Finding ‘The One’

Every bride’s quest for the perfect wedding dress is an emotional journey filled with anticipation and excitement. In this vein, we speak to three highly sought-after wedding designers who share their insights into creating a bride’s dream gown

AMAZAE

Amazae’s wedding dresses always exude a touch of romance paired with modern, sophisticated charm. Amar Madfie and Zeed Jameel established their label in 2014, specialising in custom womenswear pieces.

What is your design philosophy when it comes to creating bridal attire?

We always hold on to these three keywords that define our philosophy: feminine, ethereal and elegance. Each piece must embody these essences. We specialise in dartless, panelless designs that few can achieve, even in our solid traditional songket pieces. We have also introduced built-in corsets in our bespoke pieces to achieve a more hourglass figure, eliminating the need to wear a girdle anymore. Amazae maintains a balanced approach in our creations, offering a range from the classic traditional Malay wedding kurung and kebayas to voluminous and textured ballgowns. All our production, embroideries and tambour beading are done from scratch in our atelier—one of the qualities we take pride in.

Trends in bridal fashion can change rapidly. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends while maintaining a timeless quality in your designs?

Staying relevant in the industry poses the greatest challenge for all designers. Therefore, we have to keep our design ideas fresh and appealing to clients of all ages and sizes. We keep our social media platforms including Instagram, Tiktok, and our website updated with postings of our latest creations. Travelling abroad also provides us with new perspectives in fashion. Still, we never compromise on the workmanship and fit of our pieces. A dress that fits perfectly like a glove on the bride, and is wellconstructed, is never out of trend.

What is the most memorable bridal attire you’ve ever designed?

It was one lovely couple from Brunei, circa 2019. They loved and trusted our vision so much, that from just one attire that was supposed to be the engagement dress, became two extravagant pre-wedding dresses, the solemnisation dress, and the bride’s Berbedak attire. We even brought our entire glam team to Bangkok to do the pre-wedding video and photo shoot just for them. It was one of the sweetest experiences for us.

Some brides might not have a clear idea of what they want. How do you help them discover their style and preferences?

If the bride is still unsure of her vision, then we step in with our expertise. We advise her on what suits her figure, from the silhouette and colour to the material and embellishments. We even provide fabric swatches and wedding sample pieces with similar cuts and details to help her visualise better. Again,

DPL

DPL, short for Davis Paul Lister, aspires to be Malaysia’s Vera Wang. He founded his label in 2014 and has since built a reputation for his delicate handiwork and designing dreamy silhouettes.

What is your design philosophy when it comes to creating bridal attire?

I’ve always drawn inspiration from my clients’ true love stories and lifestyles, which led me to embark on my career as a wedding dress designer. My design aesthetic can be described as modern, clean, and flowy. Clients often appreciate my expertise in draping, which sets DPL apart. We have fans out there who value our intricate detailing and impeccable finishing.

Bridal fashion often involves a balance between tradition and innovation. How do you incorporate both elements into your designs?

Sometimes, we encounter clients who desire traditional wedding outfits, presenting us with the challenge of blending tradition with modernity. To achieve a harmonious balance in traditional pieces, it’s important for me to know the types of materials I work with. For example, when working with distinctive fabrics like songket tenun tangan, I maintain clean silhouettes and cuts. We can then enhance the songket’s beauty with delicate sulam kerawang and intricate hand beadwork to create focal points on the traditional pieces.

Some brides might not have a clear idea of what they want. How do you help them discover their style and preferences during design consultation?

Before our clients visit our boutique, we request that they do a bit of homework by bringing along some photos to show us. This helps us better understand their unique tastes and fashion sense. We believe that creating a beautiful look is a collaborative effort between the client and the designer.

When did you first realise that your brand was getting a lot of buzz?

In 2016, I noticed that my brand started to garner interest within the community. We started receiving more likes on Instagram and a growing number of inquiries through our DMS. Our Instagram followers also increased rapidly. Consequently, we received numerous orders, and thanks to this consistent growth, our team has expanded to handle multiple projects and responsibilities.

What is your next goal for your brand?

My next goal is to launch my own ready-to-wear line, making our pieces more accessible and expanding our fan base. I also want to inspire the younger generation by showing that the fashion industry isn’t just about art; it’s a thriving business, especially in the wedding dress sector.