Betty Tran : From Paris to Times Square!

It was the night we had all been waiting for, with the promise of French flair, flowers and fabulous cocktails. And it did not disappoint.

Betty Tran's VIP Grand Opening at her new store at Shop 21, Avon Way Claremont was a feminine affair with opulent mirrors, deluxe dressing rooms, flowers hanging from the walls and bright pops of colour from one end of the store to the other.

Signature Betty Tran cocktails were being whipped up for invitation only guests by the talented Cocktail Gastronomy, and mini Betty Tran cupcakes were served up by Bellas Cupcake World.

  

Walking the red carpet, Betty Tran greeted all her guests warmly whilst live mannequins showed off the ultra-feminine and ladylike glam that is the SS14/13 La Muse collection.

In a speech to guests, Betty thanked her mother and her lovely staff for whipping up the store in an incredible four days! Admitting she had only been dusting the store and finishing up that morning before being pampered in hair and makeup, Betty and her team should be very proud of what they have achieved, Paris really has hit Times Square!

“We want to create an environment where women can come in and really escape away from their work whether they have 15 or 20 minutes. We want to bring a sense of nature into the store so people don’t feel like they are just coming into another shop but going to a garden, going to a place where they can actually sit down and have a cup of tea and have a chat with their friends and relax.” - Betty Tran.

Take a look at the glamorous night and remember the Betty Tran VIP Shopping night is on Tuesday 3 September for Times Square VIP Members. See our Facebook page for more info.

  

  

  

Article and photos by Holly Johnsen, Fashion Writer for Times Square Claremont

Tarvydas: Then to Now

Ruth Tarvydas. You wouldn't find too many fashionistas who don't know this name or who haven't stepped inside those luxurious shop doors. Tarvydas is iconic in Australia for sexy, bejewelled, one of a kind gowns, which make all girls feel like women and all women feel like royalty.

I popped into Tarvydas at Times Square Claremont this week to take a look at some new stock and find out a bit more about this mystery 'vintage' piece I had been told about.

  

How cute is our model Amy in this vintage 1980s Tarvydas dress? It still had those key Tarvydas looks with a hint of sparkle, a plunging neckline and a daring hem...

  

And we compared vintage Tarvydas to one very popular gown in store now. So totally different, but you can see the incredible evolution of this designer from then to now.

Tarvydas in Times Square Claremont is a store you cannot just walk past. Window mannequins are dressed in gloriously lavish gowns, the girls in store are only too happy to help and regardless of the occasion there is a dress for you! We couldn't resist playing dress ups with this wedding gown. Oh a girl can dream!

  

Kate Fisher, Amy Gardiner & Kaitlyn Gregory

Designer Focus - Betty Tran

Just talking to WA designer Betty Tran, it is difficult not to get caught up in her passion and love for her work. With the ambition to empower women to become successful in whatever they do, Tran is giving her clients a creative outlet and an ability to make a statement about who they are as women.

“I am not giving them just a formula that they need to follow but I’m giving them what I believe is a great thing by allowing them and educating them to mix and match clothing,” says Betty Tran.

“They can create a statement of who they are as individuals and I am just giving them the freedom to do that.

“I think fashion to me is never just about garments; it’s never just about our clothing. I truly believe it is a convention that allows people to express who they are as a person and to express the individual.”

The Betty Tran brand launched in March 2012 and shortly after Betty opened her flagship store Perth in Rain Square Perth in September 2012. Tran has since showcased at New York Fashion Week, Mercedes Benz Australia Fashion Week and the Perth Fashion Festival, and has dressed the likes of Spice Girl, Mel B, Aussie models Jessica Hart, Nicole Trunfio and tennis greats Serena and Venus Williams.

And if that incredible rise to the top wasn't enough, a recent trip to Europe has not only inspired her next collection, La Muse, but has led to her garments to be stocked in Paris and Milan.

“I attended major fashion shows in Paris and talked with a lot of agents and buyers who are extremely interested in the collection…we will be distributing around Europe!”

Learning the tricks of the trade from her mother who is a tailor, Tran never dreamed she would be able to merge design with becoming a successful businesswoman.

“I think it’s really allowed me to get to know about who I really am as a woman because I think that designing is not only an expression about who you are but it’s really what stance you are taking for others."

“I am a new person, I am very happy with who I am, very comfortable in my own skin now, it’s like a transformation for me. I really want to empower women to become successful, it doesn’t mater what they are doing, so through the clothing hopefully women can become who they really truly are meant to be.”

Originally a collection of 30 pieces, the La Muse collection now spans 60 garments. Inspired by the gardens of Europe, Tran has used colour and lace to bring it all back to the modern day woman.

“The fabric is exclusive with the pattern of the lace to bring a little bit of romance to the collection because when I travelled overseas I saw beautiful spring gardens and lots of colours.

“I was inspired by the gardens and I really wanted to translate that to the prints, so we have been doing a very special print for this collection with the lace detail onto the silk.”

And expect the European flavour to continue to Times Square Claremont this month when Betty opens her next store.

“I have always been looking for a store that would be quite different from the store in the city which is very busy and there are always people coming in and out but they don’t have much time.

“We want to create an environment where women can come in and really escape away from their work whether they have 15 or 20 minutes. We want to bring a sense of nature into the store so people don’t feel like they are just coming into another shop but going to a garden, going to a place where they can actually sit down and have a cup of tea and have a chat with their friends and relax.”

Her next project is the Perth Fashion Festival. Look out for Betty Tran’s latest La Muse collection on September 14 as part of Designer Capsule 2, tckets are still available and she is bringing a bit of sex-appeal to the show.

“It's all red, so expect sexy! Last time the show was more sophisticated, elegant and classy, this time we want it to be more edgy, more fun, dynamic, and seductive, another side of the Betty Tran woman!”

You can see Betty Tran at Perth Fashion Festival next month in Designer Capsule 2, on Saturday 14 September.

Betty will open her doors at Times Square Claremont on August 27.

Jomay Cao Flagship Store Grand Opening

Sweet treats, sparkling wine and bright flowers surrounded guests at the Grand Opening of Jomay Cao's Flagship Store at Times Square Claremont earlier this week.

Filling the Avion Way store, Perth fashionistas admired SS14 Palais Obscur; from bright statement shorts and dresses, to elegant black bandage dresses and white floor length summer dresses.

Guests were treated to sparkling wine from WA Cleanskin Cellars and delicate red velvet cupcakes and macarons from Sweet Petite Creations.

Looking truly at home in her new store, Jomay Cao's SS14 collection was worn by live mannequins who glided through the store.

"I know that fashion isn’t considered to be a form of fine art, but I still like to think that I create wearable pieces of artwork that have the ability to provide women with a strong sense of self and style," says Jomay.

"I can genuinely say that I love every aspect of my job; from the initial research process, to design, to customer liaison. Every day I am presented with new opportunities, challenges and rewards and it brings me so much pleasure."

Make sure you visit 11 Avion Way at Times Square Claremont and you will be sure to find that perfect something you are looking for. Even I couldn't help myself, I purchased the leatherette sleeve dress, just one of the many items available in store now.

  



  

  

"Fashion is important in the sense that it reflects the cultural, political and economic environment of a particular time and place. There’s something great about being able to tell all these things about an era based on what the people were wearing." - Jomay Cao.