DO you remember the two cover girls who appeared in the Shanghai Star in November two years ago? The two sisters - designers of wedding gowns - held their own joint wedding ceremony in the Moller Villa last weekend.

　　Of course, the ceremony was also like one of their own fashion shows displaying their in-house wedding gowns and evening wear.

　　Zhao Bo and Zhao Hua, who run the wedding gown studio "Rose Garden", have spent years helping brides realize their dreams of a special dress for their special day.

　　Working in the business for about six years in Shanghai, the Zhao sisters have lost count of the number of their happy bride customers - "maybe hundreds", they say.

　　"More and more women are inclined to employ professional designers to make wedding gowns for them," Zhao Bo said. "That's because the gowns sold in local stores are mostly of the same style and are not so finely made."

　　As a bridal designer, the first task is to be able to find which style is the most suitable for the particular bride.

　　Sophisticated, feminine detailing and sexy silhouettes should rule the wedding aisles. The design should play up to those physical attributes in which the bride takes most pride - shoulders, cleavage, waist or back, plunging necklines, strapless confections, backless beauties, ruffles, a properly placed bow or a uniquely feminine wrap.

　　"No matter what your body type, there's a perfect gown just waiting to accentuate your best features, and finding it won't be a nightmare," Zhao Hua said.

　　The Zhao sisters set a good example themselves.

　　Zhao Bo, the elder sister, who has a slim figure chose a simple, closely-cut wedding dress. The gown, in pure white satin, had only some small delicate decorations on the front that suited her slim figure perfectly.

　　Zhao Hua, the younger sister, chose a gown decorated with layers of laces in cream colours. She has a baby face and is a little more plump than her sister and the creamy lace accentuated her lovely looks.

　　"Be honest about your shape and then rely on our experience - let us work a little magic on hemlines, necklines and even sleeves and you will be a perfect bride," the two happy brides said.

　　Here are some suggestions from the Zhaos and Elegant Bride for brides with different figures to choose the right gown:

　　Triangle (Lower body is wider than upper body): Full skirt to minimize heavy legs and hips. Decorative bodice to attract the eye to the upper body. Shaped neckline to draw attention upwards. Elongated waistline adds height. Full sleeves extend shoulder line.

　　Rectangle (A long and narrow shape): Full skirt with horizontal detail adds width. A classic sheath style is ultra-sophisticated. Decorative detailing on the neck, skirt or sleeves to attract attention away from the bodice. Elaborate sleeves call the eye outward.

　　Inverted Triangle (Upper body is wider than lower body): Special skirt detailing calls eye downward. Modest neckline reduces upper body width. Elongated waistline adds height. Simple sleeves flatter natural shoulder line.

　　Hourglass (A curvaceous figure): Balance a softly gathered skirt with a lightly embellished bodice. Accent bustline with a deep neckline or off-the-shoulder bodice. A fitted waistline shows off a tiny waist. (By--Xu Xiaomin)