Looks from Karen Walker’s new bridal range. Images supplied.
There really isn’t anything designer Karen Walker and her eponymous brand can’t do and today sees the announcement of Karen Walker Atelier, a bespoke bridal range which will no doubt be incredibly popular. Considering the huge success of her clothing, jewellery, eyewear, homewares and well pretty much everything Karen Walker has done over the last 30 years, it’s kind of surprising she hasn’t tackled wedding day attire sooner. But as they say timing is everything and she’s decided now is the right time and Karen Walker Atelier completes the brand’s impressive Karen Walker offering.
Karen herself was inspired by the enduring strength of her own marriage of 28 years and her love of “a tradition that makes people pin their colours to the mast and take on true commitment,” when she created Karen Walker Atelier. Not to mention her personal love of weddings. “Love, love, love a good wedding!” Karen enthuses. “They’re so uplifting aren’t they? There’s a real joy in two people having that clarity of vision to define themselves in the moment and walk that aisle and into life together.”
Karen Walker Atelier features an expansive, bespoke collection of wedding day outfits and jewellery, all made specifically for, and in consultation with, the client by private appointment. The collection of dresses is based on Karen Walker’s amazing archive with references to many of her most iconic pieces as well as new ideas and clever twists that she’s known for. The collection will suit many tastes with dresses from the classic and traditional to the bold and daring on offer. The initial offering comprises of 12 dresses that play with length, volume, silhouette, detail and proportion. As the brand is also known for its impeccably tailored suiting the collection offers two elegant suits for those who prefer chic trousers and a blazer over a dress.
The designer adores beautiful fabrics and the bridal collection includes winsome floral lace, botanical embroidery with generous coverage of glass beads, a playful dotted tulle, a bubble jacquard and a full-bodied taffeta along with a luxurious heavy weight crêpe de Chine. Karen Walker utilised Gratacós, one of the great couture fabric houses, who, since 1940, has been making fabrics for haute couture legends to create most of the fabrics for the range.
Prices for Karen Walker Atelier clothing range between NZ$1450 and NZ$4250 for dresses and the three-piece suits are NZ$3250 and NZ$3950. Included in the cost is the services of Karen’s own talented team who will assist the bride throughout the process, from reviewing the styles in the collection, measuring, fitting toiles, fitting and adjusting the dress or suit until they have the final look that’s 100% perfect. The service also includes a dialogue with the designer herself at some point in the process. All appointments, viewings and fittings will take place in the Karen Walker Atelier suite above the Ponsonby Road boutique and all styles will be made in the Karen Walker workroom in Grey Lynn.
A natural extension of her jewellery line is the The Karen Walker Atelier Jewellery collection which is available for viewing in the Ponsonby suite as well. The collection includes fourteen new designs that are created to work individually as a standalone symbol of love, or either stacked or interlocked into suites to commemorate engagement, wedding and eternity.
The rings of course feature key Karen Walker motifs referencing the famous KW arrowhead and starbursts that form part of the designer’s signature style. A range of stunning gemstones are available with clients able to choose from champagne diamonds, black diamonds, white diamonds, morganite, grey moonstone, peach moonstone, onyx and rutilated quartz to create their own bespoke piece. Designs range from the subtle to the dramatic and also include vintage-inspired Art Deco pieces.
Karen Walker Atelier wedding bands begin at NZ$450 and all rings are bespoke allowing clients to create their own meaningful and distinctive piece or continue towards a complete nuptial suite with rings that are intended to be stacked or interlocked.
The Atelier doors open today and private viewings can be made with the Karen Walker via email with the Atelier Directrice.
Images supplied.