Amanda Wakeley takes time out of her busy schedule to give us some fantastic advice for brides, as well as an insight into her latest wedding dress collection.
Over the years, Amanda Wakeley has dressed stars like; Scarlett Johansson, Demi Moore, Kate Beckinsdale, Dita Von Teese, Charlize Theron, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mischa Barton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Helen Mirren and Kate Winslet. She has also had the honour to dress many members of Royal families, most notably the late Princess of Wales and Queen Rania of Jordan.
- 5 Star Weddings: Can you tell us how you started your successful business?
Amanda Wakeley: I started with a tiny collection that I sold to friends and friends of friends from a tiny design studio in Chelsea… everything was made to order.
- 5 Star Weddings: What influences you and your designs?
Amanda Wakeley: I find influences everywhere… I often say that as a designer your eyes are like sponges, constantly processing information, shapes, textures, colours, silhouettes….
- 5 Star Weddings: Which well-known people would you love to dress?
Amanda Wakeley: I would love to see Emily Blunt or Rachel Weiz in Amanda Wakeley… I think they epitomise the modern English woman, as well as being absolutely gorgeous.
- 5 Star Weddings: Can you tell us what inspired your latest collection?
Amanda Wakeley: Much of the Autumn Winter 2012 ready to wear collection was inspired by historical lingerie and corsetry, which has been translated into body contouring seams and graphic paneling that really sculpt and flatter the body. Many of the silhouettes stem from vintage couture but have been given a contemporary twist.
- 5 Star Weddings: What is your best advice for a bride choosing a gown?
Amanda Wakeley: A bride should always choose a dress that allows her be herself and stays true to her natural aesthetic…She should feel totally comfortable and confident that the dress is embracing and enhancing her and that her husband to be will turn to see the woman he loves not a complete stranger in a costume.. Remember your wedding imagery (both stills and video) will last a lifetime so be mindful of that when choosing your dress…
- 5 Star Weddings: What are your gowns recognised for?
Amanda Wakeley: I love the fact that the Amanda Wakeley bride comes to us for our signature look which is all about the silhouette, the fabric and celebrating the woman’s form…she wears the dress rather than the dress wearing her…
- 5 Star Weddings: At present whose style are you currently loving?
Amanda Wakeley: I personally believe that Britain has the most creative pool of designers in the world and that is one of the reasons I am incredibly proud to be British… .I love the fact that these designers each have their specific point of view.
- 5 Star Weddings: What is your favourite dress from your current collection?
Amanda Wakeley: One of my all time favorites is our Cleopatra dress – recently worn so exquisitely by Irish model Aoife Cogan when she married Gordon D’Arcy. She looked the epitomy of a modern bride.
- 5 Star Weddings: What fashion trends would you like to see more of within bridal couture?
Amanda Wakeley:Actually I dont believe bridal dresses should be about fashion trends… they come and go and your wedding imagery lasts a lifetime….However, the skill is combining modernity with timelessness… something I am constantly trying to achieve in my work
- 5 Star Weddings: What in your opinion makes a 5 star wedding?
Amanda Wakeley: Less is more but when each decision has been carefully considered so the whole wedding is a beautiful cohesive package from invitation to dress to flowers to food….
For more beautiful designs see Amanda Wakeley.
