In this month's great debate, Margery Au and Barney Cheng weigh in on the question that nobody really has the answer to

Photo Courtesy of Vivian Luk

Margery Au - YES

As much as I like to move with the times and keep abreast of the latest trends, I’m also a traditional individual, especially when it comes to important occasions. Since as long as I can remember, it has been customary in Chinese culture to wear something bright or pure white to weddings as a sign of happiness. Elegant as it is, black can symbolise sorrow and sadness, in my opinion. Would you ever consider wearing bright red, blaze orange, neon pink or the like to a funeral service? I think not. Adhering to traditional codes of dress is just a way to show your respect. On those rare occasions that I do see women wearing black to weddings, they would usually be carrying colourful handbags to minimise attention to the black outfit. I don’t think that’s ideal, but if you’re truly determined to wear black, then you can at least brighten your look with some colourful accessories.

Au owns PR agency The Venue and supports many local charities

Barney Cheng - NO

Regardless of the occasion, it’s respectful not to compete with your host in the wardrobe arena. Unless it’s a birthday you’re attending, auspicious, happy colours are strictly reserved for the hosts. For weddings, reds and most metallics should be reserved for the bridal party. A naive client of mine once wore a most angelic salmon draped jersey gown to her best mate’s wedding, matching the outfit with a to-die-for angel skin coral parure. Everyone else’s thank-you note came with a beautiful photo of the guests with the bride and groom but, unbeknownst to this client, the bride had taken offence at her pretty dress, thinking she looked too attractive. To make her disapproval known, she sent the guest a black-and-white copy instead. So if one doesn’t wish to be reduced to 50 shades of grey, be respectful, be smart, and don’t steal the spotlight from the hostess that evening. Attend in respectful and sexy black.

The director of design studio Yenrabi, Cheng is a celebrated fashion designer who specialises in couture wedding gowns

This story originally appeared in the May, 2015 issue of Hong Kong Tatler


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