how long does it take for a design to develop from
concept to final piece?
Each piece will have its own journey, as all my pieces are custom made
to order and tailored to the individual, it will depend on the size and
complexity of the piece. Some could take just a couple of hours whilst
other major pieces could take up to 100 hours. In terms of editing, my
highest priority will always be, “is this what the client really wants”.
is there a different emphasis when designing to
compliment a wedding dress as opposed to a gown
for another occasion?
There is definitely a different approach when designing for weddings,
especially in terms of colour choice. Unless there is someone who
specifically requests colour, designing bridal pieces follows a more
traditional scheme of cream or white with pearls and/or crystals using
silver or gold to set the crystals in. What can be really exciting though
is to add texture and if possible to use the same lace being used in the
wedding dress to incorporate into the jewellery pieces. This adds a whole
other sentimental element in the design process, which is very special and
unique to each bride. I absolutely love hand-beading lace then finishing off
the piece with traditional couture techniques and hand-stitches. Creating
pieces for a wedding is also a personally esteemed role I enjoy as it’s such a
momentous occasion for the couple. I feel honoured to be chosen to make
pieces that will be worn on the big day.
what are your picks for future bridal styling trends?
There seems to be a big shift towards incorporating natural elements
like fresh flowers in the overall bridal look and décor setup as well as
handmade touches giving a slightly nostalgic feel. I really like these
movements as I think they give the day a lovely ambience. I would hope
and like to see this push further into a demand for more unique handmade
options and bridal styling, embracing the tradition of handing down a
precious piece or wedding gown from parents or grandparents, or at least
re-creating those styles and using them as inspiration to create a modern
twist for the current bride.