Today I am chatting with designer Maud from MaudiKa Bridal a wedding dress shop Oxford. All I can say is I wished she had started this business sooner as this is exactly what I was looking for when I got engaged a couple of years ago. Too late for me, but I’m so excited that at last, this amazing cool little bridal shop has hit the streets of Oxford.
As soon as you walk in to MaudiKa Bridal on the Cowley road you feel like you’re in a cosy front room and are greeted with the lovely Maude – not a sales person, but the designer of your dress.
She is a listener.
Q: TELL ME ABOUT THE PROCESS OF MAKING A DRESS WITH YOU
When a bride comes to me, we come up with a design together. I have some designs in the showroom to help with ideas and see what fits and works. Everything is handmade with just the two of us working. I work on the design and fabrics and my colleague (and best friend) Katerina makes the dress. Then the bride returns for fittings and I do any necessary alterations. The whole process takes about 2 months
Q: ANY ADVICE FOR BRIDES LOOKING TO BUY A DRESS FROM THE RAIL?
Be open minded, and try on loads of different styles to see which one makes you feel great. You can purchase some dresses off the rail from us, most are really light, and airy, and really comfortable. I try on all the dresses we sell to see how they feel.
Q: HOW MUCH SHOULD A BRIDE EXPECT TO PAY?
Our dresses start from £700 and range up to £2000. As a rough guide the more fabric the more expensive the dress.
Q: WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT?
The style of the dresses. They’re made with with mix and match new and vintage fabrics. The bride can be as involved as she likes with the process of designing an entirely new dress or choosing an existing one from the rail.
Q: WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
I’m in love with Edwardian era and can often be found in the library researching dresses and fabrics from those times. Maybe I was born in the wrong century.
Q: ANY ADVICE ABOUT WHO TO BRING WHEN SHOPPING FOR A DRESS?
Don’t bring anyone with you who’ll be pushy. You could come with just one trusted friend or even on your own. I offer a one to one personalised experienced, informal and cosy. We can have a coffee and talk through ideas. Traditional bridal shops can be a bit intimating. I’m a designer here not a sales person, I will be honest and open with my thoughts and opinions.
Q: HAVE YOU ANY ADVICE FOR A BRIDE MAKING HER OWN DRESS?
You must make a toile first. This is a test garment made of inexpensive fabric. By making this you can test the cut, size and shape of the garment before cutting into your dream fabric. Avoid fake, shiny statin or anything stiff, this looks cheap and nasty. Feel the fabric before you buy it, this doesn’t rule out buying online as many shops will let you buy a test sample.
Q: CAN YOU SHARE THE LOVE AND RECOMMEND ANY OTHER SUPPLIERS?
I would recommend the lady upstairs Beth Gilmour Jewellery, she is very talented, she makes bespoke wedding rings + engagement rings at very reasonable prices. I also love Bicycle Blooms, who I have collaborated with on the new collection, she makes the most beautiful flower crowns ever
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Thank you for sharing your tips with us Maud, if you know anyone getting married and struggling with finding something unique, I highly recommend checking out her showroom, I am well impressed.
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Planning a wedding in Oxford? You may want to also check out my last chat with blog post… when I had a chat to camille about how to style your wedding