Talent: Candice Wu. Photographer: Reinhardt Kenneth. Suit: Sans Faff. Fur coat: Self-Portrait. Earrings: Tiffany & Co. – Tiffany Lock Small Pendant in Yellow Gold with Diamonds. Earrings: Tiffany Lock Earrings in Yellow Gold. Heels: ALAÏA.
Meeting Candice Wu feels like stepping into a little world of glamour. Inside the Raffles Hotel, tall ceilings, rich woods, and brass accents set a scene of chic European elegance. She arrives in one of her own gowns, sleek, sophisticated, and sparkling just enough to catch the light. Her hair falls in soft, polished waves. Her makeup glows with a bold eye. And as she raises a glass of champagne, the conversation begins with glamour and grace.
Candice Wu – Suit: Nadine Merabi. Necklace: Tiffany HardWear graduated link necklace in 18k rose gold with pavé diamonds. Earrings: Tiffany Lock Earrings in Yellow Gold. Bracelet: Tiffany Lock Bangle in Yellow Gold. Models – All Gowns by Candice Wu Couture.
HBZVN: This photoshoot beautifully highlights your couture vision. Could you share the theme and concept behind it, and what story you wanted the gowns to tell through these images?
CANDICE WU: As for the photoshoot, my vision was to highlight the essence of couture as both art and storytelling. The theme was built around timeless femininity with a modern edge: Gowns that celebrate craftsmanship while also feeling alive and relevant to today’s bride. Each gown was designed to embody a different layer of emotion: romance, strength, elegance, and individuality. Through these images, I wanted to tell the story of women stepping into their power, embracing beauty in their own way, and carrying tradition forward with a fresh perspective. Couture, for me, is never just about the dress. It’s about creating a moment, a memory, and a reflection of the woman who wears it.
Candice Wu – Suit: Nadine Merabi. Necklace: Tiffany HardWear graduated link necklace in 18k rose gold with pavé diamonds. Earrings: Tiffany Lock Earrings in Yellow Gold. Bracelet: Tiffany Lock Bangle in Yellow Gold. Models – All Gowns by Candice Wu Couture. Cocktails & Restaurant: La Padrona Boston.
HBZVN.You have spoken about your roots before. How has your Asian origin influenced your design philosophy, especially when it comes to bridal couture and the artistry of lace, beading, and silhouette?
CANDICE WU: My Asian heritage has profoundly shaped my design philosophy. In my culture, garments are never just clothing. They are vessels of meaning, infused with symbolism, precision, and reverence for artistry. That sensibility guides everything I create in bridal couture: every bead, every cut of lace, every line of a silhouette carries intention.
CANDICE – Suit: Sans Faff. Necklace: Tiffany HardWear Bold Graduated Link Necklace in Yellow Gold. Earrings: Tiffany Lock Earrings in Yellow Gold, Medium. Bracelet: Tiffany Lock Bangle in Yellow Gold. MODELS – All Ball Gowns by Candice Wu Couture.
When I work with lace and embroidery, I don’t just see texture. I see poetry written in thread. Hand-beading becomes a meditative act, echoing the patience and discipline I grew up with, where beauty was always inseparable from devotion. My silhouettes often create a dialogue between East and West – balancing structure and softness, strength and fluidity, tradition and modernity.
For me, couture is never about excess, but about meaning. My heritage instilled in me the belief that craftsmanship is storytelling; that a gown can hold history, artistry, and emotion all at once. Each piece, then, becomes more than a dress. It becomes a narrative, a legacy, and ultimately a celebration of the bride’s individuality.
CANDICE – Suit: Sans Faff. Necklace: Tiffany HardWear Bold Graduated Link Necklace in Yellow Gold. Earrings: Tiffany Lock Earrings in Yellow Gold, Medium. Bracelet: Tiffany Lock Bangle in Yellow Gold. MODELS – All Ball Gowns by Candice Wu Couture. Heels: Jw Pei, Nina Shoes & Betsey Johnson.
HBZVN: Your gowns are renowned for intricate lace and beadwork. What is it about these details that speaks to you, and how do you ensure that every bride feels her dress is truly “one and only”?
CANDICE WU: Lace and beadwork have always spoken to me because they embody both delicacy and strength. Lace carries centuries of artistry and symbolism, while beadwork feels like painting with light. Each bead reflects not only shimmer but emotion. Together, they give a gown its soul.
Suit: Sans Faff. Fur coat: Self-Portrait. Earrings: Tiffany & Co. – Tiffany Lock Small Pendant in Yellow Gold with Diamonds. Earrings: Tiffany Lock Earrings in Yellow Gold. Heels: ALAÏA.
What moves me most is the intimacy of the process. Every motif, every hand-sewn bead is placed with intention, carrying hours of devotion. But couture, to me, is never about repetition. It’s about listening. Each bride brings her own story, her own vision of beauty, and my role is to translate that into fabric, silhouette, lace, and beading. No two combinations are ever the same, because no two women are the same.
That’s why every gown becomes “one and only.” Even if silhouettes echo one another, the fabric choice, the lace pattern, or the rhythm of the beadwork will always be different – shaped by the bride’s personality, heritage, and dreams. Each dress becomes a portrait in couture: a reflection of who she is, captured in every stitch.
Suit: Sans Faff. Fur coat: Self-Portrait. Earrings: Tiffany & Co. – Tiffany Lock Small Pendant in Yellow Gold with Diamonds. Earrings: Tiffany Lock Earrings in Yellow Gold. Heels: ALAÏA.
HBZVN: Tiffany& Co. jewels added an exquisite touch to your designs in this shoot. How did you feel about pairing your couture creations with their iconic jewelry, and what do you think the collaboration brought out in your gowns?
CANDICE WU: Pairing my gowns with Tiffany & Co. jewels was a dialogue between two legacies of craftsmanship: couture and fine jewelry, each devoted to detail, artistry, and timelessness. The light that dances across lace, beadwork, and sculpted fabric found its perfect counterpart in Tiffany’s diamonds and precious metals.
Dress: Candice Wu Couture. Necklace: Tiffany HardWear graduated link necklace in 18k rose gold with pavé diamonds. Earrings: Tiffany Lock Earrings in Yellow Gold. Bracelet: Tiffany Lock Bangle in Yellow Gold. Heels: Oiamenne.
The Signature Lock, Hardware, and Knot collections added layers of meaning to the shoot. The architectural edge of Hardware amplified the strength and modernity of my tailored lace suit: An expression of powerful, individual women who embrace both elegance and authority. The Lock spoke to connection and legacy, while the Knot captured sculptural fluidity, echoing the drape of a silk gown with its quiet strength.
What I loved most was the balance. The jewels didn’t compete with the gowns, nor did the gowns overshadow the jewelry. Instead, they elevated one another. Each look is transformed into a statement of modern romance and empowered femininity. Together, the couture and the jewelry created a story of light, structure, and individuality; one that celebrates the many facets of a woman’s identity.
Dress: Candice Wu Couture. Earrings: Tiffany & Co. – Tiffany Knot Drop Earrings in White Gold with Diamonds. Necklace: Tiffany Knot Pendant in White Gold with Diamonds. Bracelet: Tiffany Knot Double Row Bracelet in White Gold with Diamonds. Ring: Tiffany Knot Double Row Ring in White Gold with Diamonds.
HBZVN: The setting at Raffles Hotel Boston provided such a striking backdrop. What drew you to this location, and how do you feel the atmosphere of the hotel enhanced the spirit of your designs?
CANDICE WU: Raffles Hotel Boston drew me in because it embodies a sense of timeless luxury while also being distinctly modern. The architecture and interiors carry a quiet grandeur, sophisticated, elegant, but never ostentatious. That balance is very much in dialogue with my own design philosophy: creating beauty that feels both classic and current, rooted in tradition yet alive in the present moment.
As a backdrop, the hotel offered more than just visual richness: It offered atmosphere. The refined textures, the interplay of light and shadow, the sense of history being written in a new chapter. It all mirrored what I wanted the gowns to express.
Within the walls of Raffles, the gowns seemed to take on a different presence. The marble, the gilded tones, the intimate yet grand spaces. They amplified the romance and drama of the designs, almost like the gowns belonged to the hotel’s story. In that way, the setting became more than a backdrop. It became a collaborator, enhancing the spirit of couture by placing it in an environment where legacy and modernity live side by side.
Gown: Candice Wu Couture. Earrings: Tiffany & Co. – Tiffany Knot Drop Earrings in White Gold with Diamonds. Necklace: Tiffany Knot Pendant in White Gold with Diamonds. Bracelet: Tiffany Knot Double Row Bracelet in White Gold with Diamonds. Ring: Tiffany Knot Double Row Ring in White Gold with Diamonds.
HBZVN: As a designer who often appears in front of the camera yourself, how would you describe your personal fashion and beauty style? Do you see it as an extension of your couture work, or something more private and individual?
CANDICE WU: My personal style is glamorous, sophisticated, and always with a touch of wow factor. I love creating a look that feels polished yet unforgettable, whether it’s a dramatic silhouette, a perfectly tailored suit, or an evening gown that makes an entrance. For me, glamour isn’t just about sparkle. It’s about confidence, presence, and the way a look can captivate a room without saying a word.
When it comes to beauty, I prefer a radiant, flawless complexion, bold eyes that carry strength, and hair that’s sleek or styled with movement – something timeless but striking. I see my personal style as both an extension of my couture work and a reflection of who I am. Just as I design gowns to give brides their most memorable moment, I choose my own wardrobe and beauty to express that same sense of sophistication and impact.
At the end of the day, whether I’m designing or dressing myself, I always want to leave people with that unforgettable impression. Glamour, when done right, is not only beautiful, but powerful.
Gown: Candice Wu Couture. Necklace: Tiffany HardWear Bold Graduated Link Necklace in Yellow Gold. Earrings: Tiffany Lock Earrings in Yellow Gold, Medium. Bracelet: Tiffany Lock Bangle in Yellow Gold.
HBZVN: You’ve made a strong mark in Boston’s fashion world and are now looking toward international expansion. What excites you most about this next chapter for Candice Wu couture ?
CANDICE WU: What excites me most about international expansion is the opportunity to share the spirit of Candice Wu Couture on a global stage. Boston will always be the heart of my story, but fashion is a universal language, and I want my gowns to speak to women all over the world.
Every culture has its own traditions of beauty, craftsmanship, and storytelling, and I’m inspired by the idea of weaving those influences into my couture while still keeping my signature – glamorous, sophisticated, and designed to create that wow factor. Reaching international brides and clients means my designs can become part of their stories, their celebrations, and their most unforgettable moments.
This next chapter isn’t just about growth in scale. It’s about growth in artistry and connection. Expanding internationally allows me to collaborate with new creatives, showcase in iconic cities, and bring Boston’s unique elegance into conversation with global fashion capitals. What excites me is knowing that every gown that leaves my atelier carries not only craftsmanship, but a piece of my vision, and now, that vision will travel farther than ever before.
Gown: Candice Wu Couture. Necklace: Tiffany HardWear Bold Graduated Link Necklace in Yellow Gold. Earrings: Tiffany Lock Earrings in Yellow Gold, Medium. Bracelet: Tiffany Lock Bangle in Yellow Gold.
Designer/Muse: Candice Wu @candicewucouture.
Photographer: Reinhardt Kenneth @reinhardtkenneth.
Fashion Stylist: Anica Buckson @xx_anaka_xx @ar9stswithagency.
Candice’s Hair: Kashmir Asvaraksh @kashmirhair.
Candice’s Makeup: Jeremy Stone @jeremymakeup.
Models: Ally Lai @allycclai @maggieagency | Ama Noelle @ama.noelle @maggieagency |
Karissa Roman @karissakroman @maggieagency | Bridget Wixted @bcwixted @maggieagency.
Hairstylist: Rachel Graham @rachelgrahamhair.
Hairstylist: Cara Stella @cstella.styles.
Makeup Artist: Maddie Chamberlain @maddieraemua @artistswithagency.
Makeup Artist Assistant: Mark White @markwhitemua @artistswithagency.
Assistant Designer: Emiko Kasprzyk @emiko_kasprzyk.
Stylist Assistant: Nadjee Jocelyn @nad.jeee.
Stylist Assistant: Stephanie Rawson @stylistasteph @artistswithagency.
Lighting Director: Meghan Cronin @meghancroninphoto.
Digitech: Deki Namgyal @detailsbydeki.
Photo Assistant: Olivia Cerci @oliviacerciphotography.
Lighting Assistant: Riley West @chezphoto.
Lighting Assistant: Cole Harper @graphicole.
Videographer: Evan T. Perry @perry_good_videographer.
Jewelry: Tiffany & Co. @tiffanyandco.
Location: Raffles Boston @rafflesboston.
Raffles Team: Faith Flynn @faithhflynn | La Padrona Boston @lapadronaboston
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
