Designer transitions skills learned from auto industry into fashion

Women's bodies and car designs may seem like two very different things, but fashion designer Bunker Hill Bradley knows that the appeal is all in the curves.

The automobile designer switched to women's fashion two years ago after his partner in life and business, Roselyn Poon, wanted to find a dress that could cover certain areas and enhance others.

He went to the drawing board.

"There's a hidden formula in each graphic pattern that enhances the female figure," Bradley said. "I use my artistic means to draw the eyes and attentions to certain areas of the body."

By using curves, colors and adding shading, he essentially uses the same technology he learned in the car industry to create his visual designs under the name Cobra Couture. The name came from the way the company's dresses slip onto a woman's body like a "second skin."

"Ladies who put on the Miracle Dress feel happy and feel like partying," Bradley said. "We take quite a different approach to fashion than most other people. For us, it's all about comfort."

The North Las Vegas couple said their clothing line is designed for women of any age and of any profession.

Without the use of buttons, belts or zippers, Bradley creates original pieces to highlight the female body. His dresses pop with bright orange and pink or aqua combinations.

After hearing one customer declare that the dress was a "miracle," the couple adopted the name Miracle Dress.

The dresses range from $180 to $275, depending on how much fabric is used.

"We tell people we're a happy brand," Bradley said. "I want to make every woman beautiful and to give women designs that genuinely enhance their beauty."

The fabrics are wash and wear and printed using the latest printing technology.

"Oftentimes, women get bogged down and stop paying attention to how they look. They don't realize that having a sense of style represents how you feel inside. It shows the world who you are," Poon said. "This is a brand for the woman who looks after herself and needs to look terrific but likes to be comfortable."

The dresses can be carried inside a handbag without wrinkling, Poon added.

Because the couple do not have prior experience in fashion, Poon wears experimental clothing designs to the Fashion Show mall or Beverly Hills to see the type of reaction it receives.

"Essentially, with any product development, I start off by researching what's out there, current fashion trends and what women like and complain about," Bradley said. "I didn't find anyone that made fashion that made women feel happy. There's a lot of similarity in creating beautiful shapes and color in 3-D that comes from the cars and translates to dresses."

In addition to their dresses, they have 30 styles of swing coats, which Poon describes as a European style, and they sell palazzo pants, which look like bell bottoms but are created with polyester-spandex.

Although Cobra Couture has only been a Las Vegas fashion name for roughly two years, it has received attention in the spotlight.

Bradley designed the 2013 costume of the wine angels of Charlie Palmer's Aureole restaurant at Mandalay Bay, and the company has done eight fashion shows around town.

From broadcast reporter to lawyers, Poon said locals are noticing their designs, but it hasn't come without its challenges.

"I wanted the colors to look as bright as they did on the computer," Bradley said. "It took me a while to find the right fabric, which is our little secret. It won't wrinkle, and you can take off a stain fairly easily."

Those interested in purchasing an item can set up an appointment with Poon, who will choose a well-fitting dress to start.

"When a customer comes in, I sort of have a look and ask them what they like about their body and what they don't like," Poon said. "Some people don't like their tummy, or they feel they have big hips. I will just pick out what I think is a good fit, and then I step out of the way. I've heard one woman say, 'My god, I lost 12 pounds.' "

Now with more than 600 designs of original artwork, the couple show no signs of stopping.

Bradley's future plans include creating a men's clothing line, and Poon plans to release a book on style called "How to get what you want with style" early next year.

The couple also donate fashion shows with their designs to charity events, meetings and fundraisers.

"Cobra Couture is like having a new set of skin," Poon said. "We believe that anything that helps people feel better about themselves is important."

For more information, call Poon at 949-241-3996 or visit cobraculture.com.

— To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.