If there’s one shop in Malta that’s always given me that just-visited-the-sweet-shop feeling, it’s most definitely Camilleriparismode. Not only does it have exquisite items and objets d’art, but it smells as if you’ve taken up permanent residence in a flower.
As has become customary, last week, the already beautiful Rabat flagship store was transformed into a bridal boudoir fit for a queen as it hosted several dresses from Tony Ward’s 2016 Abstract Roses collection.
For those who are unfamiliar with the renowned designer of Lebanese and Italian origin, Ward’s story is a fairy tale in itself.
Born into the world of fashion and couture, Ward attended the L’École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne at the age of 18 and later went on to work with big-name titans, such as Lanvin, Christian Dior and Chloé, before he felt ready enough to launch his own brand – his show-stopping dresses and intricate attention to detail bear testament to this.
Having seen his work before, I had high expectations of the static show and was not disappointed as we were greeted with layer upon layer of delicate lace and meringue tulle and invited to partake in his vision for the collection, which was greatly inspired by his interpretation of flowers, most especially roses, in abstract paintings.
Keeping in mind the individuality and uniqueness of every bride, the dresses are not only a study in proportion but ensure that each bride’s figure is shown off to its best advantage.
Whether one is looking to be a puffy princess or a streamline Cinderella, Ward’s collection is sophisticated while still creative and works with the female form in order to have everything clinging to all the right places.
Although some of the gowns looked so ornate that the casual observer would conclude them to be heavy, one particular model in a slim 20s-style column covered in hundreds of flowers assured us that the dress was light and comfortable enough to allow for movement and breathability.
The fact that we were able to converse with the models and see the dresses extremely close up made our experience twice as enjoyable and informative, as this is not something that the runway usually allows for.
Although I heard many people exclaim over some of the bigger dresses, for me the winner of the night was definitely a plunged front, lace and delicate mesh number, which added length to the model’s silhouette while retaining the kind of dreamy and romantic feeling bridal gowns tend to conjure up in every woman.
Another close contender was a strapless, form-fitting stunner which had bunches of flowers sewn intermittently into the gauze-like skirt that flowed out into a wonderfully dramatic train.
This piece flowed particularly charmingly because the intermittent flowers embroidered to the skirt became thicker and thicker bunches as they climbed up the body until the corseted bodice was covered in them.
Of course, every fairy-tale princess worth her salt knows that no perfect moment would be complete without equally flawless shoes and here to save the day – minus white horse and Colgate smile – was the Jimmy Choo shoe range from renowned luxury-brand store Sarto.
Displayed on a table so that one could soak up the full extent of the excellent workmanship which goes into each and every pair, I was dazzled by the array of pale golds and sparkly silvers guaranteed to add a flash of fairy dust to the big day and beyond.
Marrying beautiful embroideries, soft silhouettes and gorgeous, luxurious, yet weightless fabrics, Ward provides the perfect happy ever after for the modern bride.