"Cafe Chat" with Designer Joan Shum
Hi Guys...I am so excited about our featured guest....the amazingly talented and oh-so-sweet...Joan Shum. If you love the vintage look and feel of fashion...then you will truly fall in love with Joan's bridal collection.....and get this.....each piece is hand-made! Joan shares a little 411 with us on her passion for design and a little about the lady behind the fabulous collection...so without further ado...let's "cafe chat" with Joan Shum....Enjoy!
"The Mademoiselle"
TBC: Describe the Joan Shum Customer.
JS: When I design, I initially design for myself. My passion for art, costuming, and fashion, reflects on to my wedding gowns. That being said....a Joan Shum bride has a clever-chic-vintage soul! She is the leading lady on the silver screen. She smartly chucks the main-stream look and finds her individual style when mixing and matching my corset tops and skirts.
TBC: What are the three adjectives that describe your style?
JS: Eccentric....Stylish.....and Fearless!
TBC: What is the best part about your job?
JS: The best part about my job is creating anything I want. I love making beautiful things. I love seeing my vision come to life. I love not answering to anybody except myself and my brides.
TBC: What are the key trends for 2008/2009 wedding season?
JS: I really don't have one because I don't follow wedding trends as much as I follow fashion trends. Even then, I design what I like and what I believe looks good on every woman and what mood I am in. Usually, I am in a "modernizing the old with the new mood". When you really think about it, there are no real trends in wedding gowns....but for my future wedding trend, you will see bold colors!
TBC: Do you think color is appropriate for a wedding gown?
JS: Yes, I do think color is appropriate. As a matter of fact, I have made wedding gowns in red, pink, blue and even hand-painted by yours truly. You will see more bold colors in my future collections. White is over-rated...don't you think?
TBC: When is a short dress a better choice than a gown?
JS: When you are doing the "chicken dance"! No, seriously, I think when you want to show off those fabulous Christian Louboutin or those great vintage Lucite heels....get a tea-length wedding gown...like my "Mademoiselle".
TBC: Tell us a little about your personal life...we want to get to know you a little.
JS: I live a humble life with my husband and our dog on a small island in Long Beach, California. When I am not stuck in my designing studio, I love to vintage shop in other states. I am number 9 and a twin of 11 in my family. My husband has 13 in his family. It gets a little crazy during the holidays, as you can imagine. Right now, I am currently working on a new global show with my twin sister. Yes, I am the stylist for the show and I love it! I have been blessed with my life and I hope someday I can be a philanthropist for people and animals.
And now let's check out a few more pieces of Joan's oh-so-beautiful and chic designs.......Enjoy!
"Gibson-Rose"
"White Dahlia"
"Lady Catherine".....so very beautiful and I love how Joan names each piece!
"Love in the Mist"
"Love in the Mist"
"Lady of the Valley"
"Mariposa"
Thanks Joan for stopping by the cafe today....your designs are all so beautiful and I love the "vintage" look and feel....truly gorgeous....we can't wait to see what's next!
