Last updated at 15:27, Thursday, 11 February 2010

DRESS designer Julie Tasker has just opened a new bridal shop in Bowness offering gowns from big name designers and her own bespoke designs.
DEBORAH KERMODE finds out more

STYLE: 1970s look bridal dress from Sassi Holford

JULIE Tasker has spent 10 years focusing on couture wedding dresses for the bride.

She knows and selects designers with the same values as herself – creating a dress in the finest of fabrics, paying attention to detail and displaying a genuine love for wedding dresses.

She has another, highly prized, skill – she will personally make a wedding dress exclusively for a bride, including the bride’s own ideas, colours and fabrics.

Julie brings all these skills and artistry to her new shop at 3 North Terrace, Bowness, which she opened on February 6, just in time for the Evening Mail wedding fair on February 21.

Julie said: “I have carefully selected designers and labels with the same values I have myself.

“My background – 10 years focusing, designing and making couture wedding dresses – means that I have a real expertise and am not just a retailer.

“This expert knowledge will ensure I match the right dress from our different suppliers to suit the bride and ensure a perfect fit.

“Unlike many other bridal shops I am only stocking dresses for the bride. I shall continue just to focus on the bride and only stock bridal gowns and hair accessories for the bride such as tiaras and veils.”

Julie plans to run a small range of dresses that she has designed and made herself.

She said: “I feel my bespoke couture service is a bit different to the usual bridal shop.

“My shop will be a place where a bride looking for a one-off unique dress can come and have a consultation with myself.

“A place where we can discuss styles and ideas.

“I will produce a design for the bride of her dress, making the dress to the bride’s chosen colours and fabrics, creating a dress that is truly original and a perfect fit.

“I have a work area within the shop where the bride can see the steps involved.”

Julie has thought long and hard about her shop, which she has created in a boutique style influenced by 12 months living in Barcelona.

“It’s a traditional bridal shop, but with a contemporary edge,” she said.

“It has a bright airy atmosphere, and an uncluttered feel.”

The shop officially opened on February 6, carrying gowns from award winning designers from the UK, Canada and France such as Sassi Holford, Ritva Westenius, Paloma Balanca and Ugo Zaldi.

First published at 12:59, Thursday, 11 February 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk