designer file: Jeremy Brandrick

I just love every aspect of each wedding i design stationery for. Each detail is part of the entire day. From the invitation and food to the dress and accessories. I just love to live vicariously through each of my brides – especially, when it comes to the dresses! I remember trying on oodles and oodles of dresses before finding “the one”. It wasn’t at all what i had imagined in my head and quite interesting how my style changed throughout the dress shopping process.

So, with that in mind, it was no wonder my heart started to flutter when i saw the work of Jeremy Brandrick. (I mean, besides being a pretty handsome gentleman) his designs are so pretty, feminine and just simple beauty. See for yourself! He gives a great interview and just imagine it with a British accent. I also love that my original background and degree was in interior design. So we have something else in common in addition to being in the wedding industry.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Well I grew up in Brimingham, England which is about 100 miles outside of London. I was originally studying to be an interior designer as my math wasn’t good enough for Architecture! Anyway, the fashion course seemed to be a lot more fun and faster paced, which suited my personality, so I swapped. I started studying fashion at the age of 17 and I have worked for some really top designer brands over the years. 5 years ago I decided to up sticks and move to New York. It had always been an ambition of mine to live in America as I love the people, I love the pace that New York moves at and I love the possibilities that the country inspires me to achieve. Without sounding too happy clappy!

How did you get started designing wedding gowns?

I originally started in the bridal market for a company in Nottingham 17 years ago. My boyfriend at the time was a hairdresser and he was doing one of the owners’ hair and mentioned I was studying fashion and it took off from there really. I was with them for 3 years. It was one of the nicest jobs I have ever had! A studio of women all sitting around sewing and beading and gossiping, we laughed non stop. They only made about a dress and a half a week but as their dresses used to retail for about $7000-10000 it was obviously more about the quality than the volume. I also used to work the bridal trade show in Harrogate which was really exciting, As well as meeting store buyers I also got to nose around to see what other designers were doing! I really just love the romance and beauty of wedding dresses, no other dress is ever going to be as special for a woman, and I love being part of that.

What makes you different to other designers?

I would like to say I bring my creativity and years of knowledge to this industry. I have worked with many top designers and have taken all I learned from them away with me. I love being hands on with the creative process instead of sitting in an office. I am terrible with technology, and without sounding ancient as I’m only 38, the internet wasn’t even around when I was studying! Anyway. I really enjoy meeting brides too as they are all completely unique, and it is my job to make sure that their dreams are fulfilled, and there is a lot of gratification in that.

Who/what are your design influences?

I can be influenced from anywhere really. Obviously I pay a lot of attention to current fashions as well as bridal trends, so there is a ton of research to do already. But when I really want to indulge I look towards Haute Couture, Balenciaga, Dior, Valentino, YSL to name some of my favorites.

Any advice to a bride choosing a wedding dress?

Have fun! This is the dress you are getting married in and is supposed to be the best shopping experience ever. If that falls below expectations then look elsewhere. A good ‘vendeuse’ is also important, and can often steer you towards the unexpected, which is always a pleasant surprise. And every single bridal magazine runs good advice on body shapes and suggests ideas for them. This is important a lot of the time, but also, rules can sometimes be broken to amazing effects.

Any dangers to look out for when wedding dress shopping?

Well like any shopping experience and at every stage of planning a wedding, set your budget and stick to it. It’s so easy to fall in love with the $20,000 dress when you can only afford $2,000 and we all do ourselves a disservice when we do. Also watch out for hidden costs in a dress, like expensive alterations or even shipping, all of this can mount up and can cost a lot of money, whatever budget you are working within.

Any last pieces of advice?

I think it is easy to fall into the trap of pleasing other people, but at the end of the day remember who it is all about, you and your fiancé, and celebrating your commitment to each other and the love you share together.

What are your weekend plans?

I’m off to Mexico tonight for the week to work on Sketches for a couple of lovely brides I am working with at the moment, then back home and into my next collection!

I hope you enjoyed! Visit Jeremy Brandrick for more images & special occasion wear!