Megan Ziems started her brand Grace Loves Lace in 2010 after her own wedding experience left her disillusioned with the structured, traditional wedding “uniform” that dominated the market. So, she set out to change the industry. Ziems believes that quality shouldn’t be dictated by a price tag and that a woman shouldn’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. These values still ring true today in all of the designs that Grace Loves Lace outputs. She gives the bride of today a new wedding dressing option that made her the original disruptor of the bridal industry.
How did you get into bridal design?
My background is in marketing and branding and I had grown up surrounded by art, design and manufacturing in my family. My mother instilled in me an appreciation and recognition for luxurious and high-quality fabrics- laces, embroideries, silks etc. I learnt how to help lay fabric when I was really young, hanging around my mum's work room with her pattern cutters and seamstresses. I never intended on getting more involved in the design process but I had a natural eye for what would work so progressively got more involved in working on design concepts and fits, construction etc. When I was getting married and searching for a wedding dress was the first time, I had ever looked at a wedding dress before. I travelled a lot for work so had the opportunity to really look globally for a wedding dress and it was shockingly compartmentalised. Brides had a uniform and that was that. It was overpriced, cookie cutter styles, lacking quality. So, I was instantly inspired and determined to change the industry. That was in 2009.
How long have you been designing bridal?
The first sketches and concepts were 2009 before GLL launched in 2011.
What’s your favourite bridal look?
To be honest it changes regularly. The common thread in what we create and what we love as a brand is natural beauty and luxury that you can feel comfortable in. There's something beautiful about a woman who looks completely comfortable and confident in her own skin, wearing a luxurious dress that doesn't take over. Relaxed luxury is my favourite kind. It's unpretentious, down to earth and honest. We celebrate women being women, we don't want to manipulate and mould the body with boning, corsetry, structure and heavy rigid fabrics. My favourite look right now would be our Song gown, Henri veil, Dosa heels, Essie earrings.
Where do you find your inspiration?
Mostly music, the women in my life, passionate women of substance, photography, fabric, patterns, nature, and I love good old-fashioned magazines.
Who is your favourite bridal designer?
Grace Loves Lace of course. But I adore Chanel, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano.
What is your favourite famous / celebrity bride look?
Kate Moss, Margherita Missoni, Bianca Jagger, Bianca Balti.... and so many more.
What do you think the next bridal trend will be?
Ethically designed and made bridal. We are one of few that originally designs in-house and makes in Australia - in our own studio. Over 80% of the worlds wedding dresses are mass produced in China alone. The bridal industry is one of the worst for not controlling copycat designs, quality, work place health and safety, slave labour...
What are your top three choosing dress tips?
Choose a dress that makes you feel something, is comfortable and makes you feel happy.
For more details visit Grace Loves Lace website and instagram. Written by our guest writer, Nikki Yazxhi, editor and creator of BellaMumma.