An Interview with Justin Alexander

Justin Alexander are known for their signature sophisticated and timeless bridal designs, as well as their unique vintage-inspired details. Loved by brides all over the world, we thought it time to discover what goes into the making of such classic, inspiring wedding dresses.

Plus, we’ve got a gorgeous first look at the latest Justin Alexander Fall/Winter 2017 collection just for you…

Tell us a little about the history of the brand. Where did Justin Alexander begin?

“The brand Justin Alexander began as a headpiece and veil company in New York in 1949 under the name T&G bridal. During that time, especially in New York, women were renouncing the idea of clothing as mere necessity and embracing fashion as a way to express femininity, confidence, and beauty.

“We fit right into the forward-thinking mindset and increasingly diverse desires of modern women at the time, and maintain this approach 63 years later. Today we are proud to feature five collections – Justin Alexander, Justin Alexander Signature, Lillian West, Sincerity and Sweetheart – which meet the needs and desires of all types of brides all over the world.

“We consistently aim to create designs that are distinctly recognized for their vintage inspiration paired with progressive details, which is and always has been the definition of our company.”

Who is the Justin Alexander woman? Is she classic with a hint of vintage? Old Hollywood glamour? Describe her to us…

“The Justin Alexander woman has a refined sense of style and is looking for a vintage-inspired wedding dress that makes her feel confident, elegant and glamorous.”

What can brides-to-be always expect from Justin Alexander? What is signature to the brand?

“The Justin Alexander design team are experts at combining trends with what really works on a women’s body. We spend a lot of time each year working directly with our brides, understanding what they like and don’t like. We work toward that magical moment when a bride knows she’s just put on the dress of her dreams.”

If Justin Alexander could have a particular celebrity or person to be the face of the bridal brand, who would it be? Who epitomizes Justin Alexander in their style and personality?

“There are many famous style icons that epitomize Justin Alexander. From Grace Kelly to Audrey Hepburn to Duchess Kate and Natalie Portman. Each of these ladies has a confident, sophisticated and timeless style that speaks to the Justin Alexander bride.”

Tell us about the design process for a new Justin Alexander bridal collection. Where does it begin? Where does the inspiration for a new line often emerge from? Are you inspired by trends?

“Our design team consists of several immensely talented designers who work together to create seasonal collections for each of our five brands. Inspiration comes from the world around us.

“For me, it’s everything from a museum to a flea market, and of course from brides themselves! Each season we kick off the new collection design with a meeting to share our inspiration, fashion trends, in-store experiences from the year, new materials, and more.

“We decide on several themes into which we will then design each collection. Then I normally head home to start sketching straight away!”

We love the details and silhouettes showcased in the brand’s latest 2017 collection. What was the inspiration behind the line?

“The Justin Alexander Spring/Summer 2017 collection reinterprets classic silhouettes and clean finishes with modernity and style. Inspired by the cosmopolitan woman, the collection includes sophisticated styles with carefully placed accents, such as banding, embroidered straps and unique back designs.

New colours – blush and sand – and new fabrics – crepe, Mikado, Silk Dupion, embroidery, bias-cut luxe charmeuse – define the line. The collection features a range of silhouettes and lengths to meet the needs of the confident, timeless bride.”

We particularly love the detachable lace cape debuted on Style 8907. What type of bride would this gown work perfectly for?

“This style is fantastic and any bride who chooses it as “The One” will look stunning in it. This particular bride is traditional with a modern sense of style as this gown has the conservative idea of a cape, but the cape is illusion. The mermaid silhouette would look great on the vast majority of brides because it accentuates a woman’s curves.”

READ MORE: Wedding Dresses with Capes That Stylish Brides Will Love

We also loved the integration of separates into the 2017 line. For you what is the beauty of a separate? What type of bride can you see these working well for?

“Separates are perfect for the bride who wants to mix and match to incorporate her own style into her wedding day look. They give options for changing the gown from ceremony to reception and for accessorizing in different ways.”

READ MORE: Bridal Seperates: Seriously Stylish Two Pieces

From your experience, when it comes to brides searching for ‘The One’ in dress terms where should they start? What should they be thinking about?

“It does not hurt to do a little research before your first visit to a bridal shop to get an idea of what you like. Take advantage of sites like Hitched, social media, and brand websites. Come with some ideas of what you like, but keep an open mind and lean on your bridal consultant for her advice and expertise. The consultants are experts and know what will look great! However, the most important piece of advice is to remember to be yourself and follow your heart.”

After the big day, what would you suggests brides do with their wedding gown?

“We strongly suggest that a bride gets her wedding dress professionally cleaned and preserved. Many bridal shops offer these services; however, if yours does not, they can usually suggest a reputable company whom they have worked with in the past.”

As Justin Alexander enters its sixth decade what can we expect from the brand for the future?

“We will continue to evolve with the trends, but will stay true to a classic sophistication with excellent quality.”

See more from Justin Alexander – view the full collection.