DESIGNER'S DOORWAY

Luly Yang

IN THIS FEATURE: Meet Luly Yang Fashion Focus Details

ome in the fashion world say Luly made her mark with bridal, as the “Vera Wang of the West Coast,” which Luly doesn’t mind at all. Her custom bridal gowns do go for top dollar, but that’s not why Luly creates her brand of beauty for the body.

“It’s fun to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays and holidays. I see people when they’re planning a party. I’m with them during the special celebrations of their lives. We create memories together. I can live off that forever - that feeling of joy in making a difference. You don’t have to move buildings. You can just make someone feel special and feel like you’ve done something good.”

“It feels very rewarding to see my dresses on people. To see someone living their life in it is really nice. The way it makes the body look is important to me. That comes to me because of my familiarity with the body. I taught aerobics for 15 years, so I helped people sculpt their bodies. So why not do it for clothing?”

What has been your biggest fashion faux-pas?

I SAW SOME PICTURES OF MYSELF IN THE 80S. I HAVE TO SAY IT’S ONE OF MY LEAST FAVORITE THINGS...SHOULDER PADS. EVEN ON THE BRIDAL GOWNS. THE SCALE IS OFF BECAUSE PADS OVERPOWER EVERYBODY.

If you could change one thing about your closet, what would it be?

I WANT IT TO BE BIGGER. I WANT TO DIVIDE IT INTO “DEPARTMENTS”, LIKE A STORE.

Survival of the fittest: What is one item in your closet that you will never get rid of?

PROBABLY A PINK VINTAGE COAT THAT I LOVE. I GOT IT ON ONE OF MY TRIPS TO EUROPE A LONG TIME AGO. IT’S SO OLD. I LOVE GOING VINTAGE ANTIQUING. YOU CAN TELL WHEN PIECES HAVE A SOUL.

If you were given the opportunity to have a famous designer revamp your entire wardrobe, who would you choose?

A TEAM: OSCAR DE LA RENTA AND VALENTINO. THEY ARE TIMELESS AND VINTAGE. THEIR WORK STILL LOOKS AMAZING.

Who makes your favorite pair of jeans? Shoes? Dress or Suit?

I DON’T OWN JEANS, BECAUSE MY GRANDMOTHER NEVER ALLOWED ME TO WEAR JEANS TO SCHOOL. THEY AREN’T DRESSY ENOUGH. I HAD TO DRESS UP EVERYDAY. I REMEMBER MY SISTER AND I WOULD WEAR SKIRTS TO SCHOOL AND CHANGE INTO SHORTS, SECRETLY, AT SCHOOL.

If you had to describe your personal style in one word, what would it be?

“TRUE.” I WEAR WHAT I FEEL LIKE WEARING. IT COMES OUT IN MY CLIENTS AND WHAT THEY WEAR. THEY ASK ME WHAT’S “IN” RIGHT NOW, AND I LOOK AT TRENDS AND LOVE IT. IT’S EXCITING, BUT I MODIFY TO MAKE IT MORE “YOU”- CUSTOMIZED WITH THE CURRENT TREND IN MIND.