The WINterview / Kate Beaumont
She is the designer and creator of understatedly beautiful and ethically made wedding gowns, based in Sheffield whose driving force is the brides that she works closely with to bring much joy! We took time out to chat to Kate Beaumont as she celebrates 10 years in bridal.
Why bridal?
I’d studied fashion at university but had fallen out of love with the idea of working in the industry after spending a year travelling. My best friend asked me to make her a wedding dress, and after looking into vintage wedding gowns, I realised that bridal didn’t have to be the strapless-corset-and-poufy-skirt that I’d always seen up to that point. It reconnected me to design and helped me figure out a way I could be involved in every aspect of the process – design, making and connecting with people along the way. Making those connections with my brides is one of the things I love most about what I do – it brings me so much joy!
What do you do when you’re not working?
I spend time with my family and hang out with friends. Drink too much coffee with my pals in cafes. Swim in cold water. Read novels. Stroke my cat. Visit galleries and open studios. Go for long walks in the Peak District.
Do you keep sketches of all of your designs?
I do, but in quite a slapdash way! I don’t usually draw every design out separately as a beautiful, stylised fashion illustration, but keep the working drawings of each collection which develop as we make the dresses come to life.
Do you have a signature style?
Understated, effortless, romantic, elegant.
What does your bride look like?
They’re all so different, but I think the confidence in feeling so good in what they wear on such a huge day shines out of them. My brides always comment on how happy they are to find a dress that they feel connects with who they are and makes them feel like their best version of themselves.
Kate's bride Polly Image: Pauly Wright
Have you ever walked the catwalk?
No, thank goodness – I’ll leave that to the professionals!
Which boutiques stock you in the UK?
None at present, everything is available exclusively here in Sheffield. I would like to find a few lovely boutiques across the country to work with over the next few years though!
What makes a good bridal boutique great?
Great style coupled with excellent customer service – being friendly and welcoming is so important, and never forgetting that every dress is a huge deal for every bride.
What makes you unique, and successful – what is your USP?
It’s our 10th year in business this year, which is really something to celebrate. I think we’re unique in creating understated designs that don’t shout – they’re subtle and timeless with a minimal modern edge. We only use luxurious materials – silks and laces and enjoy the craft of making each dress just as the bride who’s chosen it has requested – changing design details and combining elements of various dresses as required.
Having a dress made for you is a really special experience, and we relish the opportunity to make genuine connections with our brides along the way – fittings are always a fun and relaxed but exciting experience with us.
Whose accessories complement your designs the best?
We’ve recently added a curated collection of accessories to the studio and online store that all work so beautifully with our dresses. All are made by female designer-makers, all independents and all based in the UK.
I’ve selected pieces that work on the wedding day and beyond, and included lower price pieces that would make perfect gifts for bridesmaids too.
Tell us about your latest collection?
Each collection is a continuation of what came before, and the new designs should sit effortlessly along the older dresses on the rails. Our most recent additions focused on opaque and matte fabrics – various silk georgettes and marocains – and full, flowing skirts paired with delicate English and French laces. We also added in a couple of subtly shimmering sequin fabrics, something I’ve been keen to do for a while.
What’s your favourite gown?
It varies all the time! Currently probably Corncockle – I love the delicacy of the lace trim with the double georgette, and those front buttons. I got married in Honeysuckle eleven years ago, and that design will always have my heart.
Kate's favourite style, Corncockle
Did you know...?
Kate also creates a beautiful selection of bridal lingerie, a capsule collection of pieces that are handmade to order using silk off-cuts because sustainability is at the heart of everything Kate does!
Find out more on the website kate-beaumont.co.uk and follow Kate on socials @katebeaumont
Contact kate@kate-beaumont.co.uk for stockist enquiries.
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