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D'sire
His bridal boutique D'sire officially opens only in August, but it has been attracting a steady stream of visitors. At the shop, dressed to resemble a living room straight out of the Renaissance period, women can be spotted rifling through racks of exquisite creations churned out by Dennes. "A wedding is more than an event; it is an experience. It shouldn't be just about how beautiful the dress is or how expensive the wedding ring is," he says. "It's a celebration for finding the right person to spend the rest of your life with, and having beautiful memories of it is important." And he wants these beautiful memories to begin with D'sire. At the showroom, which Dennes designed, furnishings such as black baroque-style furniture, plush olive curtains and angel figurines dominate. Upping the drama is his clever juxtaposition of soothing and stark; two opposite walls are coated in light mauve and black respectively, while a generous velvet settee provides a delightful contrast to the raw, grey flooring. In such an enchanting environment, Dennes feels couples can afford to chill. "At D'sire, gown-shopping is an experience. This is a place to be and feel beautiful. Besides a good selection of lovely gowns and the refined interior, service is impeccable – with fragrant tea to boot," he beams. Deeper inside the 2,000 sq ft boutique, however, is where the fun truly begins. Instead of conventional cubicles, brides try on their gowns in two cosy fitting rooms. Lydia, the first, is decorated in classic English style and more often used for trying on the wedding gown. On the other hand, Peony, with its exotic Oriental theme, is for cheongsams and cocktail dresses.
This means the D'sire team can attend to only one customer at a time. It suits Dennes fine, since he can then concentrate on meeting all her needs during the appointment. That way, service and quality remain uncompromised. Of course, as one of Singapore's most sought-after bridal couturiers, Dennes's gowns are snapped up soon as they hit the racks. Taking inspiration from his own daily experiences - "movies, people, music, anything!" - he describes his pieces as glamorous, with a touch of luxe and a twist of fashion. "A wedding is the time for brides to pile on the glitz, glitter and glamour, simply because the occasion calls for it. Women can wear a clean-cut minimalist dress at any other time!" he says. Dennes's current collection evokes a swanky, vintage 1920s Hollywood allure, with each number practically dripping with lavish beadwork, gorgeous lacework and vibrant embroidery. While most of the selection comes in popular colours such as white, off-white and ivory, girls who don't mind that extra attention can count on a shimmering golden-hued confection. D'sire is at 97 Amoy Street. For appointments, call 6323-3350. For more information, log on to www.dsire.com.sg. |
If it were up to Dennes Yang, weddings are perfect reason to indulge. With 15 years of bridal design experience under his belt, the self-professed "lover of beautiful things" clearly knows what he is talking about.
"Asian brides are quite shy during fittings, and don't fancy leaving the cubicles if they feel the gown doesn't fit," says Dennes. "At D'sire, however, they can enjoy the privacy of the entire fitting room."