above and above right: as worn by Korean Song Yu Ah at a fashion show in Osaka.The world’s most expensive wedding dress, valued at 1 billion Japanese yen (Dh31.2 million, USD 8.4 million), has been created by Japanese designer
Yumi Katsura. It is made from silk-satin and embellished with zari-embroidery and 1,000 pearls, a green 8.8 carat diamond emblem and a five carat white gold diamond, which is one of only two in the world.
About Designer Yumi Katsura
As a pioneer of bridal fashion, Ms. Katsura is always at the forefront of this industry. She continues to realize dreams of the wedding through worldwide bridal events. So that she has become known "Missionary of Bridal".
Her various licensed total 30 throughout Japan. The annual gross sales of her brand reach 13 billion yen.
There are 4 direct management shops under her control in Japan, and her franchises now total 70. More than 30,000 brides wear wedding dresses designed by Yumi Katsura for yearly.
She staged bridal collection show throughout Japan as well as in such foreign locations as New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Barcelona, Monaco, Moscow, Bucharest, Singapore, Jakarta, Bombay, New Delhi, Honolulu, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian, New Delhi, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Ho-chi-minh.
Born in Tokyo, Japan. Graduated from Kyoritsu Women's University, Department of Apparel Science Studies, Faculty of Home Economics. Studied the techniques of haute couture in Paris at Les Ecoles de laChambre Syndicale de La Couture Parisienne.
Yumi Katsura's Website
Wedding attire designed by Yumi Katsura
-Ms. Nadia Comaneci and Mr. Bart Conner (Olympic Gold Medalist)
-Mr. & Mrs. Kazuyoshi Miura (Japanese soccer player)
-Mr. & Mrs. Masashi Nakayama (Japanese soccer player)
-Designed the wedding gown for Catherine Turner in the 20th Century Fox movie, "Jewel of the Nile."The special vestment for Pope John Paul II.
