Last Sunday we had the chance to sit down with designer Lazaro Perez to chat about his current collection, his tips for shopping for a wedding gown, and why he loves to dress Dallas brides.
How did you get started in the industry?
I’m Cuban. And when you leave Cuba—I left when I was three or four—you leave with nothing. To make ends, my mother would sew for the community. That’s how she’d make some of the income. I always loved what she did and the joy she brought to people. She had such a knack for it and I knew that’s what I wanted to do.
Later down the road, I went to school for design and I entered a competition sponsored by a chain store bridal salon. When going to school I always wanted to be a costume designer. A gown is the most extravagant costume you’ll ever wear. I won that competition and it opened doors in the bridal industry. Later down the road I was offered jobs to move to New York and work for a designer as an assistant. I took the opportunity and saw the door open up and I put my foot in it. I worked for a company called Richard Glasgow, which is a high-end couture line. That’s where I got my taste for high fashion and well-made quality and the taste for good construction. Later down the road JLM’s Joe Murphy approached me and said “I want to put your name up in lights.” That was in the 1990s.
What brings you to Dallas?
I am doing a fabulous trunk show here today at StarDust and meeting the brides. I always do about 12 trunk shows every season to my top stores. I love them because it brings some one-on-one with the bride. I get to meet my brides and see what they love. And actually, they help me with my future designs. Sometimes they’ll take a bodice of one dress and a skirt from another. They create the collection. I love doing it. It’s wonderful to be one-on-one with my consultants as well.
Why do you love designing for the Dallas bride?
I had the opportunity to meet a couple of brides yesterday. They were trying pretty much everything from the very sexy and revealing to the huge, beautiful princess ball gown. So I think the Dallas bride is very diverse. They love to experiment here. I thought it would be more of a southern debutante look mainly in all ballgowns and ivory and white. It’s the complete opposite. They’re up there with New York and LA. They are very fashion savvy.
Tell me about the current Spring 2016 collection.
When we showed it it was called “Fleur.” It’s really beautiful with a beautiful print as a finale (see below). We showed a beautiful sherbet color, too. The silhouettes were everything form a trumpet to a ballgown but still bringing a tradition in with a modern twist.
The gowns have a lot of movement. Even on the runway there is so much movement. I’m very much into that and seeing fabric that moves and are almost three-dimensional. It’s not always very structured.
I notice you like to design with tulle.
I love designing with tulle. It’s that very princess look. I’ve been doing this for 30 years or so. So, tulle is always one of those fabrics that no matter how traditional or how modern you get it’s still there. Tulle is one of those fabrics that has always remained.
Are there other fabrics that you love working with?
I’m very well known for my embroideries, too. You’re always going to see a beaded gown, such as the elongated bodice I’m known for. And I really still love using lace. Right now Venice lace is coming back. It used to be very big in the ’80s and ’90s. Venice lace is almost a three-dimensional lace with a crochet look.
Are brides wearing any accessories?
The belt is one of those that started with sashes in the early 2000s, 2003, 2004. It’s going to be a style that is going to continue to stay here for a long time. It cinches the waste and brings the eye in. Every time you put one on a bride they say, “Oh! I have a waist.” There’s something about a beaded belt or maybe just a ribbon.
What about necklines?
I think I want to say it’s going more traditional because, I’ll tell you, a year ago I couldn’t give away a sleeve. Now we’re seeing a coverage on a shoulder. A little more sleeve. Or maybe a strap or detachable bolero or detachable shawl. The strapless has been in so long, that there’s a trend of people getting away from it a little bit.
What are some tips for buying a wedding gown?
My biggest tip is to have an open mind. Try on a few different silhouettes. Maybe just try on something you would never in your life pick. Sometimes that’s the dress you walk out of the store with. Don’t be so set on a certain style or dress, sometimes that’s not your dream dress. Keep it fun.
To shop the Lazaro collection, make an appointment with StarDust Celebrations.
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