THE name Carven Ong is synonymous with glamorous evening dresses and wedding gowns.

The Taiping-born couturier continues to play on his strengths with his latest collection themed “Goddess of Beauty”.

Heavenly splendour: A striking red gown with V-neckline and layered chiffon skirt.

Ong, 41, says he was creatively inspired after vacationing in Europe late last year.

“I travelled to Amsterdam, Madrid, Barcelona and Paris. But it was Paris that inspired me most. The French women are always so elegantly put together, and they exude mystique and confidence. To me, it seems like they have discovered their inner goddess.”

Hence, with his aptly-named collection, Ong hopes to bring out the goddess in every woman who wears his custom-made creations.

“After all, my outfits are for special occasions such as weddings. Since a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime event, I want my client to feel like a star,” says the youthful-looking designer.

Through his latest bridal and evening gown collection, romanticism transcends borders.

Ong wants to dress his brides in looks that are reminiscent of a bygone era.

“It’s very fairy tale-like,” says Ong. “I wanted to capture a whimsical, carefree feel.”

Romanticism also dominates his evening gown collection but the approach is softer, with looks that are more fluid.

In terms of fabrics, Ong uses organza, duchess satin, chiffon and taffeta; he plays with layering of textures to create an effortless flow to his gowns.

Colours are bright and attention-grabbing, ranging from yellow, blue to red, no doubt to ensure that the wearer stands out in a crowd.

Bright and bold: Yellow is an important colour this season and features prominently in Carven Ong’s latest collection.

“Our key from the beginning was to turn our couture collection into something quite heavenly to look at, for women who believe in splendour and quality products,” explains Ong, who focused on detailed embroidery on all of his designs.

“There is uniqueness in every gown as it comes in classic, clean lines with a fusion of traditional and modern details. Each outfit is to match the modern bride’s personality and individuality,” adds Ong.

The “Goddess of Beauty” publicity campaign was shot in Langkawi last June, whimsically styled by Wee Chee and photographed by Chuan of Yipieyaya Studio.

Intricate whorls: An evening dress featuring a mermaid skirt that is elaborately embroidered; the large floral motif at the shoulder makes this dress a standout.

Celebrating his 18th year in business, Ong says he is not tired of the industry yet as fashion is constantly evolving.

“I am very happy to be doing what I am doing as I started designing as a hobby. Creativity keeps me alive and knows no boundaries,” enthuses Ong, whose new boutique at Prince Hotel Kuala Lumpur opens this month.

When asked which celebrity would best suit the “Goddess of Beauty” collection, Ong answers without hesitation, “Locally, I would pick (beauty queen) Deborah Henry. The international star I admire is Julia Roberts. Both women have a timeless style.”

In the past, Ong’s creations have graced beauty pageants (such as Miss Malaysia World and Miss Malaysia Universe) as well as the red carpet.

But he has sealed his reputation as one of the most sought-after couturiers in terms of bridal wear. Ong doesn’t take this position for granted.

He continues to ensure that every made-to-order couture piece is of fine workmanship that features precision cut and is delicately tailored to meet each individual’s requirement.

“We want to change the perception by encouraging brides to tailor-make their outfits rather than rent.

“This way, they can keep their once-i n-a-lifetime outfit, something they can cherish and perhaps pass onto future generations.” -The Star/ANN