Designing Dreams
"In a world of fast fashion, there’s something slow and magical about creating a bridal gown."
For Georgia Young of Georgia Young Couture, her dream of designing began when she was just 12 years old. From then she’s fashioned some of Australia’s most remarkable wedding gowns and her brand only continues to prosper.
Describing her style as contemporary, strong and a little sexy, Georgia Young Couture is quickly becoming the go to name for many brides-to-be, and with her noticeable designs Georgia has undoubtedly made her mark within the industry.
We sat down with Georgia to ask her a few questions, those questions we all want to ask any successful person; when did you start and what’s the secret behind your success…
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Tell us a little about your background and what lead you down the fashion path?
I remember waking up one morning when I was 12 years old and thinking ‘ I’m going to be a fashion designer’.
It was a bit of a light bulb moment and ever since then I have worked towards that dream.
My high school holidays were spent in front of the sewing machine, slowly filling up mum’s dining room table with sewing projects (that took 15 years to clear, once I got started) and every time I learnt a new sewing skill I craved to learn another.
For a person that jumps from one hobby to the next, this ‘sewing thing’ was staying for good!
Before launching my label I studied studied Couture at Melbourne School of Fashion, then worked at a fabulous Melbourne Couture house for 3 years.
Why wedding dresses?
I love the art form of Couture. Seeing a whole gown come together is something special.
In a world of fast fashion, there’s something slow and magical about creating a bridal gown.
What's so unique about your style?
Our style is very contemporary, strong and a little sexy. When I first started learning how to do pattern making, I became quite obsessed. I think this style of pattern manipulation has stuck with me.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Shapes. Anything with strong lines, curves, folds, and geometric lines will inspire me.
Tell us a little about the process of designing? What are the challenges and what are the rewards.
Designing for me works 2 ways.
1- I visualise what kind of vibe the gown has and then draw out ideas.
2- Buy the fabric first with no idea what I will use it for, then design around it.
Without trying to sounds completely up myself, designing is one of the easier parts of my job. My problem is having too many designs that I will never have the time to create. The challenge is picking what designs will be the strongest.
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How long has it taken you to build your brand?
I’m in my 4th year and it’s only now starting to take traction.
I still feel unnoticeable, but I have to keep reminding myself of where I started and how far I have come.
Any advice for up and coming bridal designers…
Figure out what your style is and don’t budge.
Give us a little insight into your day-to-day tasks at the studio…
Well, there’s always a lot of Chai involved and long hours in the workroom.
I’m normally up and ready to go at 6:30am. Then I get stuck straight in before my staff arrive at 7:30am.
We all work together collectively and for some reason there’s never enough hours in the day. There’s normally a few fittings and consultations, then emails, paper work, accounting, instagramming, dealing with issues, cleaning, ordering fabrics - too much for one day!
What is the most rewarding thing about your job?
My happiness.
I get to do this every single day and even though the hours are long and sometimes draining, it’s pretty ace that my business is my hobby.
What can we see from Georgia Young Couture in the coming years?
I don’t think that far ahead. But what I can tell you is that we are shooting our next Couture collection in Paris in a few weeks.
I think it’s my favourite collection so far and I can’t wait to see the results.
View more of Georgia Young Couture on Mr Theodore.