Born in Denmark to a British father and a Danish mother – a former model and designer who passed along her strong fashion sense to her daughter – designer Charlotte Leung grew up in Europe and Asia and was schooled in England, Hong Kong, Denmark and the United States.
In early 1999, the designer started the Augusta Jones label; after a well-received first collection she teamed up with her stepmother, June Leung, an award-winning designer who brought her own creative flair to Augusta Jones.
Since then, the company has charmed audiences with classic, contemporary designs that pay homage to 1950s couture.
New Collections
"The most important thing when it comes to wedding style is to be yourself," Leung said in an April 23 email interview, "to feel confident and to enjoy the moment. It isn’t just about what you are wearing – it has just as much to do with how you are wearing it."
This season, the successful wedding gown label celebrates its tenth anniversary with a new collection that aims to make brides feel even more glamorous and self-confident on their wedding day.
New Directions
"We have noticed that there is a real demand for more refined, simple and clean styles," says Leung.
Leung describes her new collection as "taking two paths." On the one hand are the structured, draped and pleated gowns that have always worked well for Augusta Jones and on the other, what the team felt was missing from previous collections: "Super feminine and soft gowns that are made with sunny beaches or hilltop weddings in mind."
As a result, the latest collection features both the classic looks that have been successful in the past, as well as gowns that reflect a new, light and carefree spirit: romantic gowns in silk organza and tulle, dresses adorned with crystals and pearls, and delicate details such as hand-cut chiffon flowers.
Lace and organza are used liberally in dresses such as the Kelly and Joan gowns, while in some cases, the bride has her choice of fabric: the dramatic Margarita gown, for example, is available in charmeuse, taffeta, or Thai silk.
"It is all about building up an individual style for each customer," says Leung.
Personal Style
"My advice is simple," Leung says, "plan what you can well, and don’t worry about the rest!"
The Augusta Jones collection offers brides a complete look – with gowns that can be dramatically altered with the addition of complementary accessories such as beaded boleros, shrugs, and belts – making the gown selection process easier for all involved.
“The wedding dress is arguably the single most important item of clothing a woman is going to decide upon in her lifetime. We always want that experience to be extraordinary." Augusta Jones Press Release, Spring 2009.
Sources
Augusta Jones gowns are available at better bridal salons throughout North America. For more information, visit the official Augusta Jones website or go to Kleinfeld Bridal to find out about upcoming trunk shows.
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