BACKGROUND: After studying fashion design I got a job at a bridal label. There I noticed a gap in the market for hand made items for brides. They were looking for personalised garters and head pieces instead of veils and I started making bits and pieces and contacted a couple of stores in Adelaide who were happy to stock my items.
CHALLENGES OF THE BUSINESS: It’s been good going through the stockist’s and they will email me or call me with what they need. Normally I will make some samples for the client and they chose what will suit their needs.
INSPIRATIONS: My biggest inspiration is the fabrics I use, coming from a bridal background I deal with French laces, silk fabrics, the high-end fabrics. I was always creative, from a young age I was always sketching and making clothes for my dolls. A designer like Alex Perry is an inspiration with what he has done with evening wear and bridal wear. He has made it quite modern, Collette Dinnigan also.
FUTURE PLANS: Just recently my business has taken a turn into mainstream fashion by creating head pieces for the Melbourne Cup and the Adelaide Cup but after christening my niece and realising there wasn’t a lot to wear in the christening field, I want to get into that market.
WHAT WOULD YOU WEAR TO YOUR WEDDING: I would design my wedding dress myself and I would lean towards a modern, unusual piece, that would feature French beaded lace. I’d love to change dresses from the church to the reception but it’s hard to say as the dress would be designed depending on the location and season of the wedding. But I would definitely wear a personalised head piece.
CONTACT: ph: 0412 060 694 email: katherine@ princesscouture.com.au web: www.princesscouture.com.au