Subscribe
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
Inside The Vintage Bridal Trend with Art Garments Bridal
Grace Corby expanded her vintage business into bridal gowns after finding a perfect 40s dress for her own wedding.
“Visionary brides wear vintage. It’s a real moment", says Grace Corby.
After selling vintage for over 20 years, Grace noticed a gap in the Australian vintage market and launched a special vintage wedding gown business. We met her at her beautiful Sydney showroom to discuss all the things vintage wedding looks.
Why are vintage bridal dresses trending?
I think the increase in demand for vintage bridal mirrors the broader cultural veneration of vintage. For someone who has been selling vintage for 20 years, recently I’ve witnessed a shift in valuing vintage garments as special. There is reverence for the ingrained exclusivity of archival fashion. We recognise the sustainability of secondhand. And we admire the way things were made prior to mass production. I think the demand for vintage bridal considers all of that. I think in an oversaturated bridal market, brides want something exclusive, with a story, something they picked, not dictated for them. They want something well made, something that has been loved and preserved. At the moment I see vintage bridal designs at the forefront of the bridal trend cycle, the Vogue brides in vintage are inspiring the big designers.
What are your tips for finding the perfect vintage wedding outfit?
I am someone who is neurotic about individual style, wearing high/low combinations from far flung sources, piecing a look together that is irreplicable. That doesn’t mean messy or chaotic, it could be unforgettably maximalist or it could be pared back and chic, but with your own stamp. You could pair a simple 90s satin gown with opera gloves and a divine vintage Manolo. You could opt for an unforgettable 80s silk gown that does all the talking. You could pair Y2K with an antique veil. Vintage is about embracing possibilities, so my tips would be to be open-minded about eras and styles, let yourself be awed, let yourself be emotional, let yourself connect. Putting together your wedding wardrobe should feel creative.
What kind of vintage bridal outfits and gowns are trending at the moment?
There’s a demand for quality silk that does not get used broadly today. Thai silk and silk dupion with its incredible natural weave and subtle iridescence that is not available in contemporary boutiques. Special details like rosettes, bubble hems, the right kind of puff sleeve, corsetry & two pieces. I’m also feeling the 2010s mermaid look is poking its head around the corner with it’s hourglass shape and tuft of fun at the bottom.
How to prepare for a bridal appointment?
I think putting together a moodboard (even if it’s not cohesive) is a great start. Saving images of looks you like and event vibe can help get the ball rolling. Once you start trying things, your vision will begin to crystallise. You’ll get a feel for what makes you feel most confident and special. Oh, and wear nude underwear / shapewear!
Your own bridal dress led to the launch of Art Garments Bridal. What was your dress like and how did you find it?
I love to talk about my dress! I found it on Etsy after months of daily checking. I would slightly change keywords, broaden searches, scroll and scroll. And I came across my 1940s satin gown with its incredible gathered texture and I had a vision. I got help from my designer friend to reimagine the neckline and took it to a local seamstress to make some changes and make it mine.
It was really such a special process. The act of hunting for a vintage gown, customising it and ultimately wearing it, imbued the sense of creativity I craved within the dictates of wedding planning. I noticed a real gap in the market in Australia, that no one was doing high end, curated vintage bridal so I continued my obsessive daily hunting and put together my first collection.
Are there some common misconceptions about vintage bridal wear?
I think the most common misconception is about fit – I have brides online forgoing pieces they’re in love with because of sizing but every gown in the world will require tailoring to make perfect, even new off the rack. I worked with the idea of good bones. If a dress is well constructed, or is made of reams of fabulous vintage silk you cannot get anywhere anymore, or has unique detailing like handmade rosettes or lacework, you can customise to make your own.
I hope vintage bridal continues to feel as sacrosanct as it feels right now, because it is genuinely such a privilege to source, handle, revive and connect these gowns with new owners. I feel a rush of excitement and gratitude with every delivery that arrives at the boutique and I can’t wait to share them with my brides.”
90s basque waist wedding gown