Canadian bridalwear designer Gaby Bayona, of eclectic label Truvelle, is bringing her whimsical bridal designs to SA. Listen in to find out what inspires her, then click through the gallery below to see some of her stunning designs.
When did you start designing gowns and what inspired you to start?
“Though I grew up in the wedding industry, I didn’t design my first dress until 2010. My mom had a boutique in Western Canada which specialised in custom wedding gowns, and what started as tweaks to her current designs became gowns that were completely my own. Things escalated from there, and by 20 I found myself co-running the business. I left that dress shop during the spring of 2013, and launched Truvelle the following October. My start in the wedding industry was serendipitous, but my inspiration to continue is from my brides.”
What made you bring your collection to SA?
“It’s always been a dream to sell outside of my continent, so when PE’s LOCA Vintage Bridal Lounge reached out to me, I was ecstatic! I know a fair amount of South Africans in Vancouver, and they never cease to be genuinely wonderful people with a sense of refinement and adventure. They’re a group I can resonate with, and can see getting married in a Truvelle gown.”
What makes your bridal line special?
“The Truvelle dresses are a reflection of whoever I am at the time, and since I’m a constantly changing individual, my line follows my distinct journey. I also have the advantage of age – I don’t have to put myself in the shoes of my target market, because I am my target market.”
Who is the Truvelle bride?
“Truvelle’s brand is effortless, refined, and modern, but it’s harder to pinpoint our brides. There’s no one thing about them; I’m kept on my toes with each bride I meet. And even more special is how they can all wear the same item yet look completely unique because of who they are. I design the gown, and the girl designs the story – it’s such a lovely notion.”
When you wear such a detailed wedding dress, how should you accessorise?
“There isn’t a right or wrong way to accessorise, because everybody’s different. Personally, I would wear beautiful shoes, gold stud earrings, and a cuff bracelet worn mid-arm. Makeup and hair would be a polished version of my everyday look – natural and simple, highlighting your best features.”
What are your thoughts on short vs long wedding gowns?
“I love full-length wedding gowns, because it’s not every day you get to wear a long, fancy dress. If you’re going to get dressed up, get dressed up! I just think it’s so empowering.”
Ombré has been big in beauty, and now you’re bringing it into your wedding gowns…
“We introduced an ombré gown to this year’s collection, and it has resonated with our brides hugely. It’s such an effortless way to give a unique edge to even the most traditional of silhouettes. I do think it’ll be big in clothes and gowns this season and beyond.”
Your designs are accented by colour and glitz – a little different to the traditional wedding dress!
“Funnily enough, glitz and colour in a wedding gown are not so much emerging trends, but an emerging norm. White gowns were thrown into popularity in the mid-1800s by Queen Victoria, who wore a white lace gown to her nuptials. Prior to that, women wore their best dress. White gowns have been a trend for over a century, and I love working with new colour schemes and unconventional materials.”
What are your favourite fabrics for wedding dresses?
“I’m crazy for chiffons and novelty fabrics – the former for its effortlessness and the latter for originality.”
Who are the women that your gowns are named after?
“All of the Truvelle gowns are linked to something personal in my life. My first collection was named after women who were there for me during the company’s launch – friends, my photographer, my graphic designer, and my mom. I wanted to pay tribute to them, because Truvelle’s so much bigger than I am. My recent collection was named after street names in cities that left a lasting impression. The year has been both remarkable and tumultuous, and the stories within 2015’s descriptions were excerpts from my travel journal.”
How can you wear your wedding dress beyond your big day?
“Bringing up the hemline is a great way to wear your gown post-wedding. Generally speaking, straight chiffon skirts are among the easiest, as when shortened they look like a summer dress. You could also add dress-down touches to your gown, such as a thin leather belt or casual cover-up.”
Truvelle gowns are available online at Etsy, as well as at LOCA Vintage Bridal Lounge in PE.
For your A-Z guide of wedding-dress trends, click here!
