8 Australian Wedding Dress Designers | We’re Crushing On

If you didn’t know already, there’s a serious haul of Australian bridal designers out there breaking the traditional rules and rewriting their own when it comes to truly epic bridal style. 
There’s no doubt the wedding dress hunt can be a journey fraught with hurdles. Perhaps you’ve fallen in love with a gown you’ve spotted on Pinterest and just found out it’s from 12 seasons ago and isn’t even being made anymore (cue tears and a large glass of wine). Or maybe, you’ve just hit the hundred mark trying on dresses and still nothing feels like it’s quite right. Panicking? We hear you. But, put down the wedding planner bride-to-be. There’s a stellar line-up of Australian bridal designers that might hold the key to winning your heart in the dress department and, luckily for you, we’ve done the hard work for you and put together a list of eight truly incredible examples YOU need to keep your eye on. 

 

#1 Jane Hill Bridal  

 

Established in 1990, Jane Hill bridal has been making waves in the wedding industry for years now with their line-up of cool, contemporary gowns (just perfect for the modern bride). Designed and handcrafted in Australia, the brand caters for every bride by offering three equally sumptuous labels - under the Jane Hill umbrella - to choose from. 

 

#2 Cathleen Jia  

 

Led by the truly talented designer who’s love for modern romance and design led her to the bridal industry, Cathleen Jia is a label that breathes contemporary elegance. Prepare to be swept up in beautifully crafted designs, aisle-worthy separates and divine attention to detail. 

 

#3 Diane Lewis Couture 

 

With her gowns spotted everywhere from the The Oscars to The Logies (Australia’s Emmys), celebrated bridal designer Diane Lewis Couture is renowned for her show-stopping style, corsetry elements and couture craftsmanship. Offering something for every type of bride, you’ll be hard pressed not to find something you love from the designer’s three collections: Diane Lewis, Ceremony and Matheson + Me. 

 

#4 Helen O’Connor 

 

Having recently unveiled her latest, purely bridal venture: Helen O’Connor bridal (the designer previously founded Thurley in 2006) Helen O’Connor’s exploration into the world of bridal is bound to sweep you off your feet. Designed with the modern woman in mind, there’s no doubt you’ll fall hard for the Australian designer’s innate sense of style, fabulous embellishment and distinctive artistry. 

Photography: Alexandra Drewniak

 

#5 Grace Loves Lace  

 

Cult Australian bridal label, Grace Loves Lace is renowned for stealing brides’ hearts across the globe with their bohemian, lace-infused selection of wedding dresses. Led by the ever-glowing, creative spirit of founder, Megan Ziems, GLL is a label that brings a coveted blend of bridal style to the table: incredible, Instagram-worthy gowns with more affordable price tags. And, with an achingly cool showroom available to visit in London - it’s a no-brainer for modern brides looking for something different. 

 

#6 Mariana Hardwick  

 

Championing forever timeless contemporary bridal style, you won’t be able to miss the enchanting spirit that emanates from every Mariana Hardwick gown. With over 40 years of producing icons for the aisle, the Australian brand is celebrated for its unique approach to design, evident skill and expertise and ability to create new - and ever alluring - gowns that endlessly flatter the female form. 

 

#7 Paloma James Bridal  

 

The new Australian label, Paloma (symbolising all things peaceful and light) James (standing for strength, boldness and a unique spirit) launched in November 2020, unveiling a unique energy you’ll instantly want to tap into. The brand’s debut collection, With the Tide brought a line inspired by a truly emotional year to the table, a series of gowns that represented the idea of rolling with the tide. Curated by the brand’s creative team; Jess Witkamp, Kahran Raj, Oceana Strachan and Brooke Davies, it’s definitely worth checking out STAT. 

#8 KYHA & Chosen by KYHA

KYHA (formerly One Day) and it’s coveted ready-to-wear label, Chosen by KYHA were born when Founder and Creative Director, Kyha Scott tried to find her own wedding dress. Fuelled by a vision where the line between fashion and bridal was very much blurred, and tired of the traditional silhouettes and style on offer, KYHA rewrote the rules, breaking out an aesthetic that would forever claim the hearts of brides across the globe. 

Image: the Mattis gown from the brand’s latest Chosen by KYHA collection, Untold Wonderland.

Want more wedding inspiration? Head back to Team Hen’s blog.