Christine Boyer has set herself a target: she aims at making future brides happy. What else could a woman who is about to get married dream of other than being the most beautiful of all on the most important day in her life? With Blanche Creations Ltd, her ‘small company’ as the owner-designer likes to call it, Catherine bends over backwards to make everything perfect on your wedding day.

Located just between the town-centre and the residential area of Rose-Hill, we are first tempted to think we are going to visit somebody at home. Surrounded by houses and a few flats, Blanche Creations is “hidden” in a side-road and had there been no sign at the beginning of the road, the company might have passed unnoticed. Marketing is usually done… by word of mouth – if you admired the dress of the bride at the last wedding you were invited to, and you learnt it was one of Blanche Creations you will obviously be her next customer!

<B>Confidential relationship</B>

There is no big fuss at Blanche Creations. It is all based on a very special and confidential relationship between the future bride and the designer. “All the lady has to do is sit comfortably in the sofa and relate her love story,” Catherine explains. The place is nothing like a shop where you buy ready-made clothes. The cosy and intimate atmosphere is more reminiscent of a living room where two friends are confiding in one another.

The future bride just sits and gives some details about the way she met her future husband for instance. Thanks to such details, the designer is able to have an insight into her personality and design the dress that should match her perfectly. “We take her own taste and desires into account but we are there to guide her in her choice. As soon as we agree on the concept, we can satisfy the craziest or the wisest desires,” the designer says.

In order to make the experience really successful however, the bride must accept to play the game. “Of course, the dress I design will always correspond to the personality of the wearer. It must also match her physical appearance. If someone wants to wear something I am sure will not be flattering to her, I will do everything possible to make her change her mind. I will suggest something, which corresponds better to her figure while making sure I keep some aspects of the dress she has imagined… I have already refused to work for some people for these very reasons.”

On the one hand, making a dress that won’t make the bride as beautiful as she should be is diametrically opposed to the company’s spirit. Catherine wants the bride to be perfect. On the other hand, she may not want Blanche Creations to be associated with something she does not believe in. The fact is that Blanche Creations is much more than a dress-making enterprise… Advice is a large part of the service available.

<B>Make-up and hairdressing</B>

Moreover, the company not only takes charge of the future bride but can also deal with the groom, the couple’s parents and the bridesmaids. “Ten years after your wedding, you may not remember everything but photographs are there to remind you of the special day. There must be a certain harmony in the way the couple is dressed… This is why we also design the bridegroom’s outfit.”

The designer’s job doesn’t end with the clothes; Catherine also supplies the accessories such as shoes and jewelry… The make-up and hairdressing are also part of the job. Catherine Boyer remains with the couple until the reception to make sure everything is perfect. Delivering the dress to the bride on the day of the wedding is an integral part of the job as well.

The greatest satisfaction Catherine can have is to see that people feel comfortable in her creations. This is precisely why she has chosen this niche. “Well, I’ve specialised in wedding clothes because people still get married…” she says laughing. “More seriously, I believe that wedding outfits provide the opportunity to be really creative. We can afford to be less ‘fashion victims’ than in shops. We just have to listen to the lady’s requests and work accordingly.”

Blanche Creations is not really fond of classical and conventional wedding dresses. Catherine Boyer rarely makes white dresses for these reasons. “I believe ivory better highlights the beautiful tan of Mauritian women…” As from the moment the bride agrees to be out of the ordinary, the designer has much satisfaction creating the outfit… from the most glamourous dress to the three-piece suit.

Christine likes the idea of doing “fine and beautiful work.” Asked if Blanche Creations can be considered as an haute couture workshop, she admits she doesn’t like the notion. “Haute Couture can give the (negative) impression of being very expensive… I respect customers and the materials but I am not Dior! I would need 20 years’ experience in such a company to be called haute couture.” On the contrary, she insists that her dresses are affordable.

“Every woman has the right to get married in the dress she has dreamed of. I can adapt to a minimum budget. Of course, the material will not be the same for a Rs 10,000 dress and a Rs 20,00 one. But the work and final touch will remain exactly the same,” Catherine asserts.