk charmeuse.
Q. What type of women would wear your dresses?
A. Stylish brides who want to feel glamorous and sexy with a sense of modern Victorian.
Q. What recommendations do you have for a bride picking a dress for their wedding day?
A. Open yourself to different styles and silhouettes. Pick a gown that would best fit your body type and personality.
Q. What is the time frame a bride should allow when ordering a gown?
A. 8-12 months before the wedding. Since each gown is tailored made for each individual bride, it normally takes 4-6 months for a gown to finish. You also need another month or two for alteration, you want to have a perfectly fitted gown at least a month before the wedding.
Q. Destination wedding are very popular right now. Are there any tips you would give to a bride in picking a bridal gown she will be traveling with?
A. We have a collection in which we just specialize in destination styles. These gowns are designed to feel light and comfortable, made with the most luxurious silk fabrics. The silhouettes are usually more simple yet feminine. I love to accent these gowns with crystals beadwork and antique silver embroidery to give them a touch of class and glamour.
Q. Accessories and shoes are so important for the finishing touches to every bride's look. With this in mind, do you have any suggestions as to what you would recommend for the Winnie Couture line of bridal gowns?
A. A pair of simple pearls or rhinestone petite drop earrings would be great with our bridal collection. If you are going for a more dramatic look, an antique necklace can be added. For destination wedding, you can go with a pair of dangle or even chandelier earrings and some small crystal pins in the hair.
For shoes, they don’t have to be white or ivory. Since most of the beadwork and embroidery on our dresses are in metallic silver. A pair of silver sandal embellished with a waterfall of rhinestones would looks great with our collection, and you can wear those shoes again for other occasions.
Q. Can you tell us about your 2008 wedding gown collection – what inspired you and how has it changed from last season? What are the new trends affecting the market and are there any changes in the way fabrics are being used in your collection?
A. This season, our collection is all about modern silhouette with vintage elegance. Fitted A-line and trumpet skirts are a great hit this season. We also offered a wide variety of neckline this year. From twisted sweetheart, ruffled bodice, to keyhole back, the trend is to step away from the regular strapless boundary.
Colleen Oreskovic
Stylist/Fashion Contributor
[email protected]
The Ring Bearer.ca
Winnie Couture Spring 2008 Bridesmaid Collection:
BLOSSOM Style 5142
TRISTAN Style 5143
YVETTE Style 5144
PAYGE Style 5145
SHANDI Style 5146
LANIE Style 5147
REESE Style 5148
SUZETTE Style 5149
CALLIE Style 5150
GABBIE Style 5151
Winnie Couture Spring 2008 Destination Collection:
KIERSTEN Style 2143
DARIA Style 2144
RICHELLE Style 2145
VIENNA Style 2147
LEELAH Style 2149
BENYTA Style 2150
SELMAH Style 2151
KAYLEIGH Style 2153
NORALIE Style 2156
ZABRINA Style 2157
MILENNA Style 2158
CARMEN Style 2159
BREELEIGH Style 2160
DESTINY Style 2161
SABRINNA Style 2162
URIELLA Style 2163
BAYLYNN Style 2164
SHARONA Style 2165
CIERRA Style 2166
AUDRINA Style 2167
DANICA Style 2168
ZOLAH Style 2169
MARLEIGH Style 2170
SELINNA Style 2171
SHAYLA Style 2172
FAWNE Style 2173
JAZELLE Style 2174
BECKHA Style 2175
VIVIKAH Style 2176
VERONIQUE Style 2177
NANETTE Style 2178
ZEENAH Style 2179
MEADOW Style 2180
SKYLAR Style 2181
Winnie Couture Spring 2008 Bridal Collection:
CLAUDETTE Style 8289
GEORGIANNA Style 8290
ERIANTHE Style 8291
VALENCIA Style 8292
JENIBELLE Style 8293
KIMMELA Style 8294
ADRIANNA Style 8295
MORISSA Style 8296
RANDILYN Style 8297
LAKASHA Style 8298
CHRISTABELLE Style 8299
GENAVIEVE Style 8300
ANASTASIA Style 8301
QUINTESSA Style 8302
JACINDAH Style 8303
BATHESBA Style 8304
PHILOMENA Style 8305
HERMETTAH Style 8306
EDALENE Style 8307
DESDEMONA Style 8308
JANESSA Style 8309
ZANDELEIGH Style 8310
VIDONIA Style 8311
ADDISYN Style 8312
LYSANDRA Style 8313
DONATELLA Style 8314
TALLULAH Style 8315
NARISSARA Style 8316
FRANCESCA Style 8317
BENADETTA Style 8318
MCKAYLAH Style 8319
CAMRYN Style 8320J
ZURII Style 8321J
