shop style
Sparkle & Shine
If you’ve ever needed something sparkly for a special event you’ll be familiar with Raimonds. A stalwart of the Perth fashion scene for the past 20 years, Raimond Castellano tells us about his passion for fashion. WORDS | Beverly Ligman YOU CAN’T WALK down the top end of Hay Street without a sparkly dress in Raimonds' window catching your eye. And while I may well be a bit of a magpie, Raimonds' has dressed so many Perth women over the years for school balls, bridesmaid’s duties, cocktail events and weddings, that I decided to find out the story behind the store. BL Why did you start Raimonds? RC I originally started Raimonds as a menswear boutique in 1995. There was a definite gap in the market for an intimate and personalisedstyle shopping experience offering premium, hand-picked and exclusive labels.
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SUBIACO: EAT DRINK SHOP
BL What do you love about dressing women in gorgeous gowns? RC Seeing our clients absolutely light up when they see themselves in their perfect gown is an amazing feeling and one I’ll never tire of. Knowing that I was able to make them feel so beautiful and confident for a special occasion is incredibly rewarding.
RC Having travelled to the USA many times to attend AmericasMart and World of Prom in Atlanta, as well as the Magic, Project and Liberty Tradeshows in Las Vegas, I’ve been incredibly lucky to source, work with and represent three fabulous US labels; Jovani, Faviana and Scala. I love all three of these brands as their collections are individually amazing and when combined, I really believe that they offer something for everyone.
BL Tell us how you started out in fashion? RC I grew up watching my mum work as a seamstress, so I guess that’s where my respect for and love of beautiful garments comes from.
BL How do you compete with the thriving dress rental market? RC Fortunately, the dress rental market is not an issue for me. Given the incredibly high calibre of the designers and labels that we represent, our gowns are not available in hire stores. The gowns are intended to be exclusive and luxurious, and being available in hire stores unfortunately diminishes the value of the brand.
BL Do you have a favourite brand that you stock?
BL Why did you decide to open in Subiaco originally?
