Having worked with some of fashion’s biggest names, French couturier Nicolas Laville now partners bridal boutique Trinity Gallery to create the NL and Nicolas Laville for Trinity Gallery collections, as well as couture creations from the Nicolas Laville Couture line. He tell us more:
1. How long have you been in the industry and how did you start?
I’ve been in the fashion industry for almost ten years. I got my first job at twenty-three years old, making bullet-proof jackets and army equipment. After six months, I decided to get into the luxury business with Kenzo and Christian Lacroix, and the rest is history.
2. What is your design aesthetic in terms of details, colours and style?
The most important thing to me is how the gown fits and suits a woman’s body. I like playing around with cut-outs, as well as hidden details to make the gown more versatile and give it elements of surprise.
3. How do you work with clients to create their dream dress?
My creations are unique to each bride so it’s crucial to know who I am designing for. During the first meeting, we usually talk about everything except the dress. This gives me an idea of who she is and I can picture a gown on her. Then, we sketch out the final design and select the materials. This is followed by a fitting of the sample.
4. Tell us about one of the most memorable gowns you have worked on.
It is probably the gown I created for a bride called Estelle. She wanted an evening ballgown instead of a white wedding gown as it was her second marriage, but she became pregnant before the wedding. As I didn’t know how her body would change, I suggested making it a week before the big day. I had very little sleep during this week, and the lace was delivered in the wrong colour. But when she finally changed into the gown, even her mother started crying. Witnessing such emotions makes all my work worthwhile.
5. How long does it take to create a customised gown?
We usually take about three months to deliver a gown, as we need time for fittings and to ensure the quality. Production time can be reduced to two weeks or a month if a bride requires it, but this also means a higher cost.
6. What are the fashion mistakes brides often make when it comes to evening gowns?
I have seen brides who pick up the most beautiful and elegant wedding dress, but end up with a prom dress for an evening gown. Also, they often wear evening gowns that are either too conservative or too sexy, but I feel that there has to be a good balance of both.
Nicolas Laville is located at Trinity Gallery, #02-14 Raffles Hotel Shopping Arcade, tel: 6336 5052.
