Paris-trained designer Hannah Kong takes on RTW
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Last month, as I watched Hannah Kong’s capsule collection come down the runway at the annual “Marry Me at Marriott” event, I had this itch to go up there and take a closer look.
The silhouettes were a mixed bag of classics, all very elegant and dreamy. But what got my attention were the little details: the heavy embellishment that managed to be graceful and delicate; the intriguing layering of gauzy chiffon over shimmery sequins; the overflow of 3D florets that added touches of girlish glamour.
Kong said that studying at École Lesage Paris, where they do haute couture embroidery, made her fall in love with intricate details more.
“I really love the small, small details,” she told me after the event, adding that I should have indulged and inspected the pieces.
So when news about her SM Aura Premier pop-up store came around, needless to say, I was excited to get up close and personal.
For her pop-up store, which will be up until January, the bridal couturier tries retail on for size. With custom, she said, clients share their pegs as both parties determine the perfect gown. But this time around, she is able to design based solely on her own mood.
Party dresses
“Even as a designer, I would sometimes have a hard time looking for something to wear to events last minute,” Kong said. “My clients have also been asking me for years to make ready-to-wear, and I think now is a perfect time to try.”
The classy space is lined with racks of feminine pieces, from casual separates to chic party dresses and stunning evening gowns—all fancy, floral and tastefully flirty in so many tiny ways—perfect for the upcoming holiday season.
“I wanted to offer different types of fabric in the store: some sheer pieces and some printed like brocade or jacquard. There are also laces, which I love to use a lot even in my custom dresses,” she said.
“I’ve always believed that every woman deserves to feel beautiful, whether she’s walking down the aisle or attending a special event,” said Kong. “With this ready-to-wear collection, I wanted to create pieces that embody the same elegance and craftsmanship of my custom designs, but in a way that is more accessible for everyday wear.”
Going retail doesn’t mean compromising her signature attention to detail and commitment to quality, however, with each dynamically demure and impeccably crafted piece oozing sophistication.
Kong’s penchant for vintage cuts—stemming from her love for vintage dresses and old movies—also adds to the timelessness of her designs. But her colors, textures, shapes and fabrics make even simple silhouettes absolutely enchanting.
