We caught up with Emma Shard, Creative Director behind the Emma Hunt London brand, for tips on how to get the best bespoke experience with a designer of choice and create the dream dress.
5 Star Weddings: Most of us only get one opportunity to choose a wedding dress, and it can be a very daunting experience. What advice do you give brides when choosing their dress?
Emma Shard: Try a lot of things and keep an open mind, but remember that it is essential to be true to your standard, natural style. Ultimately, you’ll be most comfortable and content with something that makes you feel like yourself —just a very special version of you! I can offer my expertise and insight on the right tone and weight of fabric that would suit your frame and colouring, to the little things that are often overlooked yet can make the difference between simply wearing a beautiful dress, and making you look your most radiant, gorgeous best in a dress that amplifies and enhances all your best attributes.
5 Star Weddings: How important is it to find the right designer?
Emma Shard: It is just as essential that, style-wise, you are a good match. You should choose a designer that you are comfortable with and feel a real connection to. Having a bespoke dress made for you is also your personal journey, one where you’ll need to have complete faith and trust in your designer to realise your ideas and make it as close to your dream dress as possible.
5 Star Weddings: How should someone communicate with your designer of choice?
Emma Shard: Communication is, of course, key, as we all interpret things differently. It is vital that your designer understands you, and you are confident your designer understands what you want. Never assume! Be as clear as possible about your ideas —not just the specifics of your dress, but also your vision and what you think is important about the design you are choosing. Think about how you want to feel as well as how you want to look, along with what elements of your body you wish to highlight and which to conceal. These will all help to inform your designer in creating the perfect dress for you.
5 Star Weddings: How accommodating should a bride be?
Emma Shard: It’s great to come armed with plenty of ideas, but it is not always possible to create what you want that would work for your unique shape. So, you must be prepared to take advice and suggestions and to compromise a little to get the best possible outcome.
5 Star Weddings: How many fittings should a bride expect?
Emma Shard: For a complete bespoke piece, you need to leave ample time for several toile fittings so your designer can assess the fit, shape, and hang of your dress. A perfect fit takes time and attention to detail. Planning and time-wise, we recommend between six and twelve months between commission and the collection of your dress.
5 Star Weddings: Is there anything new in terms of style or detail that brides / our readers can expect in 2015?
Emma Shard: In 2015, we’ll see the soft colour trend become more popular, with flattering soft shades of blush and soft taupe base to lace overlays. We will also see softer silhouettes and fabrics, rather than the more structured looks of previous years, with delicate satins and silk chiffons highlighted by shimmering embellishments.
5 Star Weddings: What is the most essential accessory to complement a wedding dress?
Emma Shard: Confidence. It is essential that you feel comfortable and confident in your dress, as only then will you really glow. I also really love a beautiful, understated bouquet along with a gorgeous veil.
5 Star Weddings: Describe the experience brides can expect at Emma Hunt London– what makes it different?
Emma Shard: I am passionate about giving a personal service and giving every single client my undivided attention. I also have over 15 years of experience running the business on my own, so I know the production side that many sales advisors don’t. This means I understand garment construction and can give candid, informed feedback when working with my clients to design something that is both beautiful and achievable.
We have also taken great care in selecting boutiques to stock our Echo diffusion collection and have ensured they offer seamless, excellent service. Although ladies buying our Echo dresses don’t often come to the Wimbledon showroom, I make sure that I oversee every single dress being made so that Echo clients across the country can be assured that their dress has been made with the same love and attention as our in-house couture collection.
- Emmahunt.co.uk
- For more expert interviews, visit here
