With the arrival of the exquisite HALFPENNY London edit in store this week, we spoke for designer Kate Halfpenny about her excitement to bring her beautiful designs to the Australian bride and how COVID-19 has changed her approach to design.
How did you get into bridal design?
I was always obsessed with dresses and fashion. School wasn’t the dream for me that it was for many people, I wasn’t academically driven so as soon my exams were over I ran as fast as I could to Art college where I just had the best time. I then was lucky enough to go to University where I did a four year degree in fashion with marketing and manufacture where I specialised in bridal wear for my final show and designed and made a collection of bridal separates. No one was doing anything like that back then. I saw a gap in the market and knew it was for me. I sent models down the catwalk with huge tulle overskirts. They undid the clasp and dropped the overskirt to reveal a short, fitted cocktail dress underneath. It was a lot of fun!
After university, I relocated to London to go to St Martins where I studied on the MA design for textiles futures to expand my knowledge of fabrics. I also started working as a stylist, which evolved into an incredible career dressing some of the world’s most iconic, wonderful, inspiring women like Cate Blanchet and Kate Moss, Rihanna and Erin O’Connor, also some brilliant gents too from George Michael to Mick Hucknall. It was such an amazing job, a career I didn’t believe even existed growing up in a small town, pre-internet. I mainly worked on high profile TV commercials and music videos with huge named directors so the pressure was on. I was like a sponge soaking up all the knowledge and experience I could get and I truly believe that it helped shape who I am as a designer. I designed my lovely friend, British Actress Emilia Fox’s wedding dress back in 2005, Vogue mentioned me and then my website launched and the rest is history! I worked from home until I opened my boutique in Bloomsbury in 2012, A dream come true. The demand for my dresses grew and I started recruiting more and more staff, it was so exciting. I had Sylvester in 2015 my precious IVF son so focused all my energy into being a mother and growing my beautiful Bridal brand, we’ve grown so much in the last 16 years. I now have 3 shops in Woburn walk with an 18 strong team.
How long have you been designing bridal for?
I’ve been designing bridal wear since my degree in the late 90’s, although I guess you could say ever since I could draw as that’s what I used to do as a child. I’d draw big ballgowns with nipped-in waists when I was tiny, so the obsession started early! Halfpenny London was officially born in 2005 when I launched my website, I’ve loved working with every single bride since then. It’s a huge privilege being entrusted to make such a special garment.
Can you describe the Halfpenny bride in your own words?
We honestly don’t have a typical bride. My collection is so diverse so there really is something for everyone. I have gorgeous dresses to suit every body shape and a huge range of interchangeable separates so brides can truly express themselves on their big day and be the best version of themselves. I always say “be the bride you want to be” and that’s the cornerstone of Halfpenny London. We are all unique so it would be crazy to expect one style to suit all people! In my opinion, a woman should wear whatever she likes on her wedding day as long as it makes her feel good.
Where do you normally get your design inspiration from? and has it changed/ developed since covid?
I’m inspired by everything! I love art and architecture, nature and flowers… There’s so much to find beauty in if you lift your head. More often than not, my designs start with a magnificent fabric and the shape grows in front of my eyes, but when we went into lockdown here in the UK, I started looking closer to home for my inspiration. Instead of looking out, I started to look in and realised I had everything I need right here in front of me.
Out of this World, the last collection, was going to be completely different. It was all conceived pre-pandemic and was going to be a celebration of my love affair with textiles, full of decadent beading and textures. Instead, I took the silhouettes and married them with existing Halfpenny London hero fabrics, showcasing the exquisite patterns and expert construction by adding piping, accentuating the seams. It looks very different to how I initially imagined it would but I’ve kept the name as a reminder that things don’t always turn out how you planned, and beauty, like love, often looks quite different to how you imagined. It can be right under your nose and all you have to do is stop for a moment and look for it.
Are you excited to be able to reach the Australian bride through Helen Rodrigues?
We are so excited to finally have a presence in Australia and, more importantly, with our favourite store Helen Rodriques Bridal. Being a Brit, Helen totally understands my ethos and it brings me great joy that we’ve finally aligned and made this partnership a reality.
How did you decide on the pieces for the Australian bride?
My team and I worked with Helen and her team to bring together the ultimate, interchangeable edit of pieces to maximise the number of choices Australian brides will have by styling the pieces in different combinations. There’s something for everyone in this gorgeous edit and I’m so excited to see what the brides and the HR team create!
Any predictions for bridal trends in 2021?
I think couples are going to go bigger after the pandemic and celebrate the joy of actually being able to get married again. I think brides will go for that transformation moment and choose layers upon layers of pieces to peel back throughout the day, truly enjoying celebrating themselves and their bodies.
Book your exclusive appointment to try on the HALFPENNY London collection in store HERE.
