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FROM HANNAH MONTANA TO BESPOKE BRIDAL WEAR - PHIL HAS DESIGNS ON GRACEFUL WEDDING CAREER
A Darlington-based wedding company has launched an exclusive couture bridal wear service after hiring the designer who helped create the outfit for Hannah Montana’s waxwork at Madame Tussauds in London.
Grace - The Wedding Company, based on Duke Street, hired specialist bridal wear designer, Phil Woodhead, from Middlesbrough, to provide a bespoke service to brides, mother-of-the-brides and prom girls as part of rapid expansion plans.
Phil was asked to design and make the pattern to re-create a dress Miley Cyrus wore at the premiere of Hannah Montana – The Movie. The dress will clothe her Disney alter ego’s waxwork at the famous London museum.
“I knew when I met Phil we’d work together well and I am absolutely delighted he’s joined the business; he’s extremely talented and is already proving to be a real asset to the company,” said Grace director, Michelle Smith, who is from Darlington and set up just over a year ago as a pre-loved wedding dress agency.
Since then the company has developed into a growth business which is now gearing up to launch a new ready-to-wear collection from designers Alfred Sung, Dessy and Ellis Bridal, a large selection of pre-loved, ex-sample and never worn bridal wear from many top designers including Ian Stuart and Maggie Sottero – along with the option of the couture service from Phil.
The anniversary of Grace’s first year in business, which has seen Michelle create a staggering five new jobs, was marked with the best Saturday sales ever earlier this month, (July) during a time when many in the industry are struggling.
Michelle puts this down to Grace’s expertise and flexibility, which allows customers more than one way of buying: “Customers are more discerning than ever these days and their wedding budgets – regardless of whether they are on a shoe string or have thousands of pounds to spend- are at the forefront of their minds,” she said.
“We feel we have the edge because we can offer great expertise to help people achieve the best they can afford, whether that be pre-loved or new, there’s something for everyone and if there isn’t we can make something unique at a price people can afford.”
Michelle plans to expand Grace into larger premises later in the summer to accommodate the ever increasing range of options for brides. Grace is also home to bridal accessories including an exclusive range of tiaras and jewellery, men’s suit hire, wedding stationary, cakes and a complete themed wedding design.
Phil said: “I am delighted to be working at Grace with a fantastic team of professionals who all strive for quality and excellence in everything they do. My life’s ambition has always been to be a couturier and I have been drawn to the glamour and elegance of bridal wear since my early days in fashion design.
“Meeting Michelle opened a door of opportunity and we are both looking forward to an exciting future together.”