Turning Sixteen!
While turning sixteen has got to be at the stage of having "more fun, but little responsibilities", we have walked a journey and are greatly humbled by the little milestones we've had achieved (for those who have been following us, thank you!). Today, as a budding "teenager", we would like to share with you some of the 16 iconic designs we've done over the years. Some may have been forgotten, some designs so evergreen that you'll wonder - Wait,what? you mean you guys started this?
1. The Humble Pheonix
While most brides dream of an all white wedding gown, Amanda took it a step further and played with colours! Did we also mention she is the first designer locally to weave colours onto wedding gowns? Check out the fusion of a classic mandarin collar, with a modified A-line dress, befitting for a modest and modern lady indeed.
2. Red + white
The iconic colour combination.
And we're not talking about our national colour here. Not all of you may know, the classic combination of red (an auspicious colour for Chinese), and white (classic colour for wedding gowns) that followed suit, started from this quilted cheongsam with red chantilly details Amanda created back in her early days. The design is so classic, that we pulled it out again for our recent styled shoot here, and it still looked like it fitted in into today's context!
3. Greens and prints
When "safe" colours such red or pink were widely favored, Amanda boldly recommended a striking combination of forest and pear green, and not forgetting the leave motifs on this fabric (talk about a botanical themed wedding today!). This colour choice was such a hit, that it opened new channels for brides looking for "out of the norm" colours as their evening wear.
4. The Soft Ruffles
The one design that Amanda did so many versions of it, that she admitted she did grow a little "scared" when brides wanted it after that. The right amount and proportion of soft textures (ruffles) that Amanda put into every bride was so immaculate, that it won the hearts of many hopeless romantics.
5. The Bold One
Fans of Audrey Hepburn would have been familiar with the stunning embroidered gown she wore in the movie "Sabrina". Greatly awed and inspired by the dress in the movie, Amanda's version of the gown did open a path for bolder designs and colour combinations. Prior to this, no one could picture how stunning a hand drawn motif (not to forget it's hand embroidered too!) could have look on a gown, much less for their own wedding. Forget the taboo (black is considered inauspicious to the Chinese), the black and white combination has since, and still is, the icon of an Amanda Lee design.
6. Fluidity and Strength
What was seen deemed as a fairly "dull" colour turned out to be one of Amanda's favourite to work with. The colour, brown, gives a bold hue to the overall design, and when layered with softer textures, give an clever juxtaposition of fluidity and strength.
7. Your Royal Highness
After red and black, magenta was the next widely sought- after colour back in mid 2000s. Since the launch of the previous styles, most brides that came straight to Amanda loved her direction for design. Magenta was a hit because of its association to bold, regal, and romance.
8. A Twist to the norm
In 2007, Amanda expanded and opened her second boutique in the heart of the city. This also took a slight shift in direction, as brides began exploring a more simplistic, but detailed design as shown in the ad campaign here. This campaign was widely received for its bold use of details; a combination of design elements, yet portraying a rather clean and elegant look at the same time.
9. Hail to the Queen!
As compared to her choice of colours in the early 2000s, these pieces here spoke a great deal of sweet, sultry, and dramatic all at once. Brides love the bit of drama in the designs, great to bring out their inner personality, yet not losing the poise of a Queen.
10. East X West
This contemporary gown that spoke boldly of rich hand drawn embroidery, delicate lace appliqués, and dramatic peacock motifs. One of our most well loved " East meets West" designed remained one of Amanda's iconic design till today.
11. Regal hues
Turning to more romantic hues like the Tiffany blue and daffodil yellow, Amanda embraced beauty in all forms; a blooming flower, a branching vine. Think dignified, sophistication, regal, and romantic.
12. The Bold Princess
Toga, crystals embellishments, layers, textures etc etc... following this campaign, brides became more receptive of asymmetrical details, and began exploring interesting design elements. The classic ballgown also took a twist here. There’s just enough “oomph” in the design that somehow still gives a youthful and elegant look, which worked very well for our brides.
13. The Classic Evolves
Following raved reviews of embroidered and lace contrast details in the early 2000, Amanda took a turn and modernise the classic in 2010. Urbanisation, sophistication... now brides prefer to shy away from a rather sweet- natured look, and seek a change in a typical “bridal look”, with a touch of glamour and style.
This also includes having artistic textures (think rope twisting/ twines/ and pleated materials) does align great with an avant- garde or edgy bride. Tone on tone textures, one of our evergreen style that we’ve weaved into many of our brides’ designs today.
14. Little Nonya
Always loving the vibrance and opulence in a Peranakan culture, this range took inspiration and colours from beauty of the culture, modernised into a wearable separate. We're seeing lots of colours, textures, hand weaved into these pieces... Well loved by our brides who love that inject of culture and sassiness into their dresses!
15. The artist
We just can’t shy away from detail works can we? Cut- outs and hand embroidery that gives a bold artistic look to the style. Amanda’s latest iconic design gives nod to what we perceive as “wearable art” as some of you may have seen in our styled shoot here.
Photo courtesy of AndroidsinBoots
16. Hana
Photo courtesy of Daniel Beh
When "Hana" was launched in 2016, brides were drawn to the delicate details and over the sheer bodice. It was so feminine, captivating, and charming that it won the hearts of many of our brides.
Playing with colours were still a thing we did, but we brought it down to a much gentle, softer hue.
Till today, many of our brides still draw inspiration from this collection to create the gown of their dreams.
To single out 16 iconic designs from what we've created over the years is no small feat. Branching from one Resident Designer (Amanda) in 2002, till three designers we have today, each piece we have created is touched by our utmost love for beauty.
Throughout the years, we have many people to thank for their support over the years. Their works listed above (not in any particular oder), special thanks to:
Eric Er (Attitude), Sophia Chia, Gin Tan, Joanne Low, Kuang (39 East Photography), Ching Lee, Jyue Huey and Bobbie (The Make Up Room), Ashley (hair styling), Kin Leong, Steve Thio, Female Brides, Vernon (Stylist), Vik Lim (Stylist), Daniel Beh, AndroidsinBoots, Flour, Marie Genevieve Soh...
+ many that we will love to extend our thanks to individually, but the list will have to go on...and on... for those who have been there for us, you guys know who you are, we love you all.
You'll be seeing a lot more of what we have in store for you through 2018 as we celebrate our Sweet Sixteen!
Stay tuned!
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