Is there a better way to ring in the new year than with some delicious fashion, courtesy of one of our absolute faves here at Hello May? We don’t think so! So that’s just what we’re going to do, friends. Welcome to 2022 and welcome to Karen Willis Holmes‘ new capsule collection of heavenly styles, HERA.
There is So. Much. Glamour in this latest addition to KWH’s BESPOKE collection – not to mention strength, sensuality and the downright effortless luxury that the bridal label is known for. Named for the Greek goddess of family, marriage and childbirth, and embodying and celebrating the divine feminine, the 10-piece HERA range is a damn good reminder that Karen Willis Holmes really is the queen of wedding couture (as if we ever could’ve forgotten!). Think: sleek, sophisticated lines, tailored silhouettes, corseted bodices and lush, full-bodied skirts that amp up both the luxe factor and serve up that glamorous couture aesthetic.
Plus, lovely readers, some of these grand skirts have that all-time fashion feature that we all covet… pockets! (Come on, who doesn’t love a cheeky pocket?) – not to mention sexy splits, plus interchangeable statement sleeves, giving brides the opportunity to customise a wedding-day look that is perfectly unique to each individual.
“For me, the balance between the structure of the silhouettes, juxtaposed by the fluidity of the fabrication, is the perfect embodiment of the complexity of the female gaze itself,” shares the designer herself, Karen. “What I love about this collection is its ability to represent this complexity and hopefully present a wedding dress that brides feel represents who they are.”
From ethereal swathes of layered organza to sculpted, structural mikados and Dublins, the sumptuous fabrics in the HERA collection bring the world of old Hollywood glamour to the range, and a chic LA-in-the-’70s vibe that we just can’t get enough of. Hot tip: Pair some pretty sleeves with a cheeky low neckline gown and a wide-brim hat for instant Palm-Springs-cool vibes.
The made-to-order gowns are lovingly handcrafted in Karen Willis Holmes’ Sydney showroom and available in their Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth boutiques (find full details right here), as well as fabulous stockists (like Mrs Fray in the ACT), both in Australia and internationally. Prices range from $2190 (AUD) for seperate bodices to $9990 for the most intricate gown. Book in an appointment with Karen Willis Holmes to see these stunning designs irl or to find out more, click through to their directory listing.
But for now, take a scroll through this epic collection of luxurious styles (shot on location at the dreamy Las Palmas Byron in Byron Bay’s Hinterland) and get inspired for your day of days.
CREDITS Photography Megan Kelly Weddings Hair & Makeup Alex Ouston Beauty Location Las Palmas Byron Model Ella Wong via Priscillas Shoes Meggan Morimoto Jewellery Amelie George Bridal Straw hat Rosie Boylan Fedora Lack of Colour Headpiece Papel Paper