Royal couturier and winner of Best Designer at the Wedding Ideas Awards 2013, Sassi Holford is an icon of British bridal design. We caught up with the lady herself to find out more about her new So Sassi collection and what inspires her incredible designs…
Sassi, you’re known for your classical bridal gowns, but your So Sassi collection is a little different. Tell us more…
So Sassi is perfect for the young, modern bride with a sense of fashion and her own style. After the label’s first year we now know its market, its bride and its style direction. We’ve introduced more creative fabrics for the new year such as a stunning stretch lace and there’s more imaginative detailing. The dresses are all handmade right here in the UK and retail from £900 to £1,800. Brides can find their nearest stockists on the So Sassi website.
Your Savoy Collection for 2014 looks incredible. What’s the inspiration behind it?
Having cocktails within the burnished gold and jet-black opulence of Beaufort Bar at The Savoy and being surrounded by decadence!
What’s the design process? What can brides expect when buying a Sassi Holford gown?
Both of my boutiques are presented with an understated elegance to them that offers a calm environment for every client to best enjoy their appointments. Initially we’ll look at helping brides-to-be try on every shape of dress to see what best compliments their silhouette.
Ideally we recommend that brides look at wedding dresses between nine and 12 months before their wedding date, with the intention of placing their order six to nine months before the big day. This gives us time to make the gown and factor in time for any last-minute alterations.
Once a design has been decided upon and the order placed, brides expect to see us again for perhaps two or three more fittings (this may include a calico bodice ‘prefit’ which we call a toile) and then a final fitting before collecting their dress for the big day! Bespoke gowns may require more fittings.
Which celebrities have you dressed?
The pinnacle of my career was making the wedding dress for Autumn Kelly when she married the Queen’s first grandson, Peter. Autumn made an appointment just like a regular client and it wasn’t until the second visit until she told who she was marrying.
What’s your signature look or style?
Understated but with an elegant glamour. It’s all about the cut and fit – getting this right is crucial. I adore designing classic wedding gowns with a contemporary edge.
Where can brides find a Sassi Holford gown?
The Savoy Collection is exclusive to my London boutique in Chelsea and priced from £3,000 while my Signature Collection, priced from £1,800, can be found with selected stockist across the UK, Eire and North America. You can see a full list of stockists on the Sassi Holford website.
Sassi Holford’s January 2014 sample sale starts on 11th January at the London and Taunton boutiques, where you could save up to 70% on the RRP! Don’t miss it! See more of Sassi’s dresses right here. Will she scoop the top designer award again in 2014… See the other contenders for Best Bridal Designer in the Wedding Ideas Awards 2014 here.
