Designer Alert: Savannah Miller
Incorporating both directional and timeless designs into her collections, Savannah Miller uniquely captures a fashion voice within the bridal world. We speak with her to discuss her dream collaboration and pearls of wisdom.
We spoke with designer Savannah Miller to find out more.
What is the creative process like? Can you also tell us more about your studio and creative space?
The creative process is my favourite part of the whole year. We as a team brainstorm around ideas we are feeling for. Inevitably, I find inspiration in the glorious attention to detail that shows up in hand made archive garments. I am also very inspired by texture and interesting manipulation of fabric. Working on the bespoke part of the brand has really connected me to draping and bringing things to life in a three dimensional way. We work in a beautiful studio with a lot of natural light and are a small team, but its always exciting.
Could you name an iconic bride whose wedding dress you particularly admire/ consider an influence to your own work?
Its a cliché, but Carolyn Bessette because she was the epitome of the understated elegant bride - I really do stand by the belief that the understated is underrated.
Do you have an absolute favourite gown that you’ve designed? Can you tell us some design secrets behind it?
It would definitely be the Danielle. It was a real step change for us as a brand and really opened us up to a different way of designing that has been incredibly inspiring. The secret for me is always having little unexpected details that elevate the ordinary to make it feel fashion forward and sexy. In this case, we gave her a very deep split in the multiple folds of the skirt and we didn’t line it, so even though it was made of duchesse satin, it was lightweight.
You’ve dressed some big names over the years. Do you have any memorable or heartwarming stories about their reactions to wearing a Savannah Miller dress?
It’s always that moment where they try on their dress for the first time. It is so emotional for all of us because our brides can see how they will look at that most crucial life moment and also we see that we have brought their dream dress to life. It is such a privilege to be able to do what we do, every day!
What’s one of your favourite things in your own wardrobe?
My wedding dress, without a shadow of a doubt.
If you could collaborate on a collection with someone from any period in time, across any industry, who would it be and why?
I would love to collaborate with Alexander McQueen. I worked for him when I was at the very beginning of my career and there wasn’t a single day that I wasn’t blown away by his extraordinary imagination.
Have you any pearls of wisdom for aspiring designers?
Always be true to yourself and your own vision. It is so hard to be unique in a time when so much information is instantly at your fingertips, but it is in your own unique creative expression that your individual style resides that will set you apart from the rest.
You celebrated your own wedding this time last year – can you tell us about the vision behind the dresses? Were there certain components you wanted to include, and what influenced these looks?
We were married in December so I wanted to embrace the season of twinkly lights and magic by creating a wedding that was as magical as possible and maxing on the winter wonderland vibes but in a classy, ethereal way. My dress was made up of many interchanging elements. The base slip had a magnificent regency style corset and finished just above the natural waist in a liquid golden satin. Then I wore a lace overlay that was made using very fine tarnished gold thread. It had floor length waterfall sleeves and deep full godets but was made in the finest Chantilly so was super fairy like, almost like a spiders web in the frost. Then when I left the church to walk to my reception at Petersham Nurseries, I wore a floor length pale ivory sequin cape with a ruffle collar and some tulle and pearl gloves. I felt like a queen!
Finally, what is your vision for the future of the brand?
I would love to have a store of my own one day in London because meeting my brides is the best part of the whole process for me. Hearing peoples love stories will never get old.
