Barbara Bonney Has Second Career at LUNA DressDesign

Courtier Barbara Bonney

Last April 14, on her 55th birthday, soprano Barbara Bonney opened LUNA DressDesign at Schwarzstraße 21 in Salzburg, Austria. After 30 years of singing in opera and concerts, the New Jersey-native fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning her own boutique. The concept arose from the singer not being to find the right dress for a concert performance. The dresses are designed primarily by Bonney herself, but she has managed to bring the young designer Petra Storrs on board by selling her creations exclusively made for Austria in the boutique. Storrs was named by London's Independent newspaper as one of the top 15 designers that will shape the art scene and she has designed for Lady Gaga as well as Florence and the Machine. The fashion at LUNA DressDesign focuses on the uniqueness of each couture piece for the individual clients. Obviously due to the nature of Ms. Bonney's life

Soprano Maria Bengtsson
wears a LUNA creation.

experience, there is a strong focus on couture gowns for opera singers and concertgoers. Dresses are designed using exquisite fabrics that are of the highest quality and resilience. The motto of the boutique is: "Everyone is Different." The designers strive to have expressive evening wear that is not only one-of-a-kind, but also specially individual for the client. The concept for many of the dresses, ranging from evening wear to summer dresses, is in the style of 1950s & 1960s. For locals, there is a plethora of Landhausmode which updates the famous dirndl design worn by Bavarians and Austrians. Recently the boutique has expanded into creating nightgowns and ready-to-wear dresses. The boutique also sells vintage dresses by Escada, Armani and Valentino. Often donated by famous opera singers, profits from the sale of these designer gowns benefits the Barbara Bonney Foundation where the singer is a mentor, coach and consultant for the new generation of singers. Visit the LUNA DressDesign boutique online here. Barbara Bonney is concurrently Professor at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria, and Guest Professor at the Royal Academy of Music in London, England. [Source, Source, Source, Source] A full biography of Barbara Bonney and more photos of LUNA creations are after the jump.