This Bride Wore Her Mom’s Custom Issey Miyake Wedding Look From the ’80s

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“If a fairy told us back in high school, ‘You two are going to get married,’ we probably would have been really shocked,” says art advisor Nikeyu Callaway. She first became close friends with James Augustine while they attended boarding school together in upstate New York, but she had another high school sweetheart. “So, James was never a romantic consideration,” she says. They reconnected years later after Covid and bonded over their shared love of balancing life between the city and the country, as well as their families’ artistic backgrounds. “It was really funny to just dive into a different type of relationship with him, but it worked so well,” says Nikeyu.

Nikeyu had a good idea that James, who works in real estate, was planning to propose one day when they took their dogs Maggie and Bear for a sunset walk on the beach in the Hamptons. They kept walking as she waited for a photographer to appear. “He got down on one knee, proposed, and Maggie, our English Springer Spaniel, just went nuts,” remembers Nikeyu. “She definitely has a little bit of a screw loose, and was just running around, getting wet, and going in the ocean. It just felt perfect, because we love our dogs so much and I feel like we were laughing the whole time.” Her engagement ring would serve as the first “something old” she would wear at the weddings: an heirloom cushion-cut Graff engagement ring set in gold.

Nikeyu admits that finding the fashion for her wedding was a bit daunting. “Honestly, I feel like I just started trying on any dress, even ones that weren’t typically my style,” she says. When she went to Monique Lhuillier’s store, she felt like she found a fit. “I was always attracted to Monique on other people, so when I went to the store, I knew I was going to find the one,” the bride says. She initially decided on a gown with a rose print and bubble hem that would be perfect for their plan to be married at a family backyard upstate.

However, the venue and vibes would need to shift. The couple decided to change their celebration to be hosted at The Bridge, a golf course near Nikeyu’s father’s home in the Hamptons. To fit the vibe of the new venue, Nikeyu decided to swap the dress’s print for a classic white and add some modern touches. “We customized the dress with a sweetheart neckline bust, convertible skirt, and cap sleeves,” she shares.

For her other wedding looks, Nikeyu wanted to find ways to honor her Japanese heritage. “For me, that began with Issey Miyake. He wasn’t just a designer—he’s actually the reason my parents met,” shares the bride. “My father introduced him to Irving Penn, which led to their long-standing creative collaboration and friendship. Issey remained close to our family and was even the godfather to my brother, who was named after him.”

Photo: Erik Clausen

Miyake had made a custom two-piece set for her mother to wear on her wedding day. Her family thought it was lost over the years, but Nikeyu stumbled upon it while looking through storage. While her parents were no longer together, that outfit still held such special meaning for the bride. “Finding it at the exact moment I needed it most felt like another act of fate,” she says. “I wore it to our rehearsal dinner at the Bridgehampton Inn and later that evening to our welcome party at The Watermill Center.” She paired the look with a high ponytail and Gabriella Kiss dragonfly earrings gifted to her by her mother-in-law. Nikeyu adds, “Gabriella is a beloved family friend and an incredible jeweler whose sons also went to boarding school with us.”

Photo: Erik Clausen

Later in the night, Nikeyu would change into a kimono her mother brought over from Japan. “I don’t think most people realize how layered and intricate wearing a traditional kimono is,” she shares. “In a beautifully chaotic moment before the welcome party, I wanted my two maids of honor to experience the process, and they helped dress me with my mom.” She jokes, “I was definitely late to my own party, but it’s one of my favorite memories of the entire weekend.”

Photo: Erik Clausen

The stormy wedding day arrived, and Nikeyu put on her custom Monique Lhuillier dress. High winds added to the drama of the ceremony, but the bride says it still felt so special. “In the middle of reading my vows, with wind, rain, mist, and sunset swirling around us, I was so grateful for the convertible skirt that added a layer of protection during such an emotional moment,” she says.

Photo: Erik Clausen

While Nikeyu initially planned to wear a pink Alexander McQueen gown for the reception, she says, “I was having way too much fun and never made the switch.” Once the after-party arrived, she was ready to shine the rest of the night in a long-sleeved sequin Simon Miller dress. “It made me feel like a walking disco ball,” she adds.

Photo: Erik Clausen

Reflecting on her wedding fashion, Nikeyu adds, “Every fashion choice we made was personal and rooted in legacy—honoring not only my family’s history, but also our shared story, and the people and cultures that helped shape us.”

Photo: Erik Clausen