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The Best Australian Wedding Dress Designers for Every Bride
On what is supposed to be the best day of your life, you want to be looking and feeling your best, too. Of course, saying ‘I do’ to the love of your life in front of your friends and family is the most important part of the day, but second to that is the wedding dress you choose to don while doing it. Let’s be real.
Whether you’re a classic bride opting for a timeless silhouette in white or cream, or a modern wifey rocking a power suit or chic two-piece, finding the perfect fit can be a challenge, and while we love the endless wedding inspo blogs and platforms like Pinterest bring, we can often find ourselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of dress designs, table decorations, flower arrangements…
One such way to both avoid overwhelming options and simultaneously support the Australian wedding industry, is to shop the vast array of amazing, Australian wedding dress designers. Low and behold, these talented artisans are crafting stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces that look as special as you’ll feel wearing them.
Here are our favourites:
Lillian Khallouf
Sydney-based Khallouf designs both ready-to-wear collections and bespoke bridal gowns under her eponymous label. Thinking outside the box, the LK bridal looks make the most of timeless silhouettes and a traditional tailoring approach, but her dresses are far from basic. “The LK bride wants to resemble who she is yet still feel timeless. She’s a modern bride who isn’t confined to the norm or traditional bridal looks,” Khallouf said on her site.
To ensure a bride is as in love with her gown as she is her boo, Khallouf works with you in a one-on-one session to guide your choice of silhouette, fabric and detailing. Khallouf will then carry out your vision over three to six months and multiple fittings, resulting in a truly perfect dress that’s just for you. Shop Lillian Khallouf here.
Grace Loves Lace
Grace Loves Lace gowns are handmade right here on home soil for the “women of style, substance and passion”. What began as a boutique Aussie brand has gone global, with showrooms in the UK and US. While crafted from luxurious fabrics in an ethical and sustainable way, GLL’s bohemian gowns are available to be purchased online at an accessible price point, starting from $1,290.
Best to leave four months from your wedding day to make your order, however, the GLL team can work on tighter timelines at an added cost. You’ll take your own measurements with the help of a friend and provide these with your order before your beautiful dress is handmade in the Australian studio and dispatched six to eight weeks before the big day.
Bec + Bridge
For the relaxed bride who wants to look a million bucks but spend less than $500, Bec + Bridge has a commendable range of bridal gowns. Made in Australia, the range is ideal for an understated and elegant look, with the collections making the most of slinky silhouettes in silk and satin-look fabrics.
If you ask us, these are ideal as the second dress; you know, the one you reserve for your wedding reception, that’s dance-ready and a little less precious should someone happen to spill Champagne on you or tread on your train. Starting at $240, the collection is ideal for bridesmaid dresses too, for the fact the whole range comes in multiple complementary shades including navy, sage, cream and black.
Steven Khalil
It’s your day, and all eyes will be on you no matter what. But for the statement brides who seek to command not just the room, but the suburb, city and Southern Hemisphere for that matter, you simply cannot look past a Steven Khalil gown. “Clients may choose from ‘The House Collection’, any one of which can be customised according to preference, or create a breathtaking, one of a kind couture gown, using the world’s most superb silks, duchesse satins, silk organzas, wools and crepes, painstakingly hand-beaded and embroidered by experts,” the site reads.
Not for the last-minute lover, Steven Khalil dresses are best ideated some 10-12 months out from your wedding day, though the label can sometimes accommodate brides within a six-month timeframe. Expect to pay dearly for your one-of-a-kind design though. The label says its dresses start from $11,500 and average around $14,000 and upwards “depending on the design, detail, fabrics chosen and embellishments”.
Paolo Sebastian
Fairytale weddings begin and end with Paolo Sebastion wedding gowns. Founder and designer Paul Vasileff launched his label at age 16 and has continued to create enchanting, special and truly breathtaking couture from his Adelaide studio, where each piece is handmade by Vasileff himself along with a team of skilled ateliers.
Expect elegant silhouettes, floral motifs, impossible sheer tulle, and sparkles. Lots of lots of sparkles. Tricky though could be getting your hands on a gown from Paolo Sebastion gown. The South Australian studio is by appointment only, and a minimum of six months is required for the team to create your dream piece. Worth it though.
Shona Joy
Not just for bridesmaids, the Shona Joy wedding edit boasts a lovely range of wedding-worthy frocks that are perfect for the subdued affair or second party look. Simple silhouettes take centre stage to flatter everybody, while the gowns themselves are designed to be dressed up with more eye-catching accessories.
The edit, while chic and timeless, will not break the bank either. You can expect to pay thousands for more traditionally made wedding gowns, though Shona Joy’s range starts from $240. Even better still, you can score your bridesmaid dresses at the same time, with every piece in the range coming in multiple shades, each of which pair well next to one another.
J’Aton Couture
Melbourne-based fashion house J’Aton Couture is fast becoming a favourite among celebrities and public figures, with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Rebecca Judd and Kylie Jenner all donning designs from the label.
With the site under construction, you may struggle to find information around designing your own custom piece, however Jacob Luppino and Anthony Pittorino, the designers and creators of the brand, can help you create your dream dress within a six-to-eight-month timeframe.
“If it’s a simple gown, it can be created in less than six months but if your ideas and dreams are incredibly over the top then some dreams take several months,” the label tells The Lane. “If the gown is reliant on intense manual labour, there are usually many intricacies to achieve the dream dress.”
Pallas Couture
Romantic and whimsical, Pallas Couture gowns make a sexy statement and are perfect for the traditional bride seeking to make a more modern statement. “Pallas Couture is a world-class luxury bridal and eveningwear house renowned for encapsulating femininity, romantic elegance and an alluring sensuality within each design,” the site reads.
Handcrafted in the Sydney studio, each dress uses French lace, soft silks, Italian embroideries and opulent beading, all of which utilise traditional techniques and elements can be customised to suit the bride’s individual tastes.
“Pallas Collective encapsulates Pallas’s hallmark opulence, yet with a more relaxed undertone. The result is whimsical designs that evoke a nostalgic elegance with a dramatic edge.”