Hera Couture – Distilled Finesse

Hera Couture’s 30th collection weaves soft, dreamy colours, floral motifs, and shimmering embroidery into gowns so dramatic they have a sense of story to them.

It’s often said that the most compelling brands are those which infuse their products with an authentic sense of passion and narrative.

It’s a formula that Katie Yeung has tapped into with Hera Couture’s latest collection. The Auckland-based designer, who started her successful bridal label in 2004, knows better than most how important it is that a wedding dress accurately reflects a bride’s unique story.

“That concept of a story, of a place and time, is the inspiration behind my latest collection, Distilled Finesse,” says Katie, whose ethos has always married timeless designs with minimal, modern aesthetics and a clever twist.

“Every gown in this collection is aimed at creating a silhouette that matches a bride’s feelings and personality. The 40-piece collection, which includes both street and curve ranges, encapsulates the essence of a modern bride — elegant, confident and deeply romantic.”

For this collection, the 30th from Katie’s Hera Couture brand, she has gone deep into nature, drawing inspiration from the wind blowing on a meadow of wildflowers and an abundant mansion garden.

“I also drew inspiration from the eternal beauty of moonlit gardens in the wild.”

That’s reflected in flowing gowns which feature delicate silhouettes in silky satin and intricate lace adorned with hand-embroidered floral motifs.

“This time around, I’ve opted for a palette of soft ivory and sun-kissed champagne. These tones enhance the collection’s dream-like quality, while the subtle shimmer of crystals add a touch of modernity.” While these fabrics, and finishes such as intricate beading, define the collection, Katie’s striking corsets are a cornerstone.

“As exposed corsets and bustiers are becoming more popular in the global bridal market, we’re thrilled to be able to showcase our corsets which are usually hidden inside the bodice of our gowns. We create these corsets in mikado, French Chantilly lace, embroidered lace, crush satin, silk satins and fine tulle.”

Katie believes that her latest collection elevates a bride’s special day with unparalleled elegance and grandeur. “Each piece is a testament to impeccable craftsmanship, blending traditional techniques with contemporary design to create a timeless yet fresh aesthetic.”

Today, Katie is well-known all over the world for her bridal designs. But the mother of two was initially destined for a career in property and marketing, which she studied at the University of Auckland.

But being heavily influenced by her mother, who trained as a tailor in Hong Kong and worked as a couturier making bespoke garments, meant it wasn’t long before Katie pivoted to the world of bespoke fashion.

“Mum taught me everything about garment construction and professionalism. She’d be sewing at 2.00am to have orders finished on or before the due date,” Katie recalls. “She taught me not to cut corners, even though there are often clever ways to create a garment in less time, and the importance of quality. For a long time, Mum travelled with me to attend fashion and bridal exhibitions and source fabrics.”

Katie believes her success lies in not only dressing brides of all shapes and sizes, but also in her decision to use fabrics that stand the test of time.

“We hand-pick our fabrics from Europe and Asia and often custom-make fabrics to suit our brand design aesthetics and longevity requirements. All fabrics are tested over a six-month period to ensure their durability so that they can withstand processes such as drycleaning but still retain their sheen, feel, comfort, consistency and drape. It’s a long process but it means that our customers get to wear a piece of timeless modern art which, with care, can be passed on to future generations or made into christening gowns.”

For more information, visit heracouture.co.nz and @heracouture.