Summer Stylin'

In this horrible weather we've been having lately but I've been very optimistic about the summer and sunshine so I thought i'd blog about your summer must-haves.

Last week I bought a couple of dresses online and having them arrive is exactly like Christmas, except you know exactly what you're going to get. Unfortunately I haven't been able to wear any of them due to the weather but that hasn't stopped me from buying more and coordinating outfits in my head- haha.

I've complied a list of things that you can build on that a perfect summer styles. Start with the basics and go from there!

The first of course is sunglasses, whether you're on the beach or you're just having a walk about. Sunglasses look great and they offer good protect from the sun so pick a pair that match your face shape.

Summer shoes used to consist of just flip flops and sandals but now there are Toms, Espadrilles, Jelly Sandals, or Grecian sandals so pick a pair that a ideal for your day. 

Summer dresses of course are ideal because they come in all shapes and sizes, prints and fabrics suited for where you are. Wear lighter breathable fabrics such as jersey or mixed fabrics to minimize the heat. Wear a maxi dress or sun dress for different occasions and choose some fun prints or bright colours to bring out your skin tone.

Love, Petra

Enquiries: +852 3741 0107 | info@kanchancouture.com

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Pretty in Pink

If there is one colour in the rainbow that suits everyone, I'd say it has to be pink. Whether you're skin tone is dark or light there is more than one shade that suits you.

The great thing about this colour is that it doesn't just stop with clothing, you can wear different lipstick shades, from light to dark or even hot pink if you're daring enough. But since summer is almost here, its time to break out your gorgeous floral prints, pretty pastels and flowy fabrics.

To be honest, I don't really wear pink, not because I don't think it suits me I just think its a bit too girly for my taste. I do wear pink when I can in moderate amounts, like lipstick or an accessory like a bag or scarf just to brighten my whole look but I'm not a fan of too much pink.

When it comes to style, its all about personal preference which is what makes your style unique. Kanch loves colour and certainly loves pink.

For those that love the accents:

If only touches of pink suit you then you might want to try subtle hints such as lipstick. There are so many shades out there you just have to pick the one that compliments your skin tone and the rest of your outfit. If you're wearing lots of bright colours already, you might want to stay away from a vibrant shade and go for something softer. 

For those that like to deck out:
If you do like a lot of pink make sure you do it moderately and it works with your entire outfit. You don't really want to wear neon pink with other neon colours unless you're traveling back to the 80s for a rave party. Wear some dark or dull colours but dress it up with a hot pink trench coat. You always want to balance out what you're wearing so it doesn't look over worked or over powering.

Check out some of our favourite pink pieces from our collections:

Email me for purchase inquires! Petra@Kanchancouture.com

And some of our favourite pink make up shades

Enquiries: +852 3741 0107 | info@kanchancouture.com

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Green with Envy

I wanted to do a post on colours since its been a while and of course, we're sort of known for our bright and eye catching palette.

Green is one of my favourite colours and the great thing about it is it works for every season, just change the tone from pastel for summer to forest or christmas green for autumn/winter.
It's also a colour that works well on all skin types but generally better on brunettes. The colour creates a beautiful backdrop for dark hair and brings out the colour of your eyes.

So I complied somethings that are eye catching, fun, flirty and feminine to suit your personal taste.

My favourite skirt has to be the Pencil skirt with detachable train, it's versatility is one reason why i find it appealing. Its form fitting shape makes it great for all sizes and its train is perfect if you're not 100% confident.
Close for 2nd place is our high waist Green Brocade Skirt, that can be worn with some high top kicks or classic ballet flats or heels. Kanch sourced a gorgeous fabric that is a silk brocade if you love subtle detail. Its also a great palette for you to build on with accessories, jewellery or some fun extravagant heels.

These are a pair of my favourite earrings from our gold collection adorned with gorgeous ombre green agate stones. One of our most extravagant pieces for a more out there personality. 

If you're a more of a classic gal, these are a perfect fit for you. Not extravagant but has the right amount of glamour and elegance. Remember stay true to your style! 

Love, Petra

Enquiries: +852 3741 0107 | info@kanchancouture.com

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Bridal Accessories

We've been getting a lot of calls recently about bridal appointments and we're so sorry to say that we're fully booked this year!
We've also dedicated a lot of our time to charity, and a lot of new projects and events we're planning but I've decided to do a little update on bridal accessories!

When we have beautiful brides come to us to get their dresses made towards the end of the process in the final stages, talk of accessories and jewellery usually follow as its getting closer to the date.
We usually say to keep in mind a few things...

One: Keep in mind your colour scheme for your entire wedding, if you're going with neutrals then stick to that palette, don't go for neon accessories, tone it down to match, not clash. You also have to consider your bridesmaids dresses and accessories.

Two: Tone it down, keep it elegant and classic. You dont want accessories and jewellery to distract on YOUR special day. If you have a complicated collar on your wedding dress dont wear a necklace, think about a headpiece and bracelet. *Don't wear too many rings, you don't want to divert the attention from the ring that means the most!

By Kanchan Couture

Contact at at buy@kanchancouture.com for purchase details!

Three: Be sensible about your shoes, keep in mind your location and duration of the wedding. If you're planning it on a beach wear some wedges to give you a better sense of gravity or some pretty sandals. If your wedding lasts hours, bring a change of shoes or wear some comfortable shoes like flats.

Jimmy Choo, unknown , Christian Louboutin, unknown


Four: Find your signature style for your wedding dress. Make sure on your big day that you are completely true to yourself in sense of style and comfort. If you're a vintage gal, work around that for your wedding, it will be easier to do your research for clothing and jewellery even display items! The style of your dress will determine the amount of accessories, if you're having a winter wedding and your dress is long sleeves, accessorize with a gorgeous embellished veil or waist belt.

Princess, Classic, Boho, Vintage
Kanchan Couture, Nicole Miller, Amanda Wakely, Nicole Miller 

Congratulations on your big day!

Love, Petra & Kanch

 Enquiries: +852 2117 1782 | info@kanchancouture.com

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Nostalgia

 I was looking through some of Kanch's old design images and decided to write a little about Kanch's first works and most extravagant.

I love Kanch's old designs and especially her pieces she created while she was at school because they didn't necessarily have to be wearable but were simply to showcase her abilities and design aesthetic,  which would later turn into more wearable but still fashionable (of course) clothing.

My favourite pieces are these few, in my opinion, where fashion meets art. The construction and printing are so intricate and not to mention all those layers!
Kanch loves using high quality or unusual material such as our bear hug shawl which is made of a wood blend silk.
The first piece is made of a thicker silk-crepe material so it holds the shape of the skirt and top really well and features one of Kanch's classic silk screen prints on the inside of the collar on top to give it that extra pop of contrasting colour.

The last two were pieces Kanch created at Uni and have a glamourous couture, vintage 40s feel to them which is very much Kanch's calling. The skirts for these are much like the ones in our office, layered on top of each other to create a fuller look. Typically in the 40s these were the best dresses and skirts to dance and jive in!
Through the years they've developed all the while keeping the essence of the 40s alive. Like Dior, they are keeping this classic style going but updating it and tweaking it every season.

I think one thing that Kanch and I have in common is our love for the classics, movies, clothes, and imagery which is what drew me to work with her in the first place.

Check out her past pieces below!!

Love, Petra

Enquiries: +852 2117 1782 | info@kanchancouture.com

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Photoshoot, Day Three- Models, models, models

Photoshoot, Day Three- Models, models, models!

Today was a blast; I can’t believe it’s already over.
We all met at our office at 8am to prep the models for hair and make-up. While they were getting their hair and makeup did, Kanch, Shivani and I packed up 20 items of clothing, and chose where our first location would be.

We decided to shoot mainly in the MTR stations around Hong Kong because each station had some really great coloured walls, and each station was a different colour.

We hired our lovely van guy for the day and our first stop was Heng Fa Chuen which was a red MTR station. Our gorgeous models got into their first outfits and we made our way into the station after being dropped off.

We had to rush and get our shots before the MTR guys kicked us out. Which they did, four times-hhaha. So we left the station and shot outside an apartment complex.
It was pretty intense keeping up with everything because we had to change the models jewellery and accessories nearly every 5 minutes. And trust me; we had A LOT of jewellery to shoot!

We then went to Shau Kei Wan MTR which was a beautiful royal blue/purple colour. Our models had already changed for their third look so we were right on schedule or even ahead of schedule! We then had to say goodbye to our blonde bombshell model Nic because she had another casting to go to but we couldn’t be happier with her shots : )

Our next stop was Sai Wan Ho which was a bright yellow station, and finally Quarry Bay, where we shot outside the station and then inside which was an aqua colour. We aimed to finish at 7pm but we finished at 4:45 instead. We are so overwhelmed that everything came together- I must admit, there were a few hiccups on the way! But everything turned out great and we shot more than we had anticipated.

What a rollercoaster ride. Our photoshoots were such a success and the KC team would like to thank everyone that made this possible.

Hair & Make up: Gurjit Kaur http://www.makeupbygurjit.com/

Models: Nicoline Hansson & Uny Chiu

Photographer: Markus

Love, Petra

Enquiries: +852 2117 1782 | info@kanchancouture.com

www.kanchancouture.com | www.kanchancouture-bridal.com

Build up to the Big Day!

Kelly, Marketing and Events Executive at Kanchan Couture:

With our Bridal Collection launch night this week (Wednesday 24th March), I thought it was a perfect time for a reflection on the build up to the big day.

When Kanch first proposed the Bridal Collection to me I was thrilled. This would be my first opportunity to follow a collection and see its progression from initial idea to final release. And no matter who you are, Bridal-wear is something special so my connection to this collection was always going to be strong.

As well as the new dresses, the new brand and everything that came along with it had to be developed. The wonderful people at uforepublic made this stage really easy. Their beautiful and creative branding was absolutely perfect and we knew instantly that this was the start of something wonderful.

Putting together all the material for the website and getting the organization for the event sorted was the next challenge. The time and energy that goes in to planning and organizing the launch of a new brand and new collection is not something to be taken lightly. For us, our motivation came from the passion we have for this collection and the excitement of being able to play a part in making brides’ dreams come true.

We checked our calendar everyday for a week in the lead up to the first samples arriving! When they were delivered, we dropped everything and unwrapped them all, eagerly anticipating the beauty and elegance that was just waiting to be unleashed. The ‘wows’ and ‘awwwws’ quickly ensued, with both of us excitedly trying on each piece! I couldn’t help but chuckle at what followed as I realized that it was almost an exact replica of the scene in Friends where Rachel, Phoebe and Monica all get dressed up in wedding dresses and prance around the living room.

Next was the photo shoot, which has been touched on in a previous blog. Let me just re-iterate how much fun we all had on the shoot. The beautiful dresses were finished off wonderfully with hair and makeup to fit a princess.

As much as the journey to the aisle is a process of learning for the Bride, with passion and energy thrown in, our journey to launching this collection has been filled with the same excitement, energy and enthusiasm (with a healthy dose of learning on my part)! Ultimately we just want to provide Brides-to-be with dresses that they fall in love with…..

Make sure you come to our launch night on Wednesday 24th March at 6.00 to help us celebrate the start of the next stage of our journey.

The new website will be launched at the same time so check it out on Wednesday 24th March: www.kanchancouturebridal.com

Event Details

Location:
Kanchan Couture Boutique
4/F, 108-110 Wellington Street,
Central, Hong Kong

Time:
Press Launch - 4.00 pm
Open Launch – 6.00 pm

RSVP required: kelly@kanchancouture.com or 2117 1782

Backstage pass to bridal bliss!

With the launch of a brand new collection and brand, and with this being Kanch’s umteenth shoot, we wanted to switch the perspective and write this behind-the-scenes account from fresh eyes. New brand… new blogger! Having just started working at Kanchan Couture, Kelly wanted to take up the reins as queen bridal blogger and this is her account of the shoot!

....

With clouds in the sky, drizzle falling and sub-zero temperatures (approximately) our dreams of a sunny photo shoot in a beautiful flower garden or warm beach were quickly thrown aside! A last minute decision was made to be more realistic with venue decisions and our boutique cum photography studio started to take shape!

As the variety of creative geniuses that made up our shoot team (including the fabulous and extremely talented hair and makeup guru and photographer extraordinaire, Angel and Joyce) gathered in our boutique, we eagerly awaited the arrival of the cakes and the muse, also known as model Shreya.

Anticipation was building as the cake team arrived to assemble the elaborate and beautifully crafted edible masterpieces and the model, with hair and makeup complete, changed into the first dress.

The whole process ran without a hitch and with perfect timing. Each dress looked more beautiful than the last and the cakes were extremely tempting! Kanch helped us hold back the urge to scoff down the entire 4-tiered cake by providing a hearty lunch of pizza and dough balls followed by delicious cupcakes!

We received quite a few stares and had a mini audience of budding photographers surrounding us at one point, perhaps the sight of wedding dresses caught people off guard. Personally I think it was the slightly odd combination of multi-coloured mittens, grey scawl and wedding dress parading round the backstreets of Central.

The afternoon’s festivities (ehem… sorry, hard work and exhaustion!) were joyfully topped off during the final shoot of the day when the fruit stall lady, commentating throughout the shoot, openly remarked that our model had excellent bone structure and great potential. Fruit stall owner and part time model agent perhaps!?! The day brought it’s fair share of drama, excitement and a lot of laughter and I am incredibly proud to have had the privilege of working with such lovely, talented artists.

To be among the first to see these photographs, make sure you RSVP to the Kanchan Couture Bridal launch night on Wednesday 24th March!

RSVP: kelly@kanchancouture.com or 2117 1782

- Wishing you all much bridal bliss, Kelly x

www.kanchancouture.com