AS FRIENDS BREAK news of wedding engagements and my mailbox overflows with big-day invitations, 2003 seems a popular year for nuptials. But while weddings are supposed to be one of the happiest days of a person's life, the pursuit of the perfect bridal gown can cause many sleepless nights. Strapless or corset? Floral or diamante tiaras? Duchess of satin or frothy tulle? The search for the ultimate dress is a delicate game in which brides have to find a body-flattering gown that transcends seasonal trends while remaining in vogue. Perhaps - in a frenzied second - the idea of hopping on a Las Vegas-bound plane doesn't sound so crazy after all. But for traditionalists, the city's surge of contemporary bridal salons will hopefully alleviate prenuptial anxieties. In addition to old favourites such as Shanghai Tang and the favourite designer to the stars, Valentino, some new bridal boutiques in Central are doing their best to dismiss visions of Kimberly Road's generic bridal salons full of cringe-inducing poof gowns and Renaissance-inspired fountain backdrops. Here is a guide to some of the best. CHIIMES (7/F, 1 Lan Kwai Fong, Central; tel: 2869 8666) Carries wedding labels such as Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera and Nicole Miller. The cosy, contemporary salon features exquisite handmade veils and crystal tiaras and the boutique plans to stock more American designer brands. Those wanting feminine beaded dresses will find Badgley Mischka's collection appealing. A red-carpet favourite among Hollywood A-listers, the New York-based label made its Hong Kong debut this year. For those who prefer minimalist silhouettes, Chiimes director Carol Chow recommends Herrera's elegant duchess of satin numbers which are selling well in New York's Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue department store. With prices starting at $30,000, you'll find beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces. ANAISS (301 Tak Woo House, 17-19 D'Aguilar Street, Central; tel: 2522 2030) A great alternative for those seeking contemporary bridal wear and evening gowns, the boutique sources labels from Britain and Paris. Anaiss carries the exclusive distribution for British label Veromia, American label David Bridals, evening wear specialist Alfred Angelo and Bill Leekoff from Paris. Prices for gowns range from $8,800 to $30,000, and the boutique also offers rental services (40 per cent off the original price) for dresses from previous seasons. An in-house accessories designer is available to take in special orders for faux jewellery and couples who don't have time to pick out wedding presents for their guests should find the shop's wedding-gift service helpful. 'We aim to provide a one-stop service for brides-to-be,' says Vicky Wong, marketing executive at Anaiss. THE WEDDING SHOP (4/F, On Lan Centre, 11-15 On Lan Street, Central; tel: 2537 0322) One of the first bridal salons to open in Central. 'We wanted to capture a different customer group,' says the boutique's manager Marina Chira. 'We are the only salon here that stocks all Italian brands and we aim to capture the sophisticated, upper-middle class market.' Stocking Italian labels such as Blumarine, Domo Adami and Mariella Burani, prices range from $15,000 to $30,000. Gowns from previous seasons can be rented from $7,000 to $13,000 and evening wear is also on sale for about $15,000. SHANGHAI TANG (Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central; tel: 2525 7333) This is the choice if you want to bring a Chinese flavour to proceedings, with a range of traditional dresses for the evening banquet, made-to-measure cheongsams or Chinese-style wedding dresses. Four new dresses have been added to its latest bridal collection. These gowns combine the fitted silhouette of European tailoring with the elegant high collar of Chinese garments. VALENTINO (G29-G34 The Landmark, Central) The big day may call for a big splurge for some, and the prestigious Valentino provides a couture ordering service for brides-to-be. 'The most glamorous, lucky and rich ladies have always commissioned their dress from Valentino,' says brand manager Valeria Azario. 'Jackie O, Claudia Schiffer, Sharon Stone and our very own Hong Kong-born princess Marie Chantal of Greece all wore Valentino on their big day.' Living a princess' dream is costly, however, so be prepared to fork out a small fortune for these fairy-tale creations: 'Price for the couture gowns is about $624,000 and, of course, the more beading and embroideries, the higher the price,' says Azario. While ready-to-wear fashion is known to follow seasonal styles, bridal-wear fashion does not adhere to obvious trends. 'Trends are really not that obvious in bridal wear,' Anaiss co-owner Carol Lam says. 'Most brides know what they want for their big day and the dress depends on the style of the wedding, the bride's body shape and the particular aesthetic that she favours.' Plain duchess of satin and traditional whites are popular among Hong Kong women, but according to Lam, off-white ivories and champagne hues are flattering colours for Asian skin tones. 'I would recommend gold-tinted gowns because the colour complements Asian complexions. 'The key to finding a great dress is to see the amount of layers underneath,' says Lam. 'A quality gown has only a few simple layers that create the volume needed whereas a badly made one would require wearers to put on crinolines for the voluminous effect. The difference is evident just by looking at the way the gown hangs from its hanger. A well-made one hangs smoothly without bulky layers and the best come with built-in girdles so the bride only has to wear a simple bodysuit under the dress.' Much thought goes into finding the perfect dress. For some, the quest for the ideal ensemble makes all other wedding arrangements pale in comparison. So how much time is needed to source the gown? 'Allow at least nine months,' says Chira from The Wedding Shop. 'After all, it's a once-in-a-lifetime event and you need to give yourself all the time needed to find that perfect gown.'
