6 Inspirational Women Who Are Leading The Way In Bridal Fashion

To celebrate International Women’s Day we take a look at some of the women within the wedding industry who are leading the way in bridal fashion and being inspirational in their everyday lives too! From finding out about who has been the most influential characters in their lives to them sharing how they take care of their mental well-being AND they have their expert advice for brides to be too! Let’s take a look at what these 6 inspirational women in bridal fashion have to say…

Alison – Alyce Jayne Bridal

Who’s been the most influential character in your life/business life?

I don’t really have any one person! I’m blessed to have lots of amazing people in my life. In terms of women, I have lots of strong supportive women in my life. My mum is amazing and always encourages me to go for it with the business as well as helping out with the kids to allow me to do so (along with my Dad!) As does my mother-in-law, always helping out with kids to let me work and encouraging me with the business. My sister, my daughters, and all of my female friends are very supportive too and help out when they can. I have three kids, two girls and a boy. I want to show them they can achieve anything too. My husband is very supportive, he’s very busy with his own self-employed business but always finds time for us. He’s so laid back with everything I find that rubs off on me and helps keep me calm. It also helps that we can have a good laugh with each other, and with the kids.

Do you have a muse when designing?

Again, not any one person. My designs can be styled in different ways by different women. She’s definitely an individual looking for something a little different from the mainstream. She’s a little bit of everything! A beautiful contradiction of what a woman ‘should be’. A little bit bit of a rebel, quirky, fashion-forward, her own muse. Loves a little bit of romantic style, loves vintage, a little bit edgy with a hint of rock n roll. She’s a girly girl and a tomboy all in one. I think people like Gwen Stefani, Paloma Faith. The girl who was the quiet geek at school who was actually the coolest of them all and is now being the queen that she is rocking her individual style!

How do you want women to feel when they wear your designs?

I want them to feel like a starlet, an individual, comfortable and beautiful, like the best version of themselves.

Have you had any barriers as a woman in your career and how have you overcome these?

I think in many cases it’s much easier for a man to set up their own business and commit to it 100%. Women need to balance everything else alongside their business such as the housework, looking after kids, and a part-time job. I’m lucky to have good support but it’s still a juggle! You also feel the mum’s guilt if you’ve had to work long hours. That’s why it’s important to look after yourself and have some downtime to recharge and have family/friends time.

Do you have a motto or favourite quote which inspires you or you stand by?

I have a Pinterest board full of them. I love ‘Make someone smile today, but never forget you are someone too’.

How have women inspired you to be a better designer?

I love how women come in all shapes and sizes and love it when a woman shows off and embraces her figure. Each person can look so different in the same design. That’s why I especially love corsets. Everybody looks and feels amazing in one! One woman can look tall, statuesque and willowy in it and the next can look like a curvy Hollywood vixen in the same style of corset, equally as beautiful. Embrace your own body. All of my gowns can be adapted for different body shapes. If you don’t like a separate bodice and skirt that flashes a bit of tummy, we can make it into a dress!

Have you made any mistakes along the way and how did you learn from them?

I’ve made lots of mistakes trying out different things. It doesn’t do you any harm to fail at things. I’ve just learned to pick myself up, move on and keep going.

What’s your advice for a bride-to-be?

Be yourself and don’t compromise regardless of other people’s opinions. Lots of people will want to pipe in with their opinion on what you should or shouldn’t do. How you look in the dresses you try on, etc. Make sure to only include supportive people in your planning.

As a female designer and businesswoman, what’s your one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Make sure it’s something you are passionate about and really love because you will need to put in lots of hours. Do lots of research into your business area. Then go for it! You’ll never be fully ready, you can learn along the way. Take all the support you can get and find yourself a cheerleader/mentor with experience in the business. Make lots of connections with other suppliers. You will make lots of mistakes! Pick yourself up and keep going! Know you’re worth, don’t undercharge. You’ve studied/worked hard to build up the skills that you’re selling, that’s what people are paying for, you’re experience.

As a busy woman, how do you take care of yourself and your own mental well-being?

I do lots of exercise including running and yoga. If I don’t manage to fit this in I can really feel a difference in my mood and energy. I’ve experienced burnout a few times and it’s horrible so I know now when to listen to my body and take a day off.

SEE MORE FROM ALYCE JAYNE BRIDAL HERE

Eden – Eden Keshia Bridal

Who’s been the most influential character in your life/business life?

I would say my mum has been a great influence in my life and business right from the start! She had always supported any artistic flair from an early age and encouraged painting, drawing and crafts no matter how messy. Wearing her 1980s clothes which she thankfully saved, and seeing her style in old photographs shaped my love for clothing and vintage fashion.

Do you have a muse when designing?

For our couture experience, I always have a muse which is the bride! It’s really rewarding to create a design that is solely for one individual, capturing all of the design details that are important to the client and ensuring they feel their best on their wedding day. The latest collection features bridal outfits which all have their own muse; each look is inspired by Grecian Deities and Goddesses, all with their own personalities, silhouettes and aesthetics. My closest friends came into the design experience for this too, as each outfit reminds me of them. For example, our Hebe gown is inspired by my good friend Chloe. Hebe is the goddess of youth and the prime of life – I immediately thought of Chloe when researching, and designed the silhouette for Chloe – a perfect gown for dancing in! I’d find it hard to design without a muse, I’m really inspired by all the women I meet.

How do you want women to feel when they wear your designs?

Glamorous, confident and empowered. Most of all, I want them to feel as if they are being seen in their best light, in a gown that reflects their personality and style.

Have you had any barriers as a woman in your career and how have you overcome these?

I think all women have come across some sort of barrier in their careers. It’s important to try and focus on the end goal and not feel too defeated at any minor setbacks.

Do you have a motto or favourite quote which inspires you or you stand by?

I love Vivienne Westwood’s quote which I have noted down at the front of every sketchbook I’ve had since University; ‘Buy less, choose well, make it last.’ The slow fashion movement is something I’ve always been passionate about, and the techniques we use in the atelier are designed with this in mind.

How have women inspired you to be a better designer?

Each bride I have the pleasure of meeting inspires me in their own way. Having their trust in such an important design is something I’m really grateful for. It inspires me to be better and put more energy into each design.

Have you made any mistakes along the way and how did you learn from them?

Yes! Trying to do everything at once isn’t always the best idea, patience and planning are good qualities to have and allows room for the creative process.

What’s your advice for a bride-to-be?

To plan a wedding that reflects your personality and a gown you feel your best in. Dress shopping and wedding planning can be overwhelming, but if you choose what’s best for you without worrying about traditional formalities there will be no regrets after the wedding day.

As a female designer and businesswoman, what’s your one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Always value the professional relationships you make; connections can open doors to opportunities, and it’s important to respect other professionals and their talents, experience and knowledge. There are so many talented people out there, and being kind and humble costs absolutely nothing. Work from a place of community not competition; lift others up when you can and trust that others you meet may do the same in the future.

As a busy woman, how do you take care of yourself and your own mental well-being?

It’s a tricky balance and I think everyone has times when the work-life balance is perhaps a little skewed towards work around busy projects. I try to check in with my mental health more around these times, and schedule relaxing things to look forward to after a deadline. I personally find exercise helps massively for my mental well-being, as well as planning time with friends and weekends to switch off.

SEE MORE FROM EDEN KESHIA BRIDAL HERE

Maud and Katerina – Maudika Bridal

Who’s been the most influential character in your life/business life?

Probably my grandma, who taught me to sew and gave me a passion for sewing and crafts when I was a little girl.

Do you have a muse when designing?

Not really. I think about all women, and what they might want, but mostly I design something I love and would want to wear!

How do you want women to feel when they wear your designs?

I want them to be comfortable in the gown, being themselves and feeling like they can do whatever they want on their special day. Walk with the dress, run, dance, eat, without any barriers and constricting boning for example.

Have you had any barriers as a woman in your career and how have you overcome these?

As a girl in fashion school amongst dozen others, they tended to favour the males, who were supposed to be more creative. Other than that, I don’t really feel like there have been any barriers in my carrier.

Do you have a motto or favourite quote which inspires you or you stand by?

Less is more. I remind myself of that when I want to add too many details to a gown and it starts to be confusing!

How have women inspired you to be a better designer?

By meeting more and more brides-to-be, and being a bride myself, I could understand their desires and demands and adapt my way of working to meet their requests and help them having the best day!

Have you made any mistakes along the way and how did you learn from them?

Of course, who doesn’t?! It taught me to be resilient and never give up. When I start something, I like to go until the very end!

What’s your advice for a bride-to-be?

Choose a dress that feels like you, not a dress that your mum or your friends want you to get.

As a female designer and businesswoman, what’s your one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Competition is hard, but you are unique and special and you can stand out if you stick to your ideals and your own style.

As a busy woman, how do you take care of yourself and your own mental well-being?

Taking some time for myself, having a bath, a date by myself in a coffee shop with a nice book. It’s nice to get that time for you and forget about the rest of the world and our problems.

SEE MORE FROM MAUDIKA BRIDAL HERE

Sophie – Sophie Rose Bridal

Who’s been the most influential character in your life/business life?

My Mumma is definitely the most influential and inspiring woman in my life. Not only is she my biggest cheerleader, but she was also a single mother to me and my siblings, so I grew up believing that we as women, could do anything, just like she did. Although she may not believe it, she’s incredibly strong and her vulnerabilities only make her stronger. As well as my Mum, some of my best friends have come through working in the wedding industry. I’m SO grateful for them and knowing you have your little team who are always there for advice, support, or a new perspective if you need it, is very empowering.

Do you have a muse when designing?

I wouldn’t say I have a particular muse when designing, it’s all about women in general and empowering them when wearing one of my dresses or spending time with me in my cosy studio. There is no definition of a ‘Sophie Rose Bride’, I really just want to create dresses that make women feel wonderful, no matter what background, age, career, or size – anyone is welcome. The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the look on my bride’s face when they try their dress on for the first time in my studio and you can see how it makes them feel magic – there’s nothing more special than that.

How do you want women to feel when they wear your designs?

I want women to feel like their best, truest selves. The most comfortable and confident version of themselves, which I truly believe can be achieved by choosing the right dress. My first ever bride described her dress as being ‘so comfortable and I felt absolutely beautiful in it. It also turned out to be the perfect dress to hug, eat and dance the night away in!’, that sums it up just right for me.

Have you had any barriers as a woman in your career and how have you overcome these?

I think we’re very fortunate to be in an industry that is female heavy and everywhere you look, other women are lifting you up while absolutely excelling in their own business. Girl power is all around! Being young and particularly early on in the business, I felt like I was underestimated or like I hadn’t earnt my stripes. But I knew my experience and what I was capable of and that saw me through. The more the years roll on, you gain even more courage to trust yourself and your instincts, which is a wonderful feeling. As much as you can, be your own cheerleader!

Do you have a motto or favourite quote which inspires you or you stand by?

As cliché as it may be, I really do believe that everything will always work out, even if it’s not as you expected. You have to trust the process and although we all go through some really tough times in various different ways, I’ve always experienced that things work out the way they should. It might be that you learn something from the difficult situation, it may lead you down a path you didn’t expect, but it always works out more than okay.

How have women inspired you to be a better designer?

I’m constantly inspired by the women who walk through my studio doors. They inspire me to be a better designer by purely believing in me. Even when I may be having a confidence knock or suffering from imposter syndrome, the comments my brides make about their dresses, or my designs always reignites my confidence. There’s also a lot of chat about body insecurities and I find this super interesting and helped with designing dresses that flatter the natural figure. I feel like I’ve become a more thoughtful designer by listening to what my brides tell me about what they want and how they want to feel.

Have you made any mistakes along the way and how did you learn from them?

Of course, we’re all human right?! But these are your learning lessons and none of us start out as experts, we’re always growing and learning. I think it’s a case of trying not to let yourself feel too knocked back the mistake or failures. Although it’s SO much easier said than done, dust yourself off and think about how you might do things differently next time or what you can take away from that experience.

What’s your advice for a bride-to-be?

I’d say try not to overthink it too much. You want to try and find a dress that makes you feel comfortable, confident and beautiful in, that’s really all that matters. If you can, find 2-3 designers/boutiques that suits your style and values and go from there. It can become really overwhelming and confusing trying on loads of dresses so try to keep the process simple. Also, only take a couple of your most trusted loved ones when choosing your dress, other people’s opinions can have such a huge effect, even if you love the dress! If you want to include more people in the dress experience, you can always do this through your fittings/alteration process, but you then don’t have to worry about any of your party giving you their opinions about the dress. And enjoy it! It really is such a fun process.

As a female designer and businesswoman, what’s your one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Trust yourself and your ideas. There’s room for everyone and no one can be you, so celebrate that and run with it. Know your values, style and what you believe in and that will shine through to your potential clients.

As a busy woman, how do you take care of yourself and your own mental well-being?

Being outside in nature is a huge switch-off for me. I’m very lucky to have access to our beautiful countryside right on my doorstep and a simple dog walk can be all I need to feel refreshed and ready to go again! I often get my best ideas when outdoors, be it by the ocean, cold water swimming or walking in the fields. Even better when I get to do these things with my special people and my dog Joey!

SEE MORE FROM SOPHIE ROSE BRIDAL HERE

Miina – Indiebride London

Who’s been the most influential character in your life/business life?

The most influential character in my business life has been Minna, the founder of Indiebride London from whom I adopted the business 4 years ago. For years I watched her run the business, make mistakes and achieve her goals. Some of the most influential characters in my life have been my three siblings who have always supported me and had my back.

Do you have a muse when designing?

I like to think of my brides as my muse as cliche as it sounds. But they are who I’m designing for. Oh and also Stevie Nicks and other cool hippie babes.

How do you want women to feel when they wear your designs?

I want women to feel gorgeous and comfortable. I want them to feel like the best version of themselves and that they can take all the attention on their wedding day with confidence by wearing the beautiful sustainable wedding dress made just for them.

Have you had any barriers as a woman in your career and how have you overcome these?

No. I don’t think being a woman has ever created any barriers for me, in business or in my private life. My barriers come from for example running a business in a language that isn’t my native language as it makes for instance understanding legal lingo or writing a blog post or any copy a bit more difficult.

Do you have a motto or favourite quote which inspires you or you stand by?

I haven’t had a motto or a favourite quote but I recently bumped into a beautiful one that might just become one for me. “People will soon forget what you said. They will never forget how you made them feel.” -Dr. Maya Angelou-

How have women inspired you to be a better designer?

My brides have inspired me to design wedding dresses that they feel comfortable in. The style is important as every bride wants a beautiful dress but making the beautiful style comfortable is as important to me and my brides. And fashion designers like Dame Vivienne Westwood remind me to not always stay where it’s safe but to take risks with different designs and that it’s okay if it didn’t work, it will next time.

Have you made any mistakes along the way and how did you learn from them?

I have spent a lot of money doing things that, in hindsight, were not the best things to spend money on. But I try not to regret anything but take it as a lesson. I have learned that not all people who offer you services are to be trusted and that I should think not twice but three times about whether something will be beneficial for my brand and business or not.

What’s your advice for a bride-to-be?

It’s hard to give only one piece of advice, but if I have to, it would be to do your research. Know the style, price range and turnaround time of the brand whose showroom you’re visiting. I’ve met brides in our showroom that thought that because we sell wedding dresses they can find their perfect corseted wedding gown from Indiebride London which specialises in soft structured bohemian wedding dresses.

As a female designer and businesswoman, what’s your one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

I would advise anyone aspiring to be a business owner to listen to successful business people. Check out The Diary Of A CEO podcast for example. Or read Holly Tucker’s Do What You Love, Love What You Do book. Absorb the experiences and advice of the people who have done it before you and done it successfully.

As a busy woman, how do you take care of yourself and your own mental well-being?

Over Christmas, I basically spent three weeks in bed writing and doing admin work. There were days that I didn’t even go outside. I get lost in my work sometimes whether it’s designing or admin. I got quite depressed over those weeks and have noticed now that I need to have a clear routine and structure in my life. To prevent myself from sinking into bad vibes I try to do three things every day. Do a little yoga session in the morning as moving my body in any way makes me feel physically better and mentally better about myself. Not to open social media except for work purposes as people on social media don’t behave like they would in real life and the media makes headlines just for clicks. I listen to audiobooks or podcasts while making dresses. I mostly work alone and listening to other people talk about their experiences makes me feel inspired.

SEE MORE FROM INDIEBRIDE LONDON HERE

Jayne – Camille Headpieces

Who’s been the most influential character in your life/business life?

In life – my dad who is no longer with us. He was my biggest supporter, but he didn’t get to see my achievements. My sister has also passed and her influence is always with me because she was the kindest person I know… so I try to be kind too. In business life – Undoubtedly, Alexander McQueen. He did his own thing and was so innovative… an absolute genius in my opinion. The film documentary about his life was incredible.

Do you have a muse when designing?

Audrey Hepburn … the epitome of style, classy and so beautiful. I always say to myself ‘can I envisage this on Audrey?’

How do you want women to feel when they wear your designs?

Glamorous with a capital ‘G’!

Have you had any barriers as a woman in your career and how have you overcome these?

In my previous career yes but in the bridal industry absolutely not.

Do you have a motto or favourite quote which inspires you or you stand by?

’In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different’ Coco Chanel (this is on the wall of my studio!

How have women inspired you to be a better designer?

I absolutely love the work of my designer competitors, they inspire me to continue to create in my own signature style as they have in theirs.

Have you made any mistakes along the way and how did you learn from them?

Naively, I didn’t realise how many hats you need to wear such as your marketing, PR, social media and SEO hats!

What’s your advice for a bride-to-be?

Don’t limit yourself and stick to a preconceived idea. Be open to trying designs that you think wouldn’t work and you might be surprised.

As a female designer and businesswoman, what’s your one piece of advice to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Be prepared to adapt to the ever-evolving business path you are on and if you can’t get to where you want to be via a direct route, then try another path…. You’ll get there if you persevere.

As a busy woman, how do you take care of yourself and your own mental well-being?

Watching true crime!! I follow a lot of current cases in the USA where you can watch live trials, mostly murders. Yes, I know I’m weird. Also, travel.. I love Barbados. Also a Francophile and follow a lot of people renovating chateaus on YouTube….too many