Happy Wednesday everyone, I hope you are having a fantastic week and yeah it’s hump day! I certainly have not been happy with this snowy weather we have been having but I figure if I bring you some spring posts then that should move things along, right?
Today on the blog I get to feature a new brand and one that is right here in Canada which makes me especially happy. I had the opportunity to meet some of the amazing team from Henkaa this past summer at the Fuller Woman Expo where they provided the dresses for all the amazing contestants. I was really impressed with the quality of the dresses and the things they have done to set their convertible dresses apart from others.
And as always I am a sucker for a good back story. The word Henkaa means change or transformation in Japanese. The founder of Henkaa, Joanna Duong Chang (or simply Jo) saw herself as:
“just another woman trying to navigate her way through this little thing called life. Like the rest of us, she’s spent hours in front of her closet never knowing what to wear, how to pack light, how to transition from pregnancy to motherhood, and what the heck to do with her stash of bridesmaid dresses that she paid way too much for but never got to wear again.”
From that, the concept for the brand was born and everything they do revolves around the concept of change – “Your style changes, your waistline changes, your life changes. But if everything is always changing, shouldn’t your fashion change with you? Each and every garment we create is convertible and can be worn in multiple ways. The sum of one product is infinite and is only bound by creativity.”
Their showroom is located right here in Toronto so I finally got the opportunity to go and visit in December and play a little dress up and let me tell you it was so much fun! The showroom is beautiful with many dresses on display showing many of the numerous ways you can style this dress.
I am wearing probably what is their most popular style, the Sakura Maxi dress. Their dresses are one size fits all so they have one which fits sizes 0 to 14 and a plus version which fits 14 to 24. So yes you may be wondering as a size 26/28 why I bothered to try them. But what do I always say? You never know until you try and I was pleasantly surprised with the generous fit.
This dress currently comes in 27 different colours and can be worn over 60 different ways. I am wearing the teal which is no longer available but it also comes in a gorgeous dark teal. And not to worry they have very helpful video tutorials to walk you through how to achieve your desired look.
I love the fact that the dresses are made in North America, they are made from their signature Lenaa fabric which is 92% polyester and 8% spandex, they are wrinkle resistant and machine washable in their super handy mesh laundry bag and the skirt has a raw edged hem. This style retails for $168 CDN which is a great price point for a bridesmaid or special occasion dress.
While Henkaa is clearly well known in the bridal market and many might only think of them for bridesmaid dresses but I think they are perfect for any special occasion and could easily be dressed down with a flat sandal and a jean jacket if you wanted. And because they travel so well I would definitely take this on a cruise for formal night.
For me what sets them apart is the extras that they offer to make your dress your own and add that extra bit of glam. They offer a variety of brooches and necklaces that you can wear with your dress. As a lover of all things bling, I was thrilled when they brought me this beauty to try out. And once it was on I had to have it.
But maybe you want something more subtle and they have options for that too. They also have fabric flower rosettes that you can use to style your dress, wear in your hair or add to your shoes. And if you want some arm coverage they have many different shawls and scarves to choose from.
And probably my other favourite add on is the chiffon overlay skirts. These are made to order so you will need to make sure you plan ahead if you want one but they add that extra flowy layer that will allow you to do some colour blocking or just elevate your look. They even have some in floral patterns which would allow you to have some fun with your look.
I appreciate a brand that caters to all sizes, especially when it comes to being a bridesmaid. It allows everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy the process. Being plus size it can often be overwhelming to be asked to be in a bridal party because of the insecurities of being able to find a dress in your size and the unfortunate comparisons we often make to the thin girls in the group. If you are looking to dress your bridal party, the recommended ordering time is a minimum of 12 weeks in advance.
To make this dress my own I added my sparkly heels from Eloquii and a statement clutch from Cameo de Bore. I loved how all the sparkle played against the statement brooch. I then added just a simple stack of bangles.
Overall, I love that the way you style your dress ends up being a reflection of you and your personality. Our differences are what make us special and unique and they should be celebrated.
Thanks to Rob of Robert Skuja Photography for the stunning images of this look.
Dress by HENKAA | Brooch by HENKAA | Shoes by ELOQUII | Clutch by CAMEO DE BORE | Bangles by PENNINGTONS |
