It is an implicit, but infallible truth among the fashion-conscious of the world that a bold attitude, a distinctive style, and an unwavering confidence are three key components when it comes to creating an icon. We are urged day after day by stylists, editors, designers and even friends to not be afraid of fashion, to embrace our bodies, to be audacious in our choices and all the time self-assured. It’s what women such as Katherine Hepburn, Debbie Harry and Carrie Bradshaw (by proxy of Patricia Field) are so lauded for all over the world, from generation to generation. So why, when it comes to wedding fashion, are we told over and over to ‘play it safe’?
This idea is something that Delphine Gradjouan, occasion-cum-bridal designer at the House of Delphine, is all too aware of when it comes to designing her couture gowns at her studio in Kerry.
“There is something lighter about designing occasion wear as the quantity of fabric involved is obviously smaller,” she says, “so one may try little flights of fancy -and sometimes get away with it!”
Intrepid
Delphine’s French roots, her philosophy background, her love of vintage-glamour and her predisposition to occasion-wear design all combine to produce one inimitable bridal fashion house.
While with her bridal collection, she tries to keep within the shapes and blocks that work best, those tried-and-tested silhouettes and designs that have stood the test of time, she can’t help but be a little intrepid when it comes to drafting her creations.
“The most interesting is maybe the influence that one type of design may have on the other,” she says. “In my case, I find cocktail wear makes me want to shake up my bridal designs and give them an element of originality and risk that it may not have otherwise, helping to keep it evolving on a conceptual level -a true creation- and keeping away from the temptation of too much decoration.”
Flexibility of Spirit
Delphine was born in Nantes, France and has been designing out of her studio just outside of Tralee for over 20 years. She began dressing stylish brides in 2004, with the help of her dress-maker mother Christine, who hand-works all her garments with the most refined fabrics, includining Duchess silk and french laces.
A tribute to the remarkable work she was doing for bridal wear came in the form of the prestigious Bridal Designer of the Year award, judged by top designers such as Louise Kennedy, which Delphine took away two years in a row.
Delphine describes her brides as “professional women, with a strong educated taste and a love for pure design, top quality fabrics and a romantic inner-sense of vintage glamour.”
This self-assertion together with a playfulness and ‘flexibility of spirit’ is a quality that is crafted seamlessly through Delphine’s 40-piece bridal collection.
“Of course for a bridal collection one has to have an array of complimentary designs which will suit various body shapes and personalities,” Delphine says. “But whether corsetted or slinky, short or long the common thread was this harping back to the goddesses of the silver screen, and a spirit of strong, uncompromising glamour without fuss.”
The Agony and the Ectasy
Those on the hunt for their own wedding dress know that deciding on ‘the one’ can be as stressful as it is exhilarating, by taking Delphine’s approach they could save a lot of tortured time -it’s as philosophical and bohemian as her designs are!
"I have been told that it is a recognized fact that impulse buy profits much more to the happiness of the customer than agonized rational purchase," she says. "I know a bridal gown has to be a reflected choice because of the investment involved, but make sure the joy element is there at the moment of decision as it is the surest test that one is doing the right thing. Be open to what comes your way, and be not afraid to let your spirit guide you"
When it comes to buying Irish Delphine’s words are as thought-provoking and romantic as one would imagine. "I think that knowing that your gown has been individually made for you, and that you have been part of the decision process all along the way makes such a difference," she says. "It becomes something that makes life the miracle it is -the individuality and the quality as opposed to the quantity factor that rules and can tend to dehumanise many aspects of our lives. "
"Especially in the current economic climate it is important that some people can and do make that choice..that leap of faith, that in the end keeps us all going."
To organise an appointment to view the collection, call +353 667136056 or mail [email protected]
View collection directly in the Kerry Studio or click here for Dublin appointments
