We’ve told you before some of the worst nightmares designers and brides face when it comes to the gown. While those instances may seem extreme already, sometimes bigger problems in designer-bride relationships start out small—like not seeing eye to eye when it comes to how the gown should look like.
Should designers step in and change up a client’s design? Or should they follow what the clients want to avoid arguments? Is there a middle ground between designers and brides? To get some insight and tips on addressing this matter, we asked bridal and evening wear designer Hannah Kong during the launch of her self-titled debut collection yesterday.
#1 Both parties should work together
It is important to note that every bride have different tastes and styles in mind. And sometimes, when designers give their suggestions, disagreements may arise. According to Hannah, the best way to avoid this is to “as much as possible, work with the clients and compromise on what she wants and what I think is best also.” She adds that clients should also be open to consider the designer’s ideas for their gowns.
#2 Making options
In relation to the previous one, Hannah also provides options that’s sometimes different from her clients’ suggestions. “[I try to] do it to their liking as long as they’re comfortable with their dress,” she says. “If you don’t like it, I’ll give you another option. If you still don’t, I’ll redo the whole thing.” She adds that gown options can possibly set a compromise between designer and client. “I think it’s when they’re wearing the design I’ve made [and] actually see it is where they change their mind,” she says.
#3 Being rushed
Time is probably a designer’s worst enemy, especially if clients want it to be done ASAP. Hannah’s specialty involves bead work and embroideries, which is not easy to do in a short amount of time. She admits that sometimes she’s not able to meet deadlines, especially when numerous orders come in. This is also a reminder for clients to consider the timeframe between designing and creating their gowns to the actual wedding date.
#4 Dealing with unflattering colors
Hannah admits that she has come across clients who’ve wanted really loud colors that are not that pleasing to the eyes. “I also make colored gowns, but not so loud like a red dress with gold beads,” she says. In this case, she tries to (hopefully) convince her clients to tone it down a bit and suggests palettes that look better. “But I still have to work with what they think is nice. So it’s a dialog with them,” she tells us.
#5 Not losing a designer’s signature
Sometimes clients will ask for designs that doesn’t match a designer’s aesthetic. In Hannah’s case, asking for a minimalist gown. Although she’s made quite a few ones, she says that she still adds a touch of embroiders or maybe a ruffle at the back of the gown. “As much as possible, I still want to put my signature on the designs so that it’s still unique from others,” she says.
Photo courtesy of Pix Republik
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