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Home » Bride » Wedding Dress Designer Feature: Karen Willis Holmes

June 2, 2013

Wedding Dress Designer Feature: Karen Willis Holmes

Designer Feature: Karen Willis Holmes 2013 Collection

KWH Demi Couture Rachel Close
Rachel in the Demi Couture Collection by Karen Willis Holmes

Wedding Dresses by Karen Willis Holmes, the 2013 Collection

One of my most memorable moments of Bridal Market, was getting to meet with Karen Willis Holmes,  a couture wedding dress designer from Australia whose gracious demeanor and graceful bridal styles left a lasting impression.  As it turned out, her first visit to New York Bridal Week happily coincided with my own first time at the show, so I felt very lucky to have the chance to meet her and to see these gowns in person.

Karen Willis Holmes offers 4 lines:  The Couture Collection  is her high-end bridal line with completely hand crafted couture bridal gowns;  the Demi Couture Collection -- for brides who desire couture quality wedding gowns with the ease and price of a ready to wear wedding dresses ;  Bride by Karen Willis Holmes , the ready-to-wear bridal collection, and the off-the-rack styles of  KWH by Karen Willis Holmes . Collections are conveniently available  online.

Walking through the aisle at the Couture Show, it was impossible to not be drawn in by the racks of airy, sequined gowns at Karen Willis Holmes.  We can probably agree that sequins are in the center of  the bridal-wear spotlight right now, as is lace and embroidery. So, it's a wonderful thing to find that several of the gowns in her KWH Collection featured both embroidery and sequins, and I've never seen the two put together in such a spectacular way.

Caitlyn was one that particularly caught my eye. The color, texture, and placement of the sequins was unlike anything I've seen; they had a perfect iridescence to them and they were laid out in a way that made them lie perfectly in a sleek shape. You can see the gown as it would appear on a real bride, thanks to this magnificently styled shoot photographed by Feather and Stone. Caitlyn is a part of the KWH by Karen Willis Holmes Collection.

 

Caitlyn by Karen Willis Holmes

Caitlyn by Karen Willis Holmes  Photography by  Feather and Stone

On Alexandra, the panels reveal a blend of embroidery and sequins that are just dazzling, as was the elegant detail along the back. Alexandra is a part of the KWH by Karen Willis Holmes collection.

Alexandra Karen Willis Holmes

Image Courtesy of Karen Willis Holmes and Sydney Bride Magazine

These looks embody everything that is great about current bridal trends: the beading and lace has a certain Edwardian style, the sleek form-fitting sequins call to mind the Gatsby glamour we're seeing now, and this combination of modern and timeless detail is capable of chameleon-like transformation to suit everything from beachside ceremonies (several gowns have a mermaid-esque swish to them) to romantic church weddings.

Although Karen Willis Holmes is on the other side of the world in Australia (and the designs are other-worldly) I think Karen Willis Holmes designs will find a fast following with contemporary brides in the US and all over the world, I hope you enjoy this peek at her dazzling gowns!

DEMI COUTURE Collection by Karen Willis Holmes

KWH Demi Couture RachelKWH Demi Couture Rachel CloseKWH Demi Couture Rachel Back

Rachel - Demi Couture by Karen Willis Holmes

KWH Matlida Demi Couturematilda close up Karen Willis Holmes

Matilda - Demi Couture by Karen Willis Holmes

Jillian KWH

Jillian - Demi Couture by Karen Willis Holmes

Illusion KWH Demi Couture

 Illusion - Demi Couture by Karen Willis Holmes

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BRIDE by Karen Willis Holmes

Karen Willis Holmes Bride Adrianne

Adrianne - Bride by Karen Willis Holmes

Anastasia

Anastasia - Bride by Karen Willis Holmes

KWHBRIDE - Ella(1)

Ella - Bride by Karen Willis Holmes

Jasmine by Karen Willis Holmes

Jasmine - Bride by Karen Willis Holmes

Karen Holmes Willis offers a complete line of bridal accessories, too.

For store locations for Karen Willis Holmes gowns, visit Store Locations, or the e-boutique and see all the many dresses in the collections in  KarenWillisHolmes.com.

Update: Karen Willis Holmes has plans to open a boutique in New York City soon (read more here) and will be stocking at  Love Couture Bridal  in Potomac, MD soon! 

 

More style ideas you might enjoy :

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Simple and Modern Wedding Dresses from Morilee by Madeline Gardner
Penny by Christos | Tulle Ballgown Wedding Dress
Blush by Hayley Paige Wedding Dresses for Spring 2020
« Wedding Dress Designer Feature: Legends by Romona Keveza - Spring 2014 Collection
Pale Blue and Melon »

Filed Under: Brides, Wedding Dress Collections Tagged With: Karen Willis Holmes Wedding Dresses

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. The Perfect Palette says

    June 03, 2013 at 12:32 pm

    Dreamy wedding gowns!

    • Dressforthewedding says

      June 03, 2013 at 2:47 pm

      Thanks, The Perfect Palette! I agree, they truly are dream dresses!

    • KAREN WILLIS HOLMES says

      June 03, 2013 at 7:19 pm

      Thank you The Perfect Palette!

  2. KAREN WILLIS HOLMES says

    June 03, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    ...And we're very excited to be stocking at Love Couture Bridal soon! http://ow.ly/lFTEW

    • Dressforthewedding says

      June 04, 2013 at 5:37 pm

      That's wonderful news! I've added it to the post so that all US and Maryland area brides will know.

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