Our First Wedding Custom: A Love Story Woven in Brocade
As we’re launching our DAWANG Made to Order service, I wanted to begin sharing the stories behind the custom pieces I’ve created so far. Every order carries a story, and the very first wedding custom will always be one of the most meaningful to me.
It was for the wedding of two of my best friends.
Designing a Fabric for Their Story
For this wedding, everything began with a custom brocade fabric designed by the bride herself.
I worked closely with her to translate her vision into a textile that captured the couple’s story in woven form. The design incorporated their last names within the pattern, a phoenix symbolizing love and good fortune, and subtle details referencing where they first met and where their romance began.
The color palette followed the theme of their tea ceremony: royal blue, yellow, and maroon red — colors the bride specifically requested to reflect the celebration.
The brocade ended up becoming more than just fabric for garments. It was used throughout the entire wedding — in the event décor, setup, and small details across the space, creating a cohesive visual language that tied the celebration together. 
Designing the Wedding Look
The bride came to me with a clear vision: she wanted a 肚兜-inspired top, reinterpreted into a modern bridal look.
I designed a structured top inspired by the traditional dudou silhouette, featuring a tie-back detail that created an elegant open-back moment while keeping the delicate lines of the piece. The top was paired with a maximalist skirt with full pleated volume and dramatic movement, creating a balance between traditional references and contemporary bridal design.
The gown was designed completely from scratch, based on the inspiration she shared with me. I developed the final design together with DAWANG’s co-creative director Ab, bringing the look to life through multiple fittings and adjustments.
For the groom, I created a matching suit set incorporating elements of the custom brocade so the couple’s looks felt connected.
And because weddings are about community, I also designed matching outfits for all of the best men.
Including myself — since I had the honor of being one of the best men as well.
A Memory Guests Could Take Home
One of my favorite details from the wedding was the gift bags made from the same custom brocade fabric.
Instead of disposable packaging, each guest received a small keepsake made from the fabric that told the couple’s story — something they could bring home, reuse, and keep as a memory of the day.
The Beginning of DAWANG Made to Order
This wedding became my first real test of a full DAWANG wedding customization — from designing a textile from scratch to creating garments for the couple and their closest friends, and even extending the fabric into the environment of the event itself.
It was incredibly special to see everything come together as the designer and best friend witnessing this one in a lifetime moment.
More than anything, it was an honor to be trusted with such an important moment, and deeply fulfilling to witness two of my closest friends begin their next chapter surrounded by pieces I helped create.
In many ways, this project planted the seed for what we are launching now.
DAWANG Made to Order is built on the belief that clothing can hold memory, identity, and story.
And this was where it all began. ✨
