Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images of collection, J. Ecochard
Image of Dana Delaney, courtesy of Romona Keveza
Time/Place: Couture Bridal Weekend, Sunday, April 13, @ noon
The Helmsley Palace Towers, 53rd floor
Romona Keveza showed her latest collection in a new pared down setting. While we liked the splendidly baroque suite she’s had in years past at the Waldorf Towers, the new collection really complemented her stylish, pared down designs.
Ms. Keveza consistently proposes designs that are flattering and with just the necessary amount of tweak to excite nervous brides who don’t want to make a mistake in their choice of gown. The proof - she’s grown her business to the point that she’s selling to 110 accounts worldwide. What she always provides is classic timeless detailing with rich fabrics that has made her a go-to designer for many brides who want to look beautiful rather than risk looking cutting edge. Think Town & Country rather than Vogue Italia. In fact, her gowns have appeared on the cover of Town & Country. Ms. Keveza is a 3-time winner of the Couture Bridal Award for “Classic Designer of the Year.” Her designs also make great special occasion dresses. Dana Dalaney of “Desperate Housewives” wore a black taffeta dress with matching shawl designed by Romona to the latest SAG Awards.
As always, the charming Ms. Keveza gave us a short explanation of what she had in mind for her 2 collections: Legends and Romona Keveza Collection.
This season, she said, she was feeling “more pared down”. The silhouettes, she explained, would correspondingly be more light and playful and she promised a whole new twist on what the Mother of the Bride would be wearing.
The inspiration? “It’s all about the brides, Romona enthused to the group [mostly buyers]. It’s really fascinating about what brides are wanting. You’re not giving your brides enough credit, the thing you don’t think won’t sell, sells first, dare to dare!”
LEGENDS BY ROMONA KEVEZA:
As usual she kicked off with Legends, a range of classic well-priced separates and dresses. The opening number, an ivory crumb catcher strapless Al-line could well have been a cocktail dress, as could the white lace strapless that followed.
Even the longer dresses had a bare minimum of extras on it; the detailing was a simple satin ribbon securing a sheer overskirt or a narrow white bead “belt” on a lace one-shoulder trumpet gown.
We’ve always loved that Ms. Keveza’s Legends line really lives up to its promise, “that you can wear the pieces after your wedding day”. The separates in pure white and cream, especially the strapless pieces could do double duty with a black or colored skirt or trousers months or years later.
A Mother of the Bride can now dress just like her daughter, only in black. This season, Ms. Keveza is offering the same A-line dresses for her in black. While we liked them in white, they were smashing in black, especially the black Valenciennes column with matching shrug. For that matter, a more daring bride might just decide to get married in black rather than white. Perhaps even most daring was the amethyst purple crumb catcher ball gown for brides who love color and don’t mind being “untraditional”.
Retail prices: $2,137.40 – 3,737.50
ROMONA KEVEZA COLLECTION
The right fabric can render a simply beautiful gown “amazing” as was the case when Ms. Keveza elected to use white Point D’Esprit for her signature sweetheart ruched neckline ball gown [RK880]. The gown was frothy, airy and eminently romantic.
For the sophisticated bride there’s the Hollywood pearl V-neck [Gown RK885] that ‘s an updated version of Marilyn Monroe at her finest. Done up in another color, or even a deeper hue of ivory, it would make a strong candidate for the red carpet.
Ms. K didn’t forsake embellishment altogether though, as there will always be brides who desire an all-out wedding gown such as [Gown RK889], a silk shantung taffeta with dramatic ruffles spilling out from the chapel train. As it so happens, RK889 is one of Ms. Keveza’s best sellers.
Retail prices: $3,875 – 9,237.50
The pared-down look extended to the hair and makeup, key parts of a bridal look. The models’ hair was worn simply, straight ironed. Makeup was pretty but minimal as were the small bouquets of white roses.
Minimal and understated struck just the right note with us at a time where even brides may be feeling the pinch of the rollercoaster economy we're in.
To see more of Romona Keveza’s designs, visit the official website
www.romonakeveza.com