The Enzoani brand of bridal gowns debuted in 2006 and immediately set its hand-crafted designs apart by blending traditional and modern European styles with an emphasis on innovative use of fabrics; the highest quality of lace and others materials; attention to an exquisite fit; and a soft, sophisticated finish often accentuated through elegant Swarovski beadwork.
Enzoani features a number of targeted brands, including: Blue by Enzoani, slightly more youthful designs that are more accessible and moderately priced; Love by Enzoani, which is highlighted by numerous color options combined with classic silhouettes; the Beautiful brand for the budget conscious; and the exclusive Black Label.
The Designer
Enzoani’s vision is driven by Kang Chun Lin. The London College of Fashion graduate is also creative director of Blue by Enzoani, Love by Enzoani, and Enzoani Black Label. But he didn’t necessarily set out to be a wedding dress designer. While in design school, an associate introduced him to a bridal manufacturer, so Lin started submitting designs for some of the brands they manufactured. His gowns quickly became popular among would-be brides, and eventually the company gave him the opportunity to start his own collection.
Interestingly, Lin says one of his main sources of inspiration is ready-to-wear fashion. “I look for trends in Paris, London, New York, and try to find ways to bring elements to bridal. Lace is still very popular for bridal, so I’ve tried some new patterns and details to help add some variations to what I’ve done before. I focused on bringing the bling in a sophisticated way.”
While innovation is important, so is tradition, and Lin is careful to be mindful of both. Regardless of the latest trend, brides want their dresses to convey romance and beauty. “I don’t see any dramatic styling changes in the near future,” Lin said in an interview, “but it’s always fun to add some big statement pieces in the collection to really try and push outside the box.”
His collections have turned into must-see fashion events. The 2014 bridal collection show was a standing room-only affair of more than 800 guests at the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana, California. One attendee reports, “Guests were delighted with the mix of dreamy vintage elements and modern, clean cuts highlighted by enchanting materials, including embroidered lace, silk, satin chiffon, and tulle. Silhouette necklines, mermaid gowns, and intricate lace embroidery in shades of ivory and even red were some of the leading design choices in this collection.”
The 2015 Collection
Jacqueline
Next season’s 2015 designs are even more stylized, featuring low backs, slinky fabrics, and heavy doses of glamour and bling. “From extraordinary princess moments to delightful vintage-inspired gowns, designer Kang Chun Lin embraced the sparkly while infusing sophisticated elegance into the breathtaking styles.
Jocelyn:
a strapless gown with a lace overlay.
Joyce:
features a sweetheart neckline, layers of flowing material, and a sheer detail back with the ideal blend of glamour and sophistication.
Jacqueline:
is designed to accentuate modern femininity.
Jade:
a mermaid style wedding dress featuring extraordinary detailing.
The Blue by Enzoani collection included a Gatsby-inspired, detailed gown called
Harlem
that features sheer accents.
In the end, Lin believes the secret to his bridal fashion success is to remain true to your personal style, which is what will make your work unique, and to stay in tune with the brides, to better make their wedding gown dreams come true.