A Dress to
Natalie & Justin | celebrations
A Dress to
Impress When fashionista Natalie Chan married her sweetheart, Justin Kwok, her gown was as special as the couple’s love for each other ost brides have some idea of their dream dress. But, as co-founder of Hong Kong fashion label Hanalie, Natalie Chan took it one step further by designing her own extraordinary creation of bespoke lace, painstakingly tailored for the most perfect fit. “It may not be the most stunning gown to anyone else but, for me, it is the most meaningful and beautiful dress,” says Natalie, who spent three months trying on gowns and scouring the internet to find exactly what she wanted. “I started off by deciding what shape I wanted, and then I went to a tailor I trusted with some reference pictures.” Natalie and her tailor then began sourcing the perfect fine French lace. The tailor patched, cut and embellished each piece of the delicate fabric to make the dress. “Once the basics were done, I stood for two hours at a time and, piece by piece, we patched the lace onto my body to get the most flattering shape and pattern,” says Natalie. “Finally, we added embellishments to give a textured finish to the dress.”
celebrations | Natalie & Justin
The result is one of a kind. Ivory in colour, it’s a heart-shaped tube cut with an A-line bottom. Three further bespoke gowns were created for Natalie to celebrate her nuptials, along with a Monique Lhuillier dress she wore for photographs. For the reception, Natalie wore two Moiselle gowns designed by the label’s creative director, Harris Chan. “He’s a very close friend of mine,” says Natalie. “As you can probably tell by now, I’m a big fan of lace and embellishments, so the dresses had both of these components.” For her first-dance outfit, Natalie had a particular vision in mind for Hong Kong designer Kev Yiu. “Kev knows me well and I told him I wanted to glow beneath the light,” she says. “When I danced, there were more than 1,000 Swarovski crystals on my body. I sure did glisten!” Natalie has been the light in Justin’s life since they met in 2006. They were introduced at a friend’s party on Christmas Eve in 2006. “My first impression of him was that he looked dependable—a quality I look for in men. Of course, he was quite handsome, too,” says Natalie with
“Don’t stress too much; try to enjoy the process” —Natalie & Justin—
Natalie & Justin January 10–11, 2015 The Repulse Bay (ceremony) and Grand Hyatt Hong Kong (reception) When
Where
celebrations | Natalie & Justin
Wedding details Bride’s outfits Self-designed gown (ceremony); Monique Lhuillier Candy gown (photographs); pink Moiselle gown (lunch); red Moiselle gown (banquet); Kev Yiu Couture gown (first dance); Valentino and Christian Louboutin shoes Groom’s outfits Lanvin and Saint Laurent tuxedos Make-up and hair Sharon Lam and Vince Pang at Il Colpo, Tsim Sha Tsui Wedding planner White Bridal Photographer KC Photography decorations Wedding Garden Honeymoon Qualia resort in Queensland, Australia; Europe (to be taken this summer)
a laugh. The couple dated for five years before formalising the relationship with an engagement, when Justin proposed in Natalie’s garden with a custom-made light box asking the question “Marry Me?” The significance of the proposal in the garden formed the theme for their marriage ceremony, which was held at The Repulse Bay hotel. “We wanted an outdoor wedding with grass,” says Natalie, who decided upon a floral garden party for the ceremony, with an enchanted forest theme for the reception the next day at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. “I was a bit nervous the night before but, at the same time, very excited,” recalls Natalie. “Surprisingly, I was able to go to bed at 10.30pm—and I slept very well.” With eight bridesmaids and groomsmen, Natalie and Justin’s two-day celebration was a grand affair and the realisation of their dreams. “I wish I could relive it to absorb every moment,” she says. “At the time, everything was overwhelming. If only I could go back and enjoy it all over again!”
A Dress to
Impress When fashionista Natalie Chan married her sweetheart, Justin Kwok, her gown was as special as the couple’s love for each other ost brides have some idea of their dream dress. But, as co-founder of Hong Kong fashion label Hanalie, Natalie Chan took it one step further by designing her own extraordinary creation of bespoke lace, painstakingly tailored for the most perfect fit. “It may not be the most stunning gown to anyone else but, for me, it is the most meaningful and beautiful dress,” says Natalie, who spent three months trying on gowns and scouring the internet to find exactly what she wanted. “I started off by deciding what shape I wanted, and then I went to a tailor I trusted with some reference pictures.” Natalie and her tailor then began sourcing the perfect fine French lace. The tailor patched, cut and embellished each piece of the delicate fabric to make the dress. “Once the basics were done, I stood for two hours at a time and, piece by piece, we patched the lace onto my body to get the most flattering shape and pattern,” says Natalie. “Finally, we added embellishments to give a textured finish to the dress.”
celebrations | Natalie & Justin
The result is one of a kind. Ivory in colour, it’s a heart-shaped tube cut with an A-line bottom. Three further bespoke gowns were created for Natalie to celebrate her nuptials, along with a Monique Lhuillier dress she wore for photographs. For the reception, Natalie wore two Moiselle gowns designed by the label’s creative director, Harris Chan. “He’s a very close friend of mine,” says Natalie. “As you can probably tell by now, I’m a big fan of lace and embellishments, so the dresses had both of these components.” For her first-dance outfit, Natalie had a particular vision in mind for Hong Kong designer Kev Yiu. “Kev knows me well and I told him I wanted to glow beneath the light,” she says. “When I danced, there were more than 1,000 Swarovski crystals on my body. I sure did glisten!” Natalie has been the light in Justin’s life since they met in 2006. They were introduced at a friend’s party on Christmas Eve in 2006. “My first impression of him was that he looked dependable—a quality I look for in men. Of course, he was quite handsome, too,” says Natalie with
“Don’t stress too much; try to enjoy the process” —Natalie & Justin—
Natalie & Justin January 10–11, 2015 The Repulse Bay (ceremony) and Grand Hyatt Hong Kong (reception) When
Where
celebrations | Natalie & Justin
Wedding details Bride’s outfits Self-designed gown (ceremony); Monique Lhuillier Candy gown (photographs); pink Moiselle gown (lunch); red Moiselle gown (banquet); Kev Yiu Couture gown (first dance); Valentino and Christian Louboutin shoes Groom’s outfits Lanvin and Saint Laurent tuxedos Make-up and hair Sharon Lam and Vince Pang at Il Colpo, Tsim Sha Tsui Wedding planner White Bridal Photographer KC Photography decorations Wedding Garden Honeymoon Qualia resort in Queensland, Australia; Europe (to be taken this summer)
a laugh. The couple dated for five years before formalising the relationship with an engagement, when Justin proposed in Natalie’s garden with a custom-made light box asking the question “Marry Me?” The significance of the proposal in the garden formed the theme for their marriage ceremony, which was held at The Repulse Bay hotel. “We wanted an outdoor wedding with grass,” says Natalie, who decided upon a floral garden party for the ceremony, with an enchanted forest theme for the reception the next day at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. “I was a bit nervous the night before but, at the same time, very excited,” recalls Natalie. “Surprisingly, I was able to go to bed at 10.30pm—and I slept very well.” With eight bridesmaids and groomsmen, Natalie and Justin’s two-day celebration was a grand affair and the realisation of their dreams. “I wish I could relive it to absorb every moment,” she says. “At the time, everything was overwhelming. If only I could go back and enjoy it all over again!”
