“We come together, not just because of the fabric, but because of the the passion” – Aneta and Joseph Weinreich
What does the brand Henry Roth stand for?
As I was writing this, another bomb went off; two in Boston to be exact. The Boston Marathon. They were running to raise money for the victims of the mass shootings of children in Connecticut aged around 6 – 8 years old. I am very sorry, but there is something very wrong and we better start embracing that.
It’s time to hold close to what we believe and who we love and who is in our lives and make meaning of the things that we have control over.
Big time.
Somehow, because my parents Aneta and Joseph Weinreich escaped the slaughter of six million, (that is million) Jewish people during the Second World War;
because fathers and aunts and brothers and best school mates and teachers and doctors and lawyers perished – they have incredibly strong view points on many things.
When it comes to wedding gowns, wedding planning, love ever after - it’s one message. For the two of them after nearly 60 years of working and living together .
Just work as a team and be optimistic.
If you look at the sky long enough and are looking for the clouds… look harder and it will certainly rain on you. If you seek the sun you will find the sunshine – it’s that simple.
It’s in this atmosphere, that myself and my two sisters, first generation Australian Jews, were brought into this world.
My parents, whose own parents had experience in fashion in one side and on the other of all things in a bridal charity started lives in Australia separately, then met and six months later it was down the aisle.
Despite coming from the bleakest of moments when the human spirit is questioned, they never did.
Poor can’t describe my parents as they were so. But they are so very richly spirited – overflowing with “we can and we will!”
No money. No university as they were a bit preoccupied at the time with survival and were busy saving their lives; no formal training as such, nothing to lose as there was nothing to save but themselves and each other.
And they created what is now called Henry Roth (they started as Rainbow of Sydney).
What does this mean to you, or me, or your wedding dress created by commercial wedding dress designers? That being, when it comes down to it, us. Henry Roth.
I believe we have a heritage. A history. Lessons my parents have and actively do pass on, that we carry and that we work by. That we try and be like daily.
What is instilled in us one major thing.
We all beat with the same heart, the same blood, the same group of humanity that we are citizens of.
It means that to us, that all our brides are our celebrities, no more or less. Whether you are Jennifer Aniston of Broome, Western Australia, or Halle Berry of Hollywood.
It means that we try to be available to our brides; that we are transparent, that we involve ourselves with you if you wish until you reach the top of the aisle. It means that we care, that we take responsibility and that we are honoured and privileged to have the most incredible staff and authorised stores that have a heart and ethics and pride in their professionalism.
Together with YOU, our Brides, our amazing people from all over the world and all walks of life, all types of religion, all kinds of approaches – we come together – not just because of the fabric, but because of the the passion and genuine feelings .
This weekend past, my parents were able to tell some of their story on the acclaimed Compass program.
They also feature on Roth tv Channel 5 Rent-A-Parents.
You cannot know how proud we are of our parents and who they are and what they instilled in us.
It is this:
Love equally, respectfully, quietly, deeply.
Tags : ABC, Australia, Boston Marathon, bridal dresses, brides, Compass, Henry Roth, henry roth bridal gowns, henry roth wedding dresses, Michelle Roth, wedding dresses, weddings, Weinreich
It won’t be long before I will be joining the Today Show team from Australia in LA reporting on the aftermath of the 2013 Oscars frockathon.
I have focussed on the Top 5 most memorable gowns and how they influenced bridal style for inspiration and also to limber up before this year’s Oscars.
In at number 5 the amazing Heidi Klum showed us how it was done in 2008, absolutely flooring everyone with her silk taffeta John Galliano creation. She showed the carpet how it should be walked – like it is a runway! How did it influence bridal? Texture, flamboyance and daring to be different, with Galliano’s signature influence.
In at number 4, Donning Zuhair Murad in 2012, Jennifer Lopez outshone the little golden man himself, in a plunging and heavily embellished metallic number which suited her figure perfectly. If you are going to take on Oscar, this is definitely the way to do it. J Lo has a huge influence on brides daring to bare that decades ago would have been taboo.
In at number 3, the queen of the dazzling smile, Julia Roberts, made an equally dazzling move and really brought in the vintage movement with her stunning Valentino monochrome dress in 2001. She looked classy, confident and chic – three things guaranteed to make her post-win photo call incredibly memorable. She is the poster child for vintage – she was almost shocking in her originality and made brides re-embrace vintage, which has had a huge influence on today’s wedding gown styles.
At number 2, Barbra Streisand made Oscars history with her see through outfit in 1969 when she won for Funny Girl – not so much because of the material, but because it was – shock horror – a pants suit! This has led to a thousand imitations over the years, with interpretations ranging from Le Smoking to Sharon Stone’s white Gap shirt with a taffeta ball skirt. You may not think the outfit is particularly flattering, but it paved the way for the non-traditional being acceptable. Ms Streisand, always the ground-breaker! This was the era of Germaine Greer; women expressing their identity and daring to be different – a still continuing trend for today’s brides.
And finally – we have one of the new style leaders on the block. Rooney Mara, recent Vogue covergirl, has proven time and again in her relatively brief red carpet history that she simply gets it right. From her perfect Louise Brooksian bangs to her ruby red lips and pale, pale skin, her 2012 all-white Givenchy made best-dressed lists world wide – and she continues to not put a foot wrong. Number one in my style files this girl! What it has meant for brides? Being able to embrace the modern, fresh, less is more, pared down look. Striking silhouettes are all that is required.
See you on the red carpet…
Henry
Henry Roth will be seen on the Nine Network on Monday 25 February live across Australia.
Tags : Barbra Streisand, bridal gown trends, brides, Heidi Klum, Henry Roth, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Oscars, Oscars 2013, Rooney Mara
