Designer Interview: Judy Lee

"Who is Ju.Lee?  She is my alter ego.  She believes in true love.  She loves to travel and be inspired by the people and cultures in different cities.  But most importantly, she wants to share her journey with brides (you) who want unique romantic dresses made locally with flattering fits.

I started Iridescence Bridal Couture in 2006 with the dream and passion of helping other brides to design the perfect wedding dresses for their magical days.  After countless hours of consultations, sewing, beading, stitching, and fittings, this journey has led me to focus not only on the design of the dresses, but also the fit in relations to different body types. 

When it comes to wedding dresses, I look for elegant designs and charming details with just the right touch of dazzle.  Nothing over the top.  I want the bride (you) to look and feel effortlessly beautiful without trying too hard.  This is my design philosophy."

     - Judy Lee, Ju.Lee Collection

What brought you into the wedding industry?

After designing and making my own wedding dress in 2005, I was completely head over heels in love with the beauty of weddings.  A woman may have worn numerous dresses in her life, but she will never forget what she wore on her wedding day.  Being a part of this important moment in her life is what made me become a bridal dress designer.

You have a great idea! What do you do next?

Once I have an idea, I will immediately sketch it on paper.  Because ideas come and go, it’s important to jot down my ideas right away.  Then I begin to find the right fabrics and materials that will best express the ideas.  The hardest part is always editing the designs and details because there are so many amazing options and possibilities!

What gives you your inspiration for new designs?

The collection is inspired by vintage details and silhouettes but each design is inspired by a place that I have either visited or wanted to visit around the world.  I’ve always been intrigued by the old world charm but want to reinterpret bridal fashion for the modern bride.

Where do the names of each gown come from?

The name of each design is inspired by a city or landmark around the world.  I’m always captivated by the architectural designs and the unique lifestyles of the people who live there.  For example, “Chicago” is inspired by famous museums and architectures from the city with the creative use of fabric blocking.

What fabrics do you absolutely love working with?

I adore laces, chiffons, and charmeauses.  They are very elegant and soft and drape so beautifully.  

Do you design with a specific bride in mind?

She is bold and stylish and is not afraid to be unique.  Although she may not be a traditional bride, she believes in tradition and is still a true romantic at heart but embraces the unexpected.  My brides are positively originals and are admired and adored by those around her. 

Who would you love to see in one of your gowns?

I’d love to see Mila Kunis and Olivia Wilde in one of my dresses!  Their elegance and beauty are mesmerizing but in a fearless sexy way. 

What advice do you have for my brides who are in search for their perfect wedding gown?

Brides should know their body shapes and unique body features when shopping for wedding dresses.  They should not base their decisions from Pinterest or magazine clip outs on models that are size 0 and airbrushed.  The best wedding dress should flatter her body in a way that dauntlessly highlights her assets and discretely camouflage the flaws.  When the dress fits perfectly, it will look amazing even if it’s a simple design.

Can you inspire us with a couple of your gowns and the type of wedding you see them going perfectly with?

"Los Angeles"

“Los Angeles” is perfect for a traditional wedding because of its universally flattering silhouette with a classic, elegant design. 

"Miami"

“Miami” is designed for beach weddings because it is flirty and functional – a floor length flowy skirt with side pockets make it easy to dance the night away on the sand under the moonlight. 

"New York"

“New York” is a fun creative dress design with a touch of glam.  Kick off the heels and put on some cowboy boots to keep the wedding down-to-earth and outdoorsy yet still sophisticated.

Thank you Judy for sharing your background, inspiration, and advice for all of our brides. I cannot wait to further explore your collections and follow your work for years to come, and hope that I one day have the opportunity to plan a wedding for a Ju.Lee bride!

Designer Interview: Sunjin Lee

Sunjin Lee is originally from Seoul, South Korea. Studying architectural and urban design from the prestigious Sookmyung Women's University, she started in the bridal world in 2010 when she designed two of her own wedding gowns. She decided that she wanted to turn this passion into a pull-time career and introduced her first collection in 2013. l. Sunjin got her first taste in bridal design back in 2010 when she designed two of her own wedding gowns. This is also when she moved to Portland, OR. Turning a passion into a career Sunjin Lee introduced her first collection in 2013. And we are so excited that she did!

Where do you find your inspiration?

I can get inspired almost anything but a few example of things that inspire are classical paintings and modern architecture.  I like the details in classical paintings and how things can repeat over the centuries.  I try to modernize that through my own perspective and touches.  I really like the creative use of materials in modern architecture.  It inspires me to play with materials that are not traditional bridal.  Woven throughout my inspiration process I am always thinking about romance because a wedding dress should never be without romance.

Once you have an idea, what do you do first?

Once I have an idea I draw tons of sketches for the same idea with different variations and combinations.  Then I end up choosing one that I love.  Once chosen I will choose the materials according to the feel and silhouette of the dress.  Then I will sew a sample in the real materials.  However, sometimes what I love in a sketch doesn't translate well into the real world.  Then I have to modify my idea by sketching more :)

Where do you come up with the names for each piece?

My collections always have a theme that stems from my inspiration for the season.  For example my 2014 collection was called "A Space for Romance" which is inspired by a trip to New York.  Some of the dress named after streets in Manhattan and some of the art pieces I saw there and cafes that I loved...

What is your favorite fabric right now?

My favorite fabric I use right now is a white silk woven with silver threads to give it a little glow.  It's not too loud and very elegant.  I also love my custom made fabric with abalone sequins.  It is a warm white with a touch of silveriness.  It's got a very young and fun vibe.  Last but definitely not least I LOVE my glittering tulle fabric that shimmers like the ocean with the sunshine.  You have to see it to appreciate it.  This tulle has literally brought tears to many people when they see it on the brides or when they dream about being a bride in it.  It is the most romantic fabric I have.

What is your very favorite piece?

My all-time favorite wedding dress I have made is called "Paris."  This dress was named after the city (Paris, France of course!) where I met my love of my life and now husband, Jonathan.  You can call it cliche but it was love at first sight in Paris.  That was a life changing moment and when we decided to get married I also decided to make my own wedding dress which is how I got introduced to this world.  We got married on the beach on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.  The theme of my Paris dress was "a mermaid that just stepped out of the water."  Of course, it was a mermaid silhouette and I handed beaded tens of thousands of Swarovski crystals, sequins and glass beads to create a glittering ombre.  The glitter represents the glistening water on the hem and it gets less and less going up the dress like it would on a mermaid coming stepping out of the water.  When I walked in the dress it looked like a sea of glitter and my feet.  The beading alone took me three months of sleepless nights but it was worth every moment.  It sounds like a lot of work (it was!) but I enjoyed it so much that I HAD to become a wedding dress designer.  One day I want to recreate this dress and include it in one of my collections.

If you could name one, what type of bride do you deisgn for?

I picture my brides as young, successful, fashion savvy, urban and confident.  My bride wants to show off her beauty on her big day and my dresses are designed to complement the beautiful curve of a woman's body perfectly.

What celebrities would you die to see in one of your gowns?

Carla Bruni and Natalia Vodianova

How would you describe your designs?

My designs are:  Urban, Bright City Lights, Modern (opposite of ethereal), Very Structured, Shiny, Simple and Feminine.

Do you have any advice for my readers?

Listen to the voice in YOUR head and don't get swept away by the voices around you.  Push yourself to wear something more special and don't be too conservative in your dress choice.  This is the biggest party you will ever throw yourself and these are the pictures you are going to look at for the rest of your life.  If you find that you are questioning yourself just think about how your pictures will look in 5 years and ask yourself..."Will I regret this choice? Will I wish I would have stuck with my idea?..."

A huge thank you to Sunjin Lee for sharing her experiences, expertise, and collections with us! I cannot wait to see some of our brides in your stunning gowns!

Designer Interview: Leanne Marshall

This is a first for The Overwhelmed Bride and I am beyond excited that we had the opportunity to interview three absolutely AMAZING wedding gown designers! Over the next three days, you are going to get an inside look at the lives of these designers, some of their favorite pieces, and some advice they wanted to tell you, the bride! So sit back, relax, and let's get to know the brains (and hands) behind those stunning gowns!

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Leanne Marshall began designing her own pieces at the young age of 12 for her ballet and dance performances. And just a short time after, at age 18, she won the Levi's Dockers Scholarship and was awarded her amazing education at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco. With her first line starting in 2006, Leanimal, she had such tremendous success that she was able to quit her full time job just a year and a half later and put her heart and soul into her label, full-time.

In 2008, Leanne was selected as a contestant on Project Runway, Season 5, where she was ultimately crowned the winner! Immediately following her win, she moved to New York City and since, has had her collections featured in New York Fashion Week and fashion weeks around the world since. Her dresses have been seen in Martha Stewart Weddings, US Weekly, The Post, TV Guide, The New York Times, People, Elle, LIFE, National Geographic, Lucky and countless others.

And finally, in 2011, the bridal industry snagged her up (woohoo!) and she came out with her signature bridal line. She has the most stunning gowns, and I have even been lucky enough to be able to model one in one of my favorites!

I hope you are as excited as I am to learn more about her designs...and maybe even find a potential wedding gown for your big day!

What gives you inspiration for a new piece?

I design to flatter the female form. Inspirations for designs come to me while I am draping fabric.

What is the process once you have an idea?

For me, it is the reverse. The idea happens during the process. I allow the materials to create the dress.

What fabrics are your favorite to work with?

Silk chiffon, silk organza and beads!

How do you come up with the names for your designs?

Sometimes it is the first client who buys a dress or the celebrity it was designed for, other times we look through baby name listings and choose the ones that we love (and suit the feel of the dress).

Which designs are your all-time favorites?

My favorite two pieces are the "cabbage" dress and the tuxi-dress.

Do you design with a specific bride in mind?

I design for brides that are not looking for a traditional dress. I appeal to the bride who likes a more ethereal feel.

What is your advice to brides who are still searching for "the one"?

Try lots of styles, even the ones that you think you may not like. There is a fine line between like and dislike. Sometimes when something is new to you, especially when it is on a hanger, you may think you dislike it. You may actually find that that feeling was just like, disguised as newness, when you actually put it on. And if you don't like it, what was the harm?

I also recommend that you bring a small party, like your best friend or your mom. The worst thing you can do is gather an opinionated group of  'mean girls'. In an effort to be the one who shares their 'unbiased' opinion, they will try to put you in their dress instead of helping you to find your own. When our brides come with a 'mean girls club' in tow, they always come back a second time, alone.

Who would you love to see in one of your gowns?

There are several lesser known talents I would love to dress. I'm sure you haven't heard of them...Anne Hathaway, Taylor Swift and Cate Blanchett.

Our brides all have different styles in mind for their wedding day. Can you inspire us with some of your designs for our brides who have not yet found their perfect gown?

A huge thank you to Leanne for allowing us to take some time out of her busy day to share her background, inspiration, and her advice for you!

If you would like to browse more of her designs, begin following her inspiration on social media, or find a store near you that carries her gowns, here is everything you need :)