One common theme among Astralian designers is their ability to produce unique and nontraditional wedding looks — ensembles that favor brides who have a strong sense of personal style.
This may range from those who prefer dramatic sleeves over a train, or embroidered colors over prim bows. Additionally, brides-to-be with minimalist aesthetics may love Australian designs since many of the dresses are sleek slips in luxe silks, gowns with clean tailoring, and pieces that can easily be styled and worn well after the wedding day.
Ahead, explore 8 Australian bridal designers that are accessible all over the globe.
World-renowned bridal label Grace Loves Lace was launched in 2010 by Megan Ziems, inspired by the struggle to find her own dream wedding dress. The result is a line of unconventional offerings that feature comfortable, yet daring, silhouettes. The use of lace, silk, and other unique trims bring each of her gowns to life—dresses that feel special and fairytale-like, but still distinct and unexpected. “Grace Loves Lace is inspired by the unique bride—a woman of style, substance and passion,” the brand shares of its hand-crafted and ethically made pieces.
For brides who plan to move and dance all night long, Grace Loves Lace is a brand you’ll want to peruse. “From the beginning, our signature aesthetic has been luxury you can dance in,” says Ziems. “We are known for the way we layer and mix fabrics, and trims in unique combinations and silhouettes that are comfortable and allow you to move and actually enjoy your whole day. Our gowns are lightweight with no restrictive elements like zips, boning, or heavy materials.”
Made With Love is a family-run business launched by Carla Jenkins in 2013. Inspired by the struggle to find her own wedding dress, Jenkins came to develop her own range of gowns that have become known for their daring, plunge-neckline silhouettes.
“You can spot an MWL girl a mile away. She is the first one to eat the cake and the last one on the dance floor. She knows who she is.”
The collection includes full-body sparkle and lace, tiered layers of tulle that will float down any aisle, and deep-cut necklines that aren’t for the faint of heart—all available up to size 26 US. “I want my designs to compliment all bodies so everyone can be an MWL girl. This has become a huge focus for Made With Love as a brand,” says Jenkins. She shares that the brand takes feedback to heart—be it from employees or real brides —to create the best products possible. “All our designs are tested in our Australian boutiques before releasing to our stockists and brides worldwide,” she shares of the process. “We want our dresses to enhance our brides’ natural beauty.”
Made With Love is a family-run business launched by Carla Jenkins in 2013. Inspired by the struggle to find her own wedding dress, Jenkins came to develop her own range of gowns that have become known for their daring, plunge-neckline silhouettes.
“You can spot an MWL girl a mile away. She is the first one to eat the cake and the last one on the dance floor. She knows who she is.”
The collection includes full-body sparkle and lace, tiered layers of tulle that will float down any aisle, and deep-cut necklines that aren’t for the faint of heart—all available up to size 26 US. “I want my designs to compliment all bodies so everyone can be an MWL girl. This has become a huge focus for Made With Love as a brand,” says Jenkins. She shares that the brand takes feedback to heart—be it from employees or real brides —to create the best products possible. “All our designs are tested in our Australian boutiques before releasing to our stockists and brides worldwide,” she shares of the process. “We want our dresses to enhance our brides’ natural beauty.”
Georgia Young fostered her love of design from an early age, teaching herself to sew on her mother’s sewing machine as a child. After studying couture and working under the direction of fellow Melbourne designers, she would eventually launch her namesake label for the “bride that didn’t want to look like a ‘bride,’” she reveals.
Young’s distinct appreciation for individuality will resonate with like-minded brides-to-be who are looking for a unique day-of style. This includes pieces from the Gertrude collection, like playful lace jumpsuits with a layered skirt, or the ethereal elegance found in the wave-inspired Ocean collection.
Additionally, Young offers advice for the consumer who may want to incorporate on-trend elements without losing herself in the dress-shopping process. “Take that time to really ask yourself what do you value and want from your special day. From there, your decisions will be easier and it will feel more personal.”
Fashion and wedding designer Courtney Illfield launched Lola Varma after observing what many pared-back brides know to be true: The bridal market doesn’t always provide celebration looks that align with a minimalist’s wardrobe. Thus, enter: Lola Varma, “marrying high fashion and everyday apparel,” as stated on the brand’s site. In other words, you can find modern pieces, understated romance, and elegance across dresses and separates alike.
“The Lola Varma bride is wonderfully present and tends to resonate with a nontraditional outlook on how to celebrate her relationship, romance, and commitment,” says Illfield. For the designer, wedding-day style is an extension of everyday style—a way to express your truest self when making one of the biggest decisions in your life. Dresses include simple, strapless A-line numbers, and gowns in crisp shapes with open backs. Additionally, there are skirts and tailored separates that may be easier to keep within your “everyday apparel” wardrobe long after you say “I do.”
Sydney-based designer Karen Willis Holmes launched her eponymous line in 2000 and has gained much notoriety since then, for her timeless and impeccably crafted designs. They’ve appeared on public figures, at Sydney Fashion Week, and on real customers throughout the world.
She designs for a bride who loves the classics, be it those drawn to minimalist, strapless gowns, or those who prefer sharp suiting. “Our goal is to always create a one-of-a-kind, personal, and genuine experience for brides when finding their perfect wedding dress,” shares Holmes. Across all her designs, including bespoke offerings and extended sizing up to a US 20, Holmes “is about working with brides on an individual level, listening to their plans and style ideas, and elevating their dreams into reality.”
Holmes’s brides don’t fit into one specific box. “Our silhouettes are timeless, but each of our gowns has that little extra something,” she says. This comes by way of dramatic statement sleeves, beautiful lace or beaded detailing, touches of playful feathers, or the option to add a cascading, detachable, and organza train to your fitted gown.
Anna Campbell has over a decade of experience and works to create romantic and sophisticated designs while using luxurious silks, custom-designed laces, and hand-beaded embellishments. She also utilizes local Australian manufacturing and creates her designs right in Melbourne.
For the bride with a modern sensibility, Anna Campbell offers a refined sense of glamour. “The Anna Campbell bride is feminine and sophisticated,” explains Campbell. “She loves understated silhouettes paired with playful details and intricate embellishments. She is unrestrained by tradition, instead seeking a gown that compliments her personal style.”
Even though the brand primarily focuses on clean lines and figure-hugging silhouettes, brides can also find gowns with multiple levels of “wow factor.”
Megan Condipodero was a dental nurse before making the leap to launch her design business in 2015. Today, she’s the brains behind Marquise Bridal, a brand that has a strong cult following.
“Forever evolving our vision of modern and the pursuit of perfection, Marquise Bridal continues to redefine bridal trends with a commitment to uncompromisable quality, craftsmanship, and luxury textiles. The result is sultry, romantic, and luxury gowns for the modern bride.”
Condipodero says her brides possess a quiet confidence. Her gowns fittingly include bold embellishments and full skirts, but in thoughtful placements and amounts. Still, designer suggests that the success of her designs depends, not necessarily on the trends incorporated into them, but how a bride feels in the garment. “Something I have learned along the years is that, whilst there are some rules about the right ‘shape’ for brides, if the bride feels like herself in the gown, then that is the gown she will glow in—even if it defies traditionally styling ‘rules.’”
