Photo: Courtesy of Joanna August
Joanna August was inspired to create her bridal brand by her own 2008 wedding planning experience. Like many brides before her, August was frustrated by the bridesmaids dresses available, and set out to create looks that her friends would love to wear not only to her wedding, but to any occasion in the future. It's been nothing but beautiful style since then in the world of Joanna August, and we sat down with the designer to discuss her upcoming collection, her top styling tips for brides and her philosophy on embracing color.
Photo: Courtesy of Joanna August
August's upcoming bridesmaids collection is still focused on her classic chiffon silhouettes, but this season she's upping the sex appeal.
"I am very excited about this collection! I am sticking with chiffon (my signature fabric!) but this season, the look is a bit more streamlined than past collections. I really focused on clean lines, more fitted silhouettes and a little added sex appeal, such as a back cut outs and side slits in some of the skirts. Nothing over the top — just a subtle, sleek and sophisticated look."
August's top three style tips for brides? Stay true to your own style, go bold with your dress and choose complementing bridesmaid dresses.
When asked to share her top styling tips for brides, August brought all of her expertise dressing both brides and bridesmaids to the table. "For a bride on her wedding day, the goal should be to look like the most elevated version of herself, but not a different person entirely!" Elaborating on this, August continued, "Stay true to your style, but go for it with your dress! Now, that doesn't mean you have to wear a gown with a huge fairy princess skirt if you are more of a simple chiffon sheath-kind of girl. But whether it is custom made, home-made or off the rack, this is a day when it is absolutely okay to be the center of attention, so don't be afraid to amp it up! I am also not opposed to straying from classic white if that is where your heart takes you."
The bridesmaids specialist's final tip: Create a cohesive wedding party that is a complement to your wedding style. "If you have a wedding party, consider choosing a color or a color palette, and letting them pick their style. Remember, your bridesmaids, like your flowers and your table settings and your hair and makeup, are not a distraction from you, but just another opportunity to express yourself and achieve your desired overall aesthetic."
See More: See More of Joanna August's Bridesmaid Dress Designs
For wedding dresses, August embraces the color trend!
"I personally love the trend of dresses with a pop of color, and we have Vera Wang to thank for leading the way with her black and red collections in the past several years. Not to mention Gwen Stefani's amazing Dior dip-dyed pink wedding gown! While brides always have the option to order any of our dresses in all white, I think showing wedding dresses with some color is just another way of saying that it is okay to use fashion to express your personality — that is very important message to me!"
When it comes to celebrity inspiration, the designer loves Nicole Richie's versatile style.
When asked about her dream celebrity client, August was quick to answer with a smile. "I don't even have to think hard about this one! Nicole Richie. My team and I are huge fans of Nicole's. I think she has amazing style and is able to be a real chameleon; crowned style queen of the red carpet one day, and the queen of Coachella the next — all with purple hair! Nicole really uses clothing and fashion to express her personality and her mood, which is exactly the reason that I started my line in the first place — so that women could have a voice, and be able to convey their own style even within the confines of a wedding ceremony."