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It's hard enough for brides-to-be to find the perfect wedding gown, much less think about what goes "around the dress" to finish the look on their big day. Let designer worry about
First of four parts
wedding day accessoriesBy Gary C.W. Chun
gchun@starbulletin.com
Wouldn't it be nice to have someone else do the worrying? That's what designer Cindy Sato always strives for in assisting clients looking for that special, personal "sparkle" to add to their bridal ensembles.
With the summer wedding season just around the corner, Sato hopes that her handcrafted and custom-designed tiaras, combs and jewelry -- available under the name Designs by Kimiko (her middle name) -- will add to a bridal party's total look.
"I started my business last September after being an operations manager for MonaLisa Designs," Sato said. "Just before I went into business on my own, I designed and made the jewelry that Angela Perez Baraquio wore when she relinquished her Miss America crown in Atlantic City."
While Baraquio's jewelry was large and showy for the stage, Sato's bridal work is much subtler. "Classic, simple but contemporary," is how Sato puts it. She uses a mix of freshwater pearls (more economical than cultured ones), crystals and semiprecious stones in her earring, necklace and headpiece creations.
"In (tomorrow's) workshop at the Wedding Cafe, I'll be giving out pointers and information on the importance of accessorizing. When we dream of getting married, we usually envision how we'll look beyond the white dress. We want the little touches that will make our wedding day that much more special," she said.
"Accessories are usually one of the last things a bride thinks of. But I think she should plan three months in advance of the wedding date and finalize it before the first sitting, rather than waiting until that stressful week before the wedding comes around."
Like any other small-business person, Sato tries to anticipate what's popular by looking at bride and wedding magazines, and she said that "the trend is for brides to select simpler gowns, with the accessories adding a little more color and character."
Sato said tiaras have become a popular new accessory, a trend that started in Europe and Japan. Sato's tiaras are made with sterling silver or gold-filled wire, with pearls, semiprecious crystals and stones like fluorite, moonstone and Swarovski crystals, or wrapped in lace with appliqués added.
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After the wedding, brides may choose to reuse the stones and materials. Sato can recycle and reshape them into pieces of jewelry that are more practical for daily wear. Sato's signature design is the "butterfly tiara," inspired by her younger sister."These are designs that can be made to the preference and budget of the bride," she said. "I've also done accessories for other special occasions, like proms." Sato also handcrafts veils and handbags.
When she meets with clients, Sato asks for either a picture, a fabric swatch or the dress itself for reference. "In asking them what they like, they can even bring in magazines that they've went through and book-marked. It's all in wanting to help them personalize their wardrobe, as well as the bridesmaids and flower girls."
She's gotten good feedback on her work since participating in January's Bridal Expo, her first. "A lot of bridal salons and hair and makeup people told me I had beautiful work, which reaffirmed to me that I do have a good product to offer."
Sato has also donated pieces for community functions such as the Heart Ball and the Cherry Blossom Festival fashion show.
"Since this is a special-occasion business, where people would come to me once or twice in their lives, I depend a lot on word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers," she said.
Her work can be viewed on her Web site, www.designsbykimiko.com.
Where: The Wedding Cafe, Manoa Marketplace Bridal workshop
When: 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays
Admission: Free
Call: 988-1005
Notes: Hair and makeup specialist Beverly Kaneshige and photographer Paul Hayashi will participate in tomorrow's event.
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