Romeo Bastone Design Brief

ROMEO BASTONE COUTURE is an innovative business that offers more than just beautiful gowns; they provide co-ordinating accessories for their range of gowns. Matching headpieces with handbags and jewellery sets are available. But their specialty would have to be hand beaded veils that are individualised to suit each gown. Encrusted with crystals, these veils provide the perfect expression of elegance.

At the recent Australian Bridal Industry Academy Awards (ABIA) in Victoria, Romeo Bastone Couture was awarded the 08' Designer Couture Gown & Bridesmaids Fashion Awards. For Designer Josephine Bastone this outstanding result provides the highest esteem in the Bridal Industry as it reinstates the value of customer relations from the initial consultation process to the final creation.

Meet Josephine as she discusses her recent win, her inspirations and her new directions.

The following interview was conducted by Wedding Magazine.

Can you tell us a little about the Australian Bridal Industry Academy Awards

The Australian Bridal Industry Academy Awards is a national organisation that allows newlyweds to rate the quality of product, quality of the service, value for money and attitude of staff they received from suppliers. The Awards covers more than 50 different wedding categories. All votes received from newlyweds are tallied by the ABIA and the results are announced in each state at the Australian Bridal Industry Academy Awards. Romeo Bastone Couture was awarded the '08 Designer Couture Gown Award with an overall Bridal Rating of  99.33%. In 2007, Romeo Bastone Couture also received a National Diamond Star Award in the category  Designer Couture Gown for continued bridal excellence.

But this isn't the only award you have won; please tell us about your other accolades.

Since the introduction of the ABIA to Victoria in 1998, Romeo Bastone Couture has won thirteen awards; eight Designer Couture Gown  Awards, three Bridesmaid Fashion Awards, one for Mother Of The Bride and a National Diamond Star Award for Designer Couture Gown. In 2001, we won three ABIA Awards, which made an ABIA record! In the same year we were also awarded the overall winner of the Australian Achiever Awards.

It must give you a tremendous sense of satisfaction to know that so many of your customers voted for you. Would this be a highlight of your career as a Couturier?

These Awards have been important to me as a Couture Designer as they reinstate the value of utmost importance in customer relations. It certainly means that all the hard work of creating each individual gown is worthy and customers are grateful.

Tell us a little about your business; how long have you been established?

Established in 1991, my attraction to bridal couture commenced at an early age. Teresa Romeo, my mother, taught dressmaking to others in Italy - this is how I discovered my passion for creating bridal gowns. I was initially taught  the foundations of patternmaking as they had been taught to my mother back in the early 50's. I then attended formal training at RMIT completing my studies and attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fashion. The store provides a vast selection of gowns, some of which can be purchased off the rack. However, predominantly each gown is fully made to measure, constructed individually to personify each bride's identity.

Describe your signature look.

Romeo Bastone Couture's signature look is classical, timeless elegance. I feel that there must be a sense of harmony between the gown and the body. Great care is taken to ensure that the gown is easy to wear. An impeccable cut provides the basis for a well-constructed gown. Even if there is a lack of ornamentation, the attention paid to the harmony of line and shape provides a feeling of luxury and elegance.

Who are some of the great style icons women can look to for inspiration when dressing  for their wedding?

Without a doubt, two of the greatest style icons would have to be Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. Both women had total appreciation for simplicity. Brides favour the thought of wearing a timeless gown - one that they will time and time again look back upon and still feel that they looked perfect on their wedding day. Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly will always be inspirational to any bride simply because of their notion of seeking out  the simple essence of elegance.

Tell us about your latest collection.

Our latest collection features delicate French Chantilly beaded laces. There are soft flowing gowns with sweeping trains that are overlaid with French laces. The princess A-line gowns are also part of the collection with ruching or draping to minimise and enhance the bride's figure. Gowns are ornamented with delicate swavroski crystals or sometimes featured with silk handmade flowers.

To you, what personifies the perfect gown?

As a couture designer I feel the 'perfect gown' rejects all unnecessary detail in favour of simple lines - that is, pure form that makes the wearer feel luxurious and elegant. A bride shouldn't have to be a size 8 to feel that she is wearing the 'perfect gown.'

What Kind of woman makes a Romeo Bastone bride?

A Romeo Bastone Couture bride is a timeless bride. She prefers a classical line with touches of modernism. Simplicity to her means completeness - no more, no less. She is a confident woman who stands alone with understated elegance.