There’s just something about Kate Beaumont’s sumptuous, understated bridal gowns that we know you’re going to love. If the idea of a structured, voluminous gown doesn’t appeal, the lure of Kate Beaumont’s beautifully executed, elegantly modern selection will, in a heartbeat. Ethically designed, Kate threads a modern romance throughout each and every one of her charming creations, a romance that instantly seduces brides from all over the UK (and world – we’re talking Sweden, the US and Australia). Plus, with a sustainable approach in tow, not to mention the fact that the label very rarely retire a design, we’re in no doubt Kate Beaumont bridal should be on your wedding label wish list this 2022 and beyond…
Your Day managed to catch up with the designer herself to chat all things sustainability, bridal and more…
How was the brand, Kate Beaumont conceived?
I’d studied Fashion Design at university but had fallen out of love with the idea of working in the industry after spending a year travelling with my husband (or boyfriend as he was back then). When I got home I started working for an environmental charity instead. Then my best friend started planning her wedding and asked me if I’d consider making a dress for her. I was apprehensive at first as I’d never really seen a wedding dress that wasn’t a strapless, corset-back, big-skirted number, but luckily that wasn’t what Alex had in mind, and we started to look for inspiration for something that was more her vibe. That experience really opened my eyes to the possibilities that making wedding dresses could offer – an opportunity to combine all the elements of design and making that I loved best, along with the more personal and social elements I love in getting to know my brides.
What was your dream for the brand in the very beginning? Is that dream the same now?
I’m not sure there ever truly was a dream to be honest! I think I always had an idea of the sort of aesthetic I wanted to create, and my designs have just evolved and improved along the way, both as my own skills have improved and as we’ve grown from a one-woman band into a small but mighty team. As someone who’s never been into bridal in the traditional sense, I was so happy to discover that other women were into the styles I was creating and trusted my vision for their own wedding.
Where are you based? Can brides visit you there?
I’m based in Sheffield in a working studio. Our space is part of a listed building – a converted cutlery factory – and is full of quirky charm. The studio is split into two halves – one is a showroom where brides can book an appointment to come along and try on the dresses, and the other side is our workroom where all the dresses take shape.
How would you describe the Kate Beaumont bride?
They’re all so very different, but always really lovely! We definitely seem to attract a very high calibre of human – I’ve had some fascinating conversations with my brides and always feel really privileged to be able to get to know them! They’re mostly all (fairly!) laid back when it comes to their wedding, and although they might enjoy the process of planning it, they don’t let it take over. We try to keep the atmosphere in the studio very relaxed and never put any pressure on anyone to make a decision before they’re ready, and brides often comment on how much they’ve appreciated that – especially those who find the whole dress shopping experience somewhat overwhelming.
We love that you are “the antithesis of fast fashion” tell us more about how you grow your range of gowns, and how no design is ever retired. How does this help in terms of sustainability?
I like to think of each collection as an extension to what’s come before, so the new pieces should sit almost seamlessly alongside the older styles. Although we’re all influenced by fashions and trends, I don’t see the point of endlessly recreating similar versions of the same style, and I don’t think that a bride will love a dress any less because it’s been around for a few years. It’s a more sustainable way to design as we’re only creating pieces that we feel fill an existing gap in the collection, and we’re not re-sampling dresses just to hang on our rails. Unless there’s a reason to retire a design – for example it’s no longer selling well or we can’t get hold of the materials any more – then we keep it available.
Where do you source your materials from?
We work exclusively with luxury fabrics – high quality silks and laces, and source them from a variety of makers and suppliers here in the UK and Europe. All our laces are French or English, and the silks are shipped to our UK suppliers from India and China.
What other sustainable measures do you have in place as a label?
As everything is made-to-order here we don’t overproduce, so no waste on that score. All our usable fabric off-cuts are either utilised here in the studio (to make hair bows or belt trimmings) or given to a local underwear designer. We use recycled cardboard packaging and tissue paper, and in turn recycle packaging that we use in the studio. We use an ethical bank, and donate monthly to Ecologi to offset our carbon. I employ a small team of wonderful and highly skilled women, who are fairly paid and enjoy the benefits of working flexibly around their other commitments, in a safe and happy working environment. And we’re all able to get to the studio either solely on foot, or by a combination of walking and public transport.
What type of wedding dress experience can brides expect from Kate Beaumont?
Relaxed, friendly, low-key, open-minded, un-pressured.
What does a regular 9-5 (if it is 9-5) day consist of for you, the designer and owner?
I’m so lucky that most of my days are varied, which means there’s never an opportunity to get bored, but also sometimes there are so many things flying around my head it can be difficult to get everything done! As we’re such a small team I’m involved with everything in the studio – setting the workload for my staff, doing the admin, meeting brides, tacking and sewing dresses, making the tea and whatever else needs doing.
What happens if a bride can’t physically come to the studio?
Over the last couple of years we’ve had a number of brides enquiring from overseas, and it’s been great to be able to work with them online via video call. We can chat through all the possibilities by email first, then arrange an online call to help them measure themselves, and talk through the process face-to-face. We’ve always sent out a mock-up for each bride to try on in the style they’ve chosen, and then had another online call when that’s arrived so I can see how it’s fitting and what changes might be needed on the final version. Once we’ve made the gown we package it up and post it over, and I try not to hold my breath until I know it’s made it safely to its destination! Depending on the style, sometimes a hem is better finished locally, so if that’s the case we include instructions on how to do so. So far it’s been 100% successful, and we’ve had brides in Sweden, the US and Australia, which is obviously really wonderful for me.
When should brides be getting in touch if they desire a Kate Beaumont gown?
We try to be as flexible as we can on that score, but in an ideal world, 12 – 18 months before the wedding is just about perfect. We’re usually physically working on each dress for around six months, but I wouldn’t advise leaving it that late to book (unless it’s unavoidable) as we can run into problems getting hold of fabrics from time to time.
What would your advice be for brides setting out on their wedding dress journey?
Do your research and think about the sort of thing you’re looking for, rather than just booking a load of appointments and hoping for the best. Remember to be true to yourself, and only take guests along with you who understand the vibe you’re going for and will be supportive of your vision. I’m not a huge believer in ‘the one’ – many of my brides are seriously torn between styles that would all work perfectly on them, and it’s more a case of deciding on the look you want to go for on the day, not that one is the right choice and one is not. I think the whole concept can add unnecessary pressure to an experience that many women already find overwhelming. Stay relaxed, keep your mind open to all the possibilities, and enjoy the process.
Want to book an appointment with the fabulous Kate Beaumont? Click here.
Discover more from the bridal designer via her beautiful website.
For more wedding dress inspiration head back to your day.
Photography by India Hobson
