High-end outlet for wedding belles

A collective wedding ceremony in Yalong Bay Resort, in Sanya. Yalong Bay has the best beach in South China's Hainan province. It is also regarded as a luxury and romantic resort for weddings and honeymoons in China.[Photo/China Daily]

Vera Wang opens what is now her biggest flagship store in Shanghai

Businessmen are leaving no stone unturned to cash in on the tremendous opportunities in high-end wedding service provision in China.

Vera Wang, the queen of bridal couture, opened her largest store in Shanghai on Jan 27.

Standing on a quiet corner of Xintiandi, one of the most popular fashion hubs in the city, the group's two-floor outlet is Wang's fourth global flagship store. With a total space of 850 square meters the store encompasses four spacious fitting rooms with one for VIPs only. This room is also equipped with an individual restroom.

"For sure, Vera is very confident about the Chinese market," said Jiang Yixiang, executive director of Vera Wang China, at a media preview of the store for China Daily.

"We have carried out research and we see great potential in the high-end bridal couture market," he added.

An unpretentious building with a frosted glass facade, the store is intended to provide a "private, salon-like" space for brides-to-be in China. The collection on show and available for fitting at the store will be the world's largest.

Wang, an American-born Chinese former figure skater who has dressed Victoria Beckham, Mariah Carey and a galaxy of Hollywood celebrities and scions of business tycoons and politicians for their big day, is expected to come to Shanghai, her parents' hometown, in March for the grand opening of the store. More tailor-made gowns made by Vera Wang herself and her designing team will be offered exclusively at the Shanghai store, according to Jiang. Naturally, they will fetch a higher price.

The cost of a wedding dress will range from 30,000 yuan ($4,815) to 300,000 yuan. Most will be priced between 100,000 yuan to 200,000.