Romeo Bastone

Often when a bride is searching for her dream wedding gown, an
important element is great service. Undoubtedly, this is why couturier Josephine Bastone of Romeo Bastone Couture is so popular with brides-to-be. Recently Romeo Bastone won the 2001 Australian Achiever Award, an award based on assessment ratings from a business' own customers.

Describe a favourite wedding gown you have created:
The 'Sylvia' gown which is part of my latest range. The cut of the gown is unique in that it suits both small and larger figures,
flattering waistlines and enhancing one's body shape. The line of the gown is further enhanced by the adornment of crystal beading.

What attracted you to bridal couture?
My attraction to bridal couture commenced from an early age. My mother, Teresa Romeo, taught couture techniques to others from an early age in Italy. Upon migrating to Australia she continued her profession. Therefore she initially taught me the profession before I attended formal training at RMIT
(BA Fashion).

How long does it take to make a wedding gown?
This can vary from an average working week to several months. I have never timed how long it would take from the initial canvas stage to completed gown. The merit in the gown is in the final outcome, regardless of the time it took to produce it.

What should brides-to-be look for when searching for their wedding gown? How do they know when they have found the right one?
Every bride is unique. When searching for her gown she should consider firstly the setting or the wedding. For instance, is it a church, garden, beach or chapel wedding, as it is pointless showing a bride a range of bouffant gowns if her wedding is taking place on the beach. As a couture designer, I advise each bride according to figure shape and reflection of character. Most brides attend consultations with family members or friends and therefore are given unbiased opinions of how they look. I allow each bride to choose what they would like to try on initially and then suggest what I feel would suit. It is satisfying to then see how ideas fall into place and the bride has found her dream gown.

In your early years of design did you have an inspiring mentor?
In my early years, an inspiring mentor was couture designer Desbina Collins. Before commencing my degree I worked for Desbina in the mid 80s. At the time she was the only Australian designer chosen to display her range in Figgins Diorama (then in Collins Street, opposite Georges). Desbina is now situated in Paris. She furthered my knowledge in couture design, and in particular commercial couture design.

How large is your team and are you involved in the creation of every gown?
Being a couture designer signifies
individuality, not mass production. Therefore, we pride ourselves on
quality, not quantity. Our team
consists of four where each person is assigned to a specific area. I involve myself in the creation of every gown, as I provide individual personal service by consulting and fitting all my brides. Therefore, I need to oversee each stage of the gown.

You have won several bridal industry awards, how important are these in bridal couture?
In 1998, I won the Annual Bridal Industry award for bridal
couture. I won a similar award in 2000. This year I was awarded the 2001 Australian Achiever Award for Melbourne's bridal and wedding services industry. These awards have been important to me as a couture designer as they reinstate the value of good customer relations in bridal couture, especially since these awards were awarded to me by my customers. The creation of a gown isn't only in a perfect design but in the way the gown is constructed and presented as a final showpiece. My belief is that practice does not make perfect. Practice makes permanent. It is only perfect practice that makes perfect.

What are your favourite fabrics and embellishments?
Silks, whether they are Thai silks, duchess silk satins, silk faille, silk
georgettes or silk chiffons. The
natural components of silk allow me the flexibility of moulding a design into a balanced structure. I do also work with man-made fabrics such as delustred satins. Each fabric is chosen appropriately for the design, as fabric and design need to work simultaneously. Favourite embellishments that are in vogue are delicate use of crystal beading, lace appliques and satin stitch embroidery.

485 High Street
Prahran East, Vic.
Phone: (03) 9533 8755