News feed
Just two weeks ago, GRAZIA swooned over the white silk slip dress Audrina Patridge wore to her wedding rehearsal dinner. We adored it even more when we learned it was by an Australian label.
Audrina Patridge (pictured here with husband Corey Bohan) wore Grace Loves Lace’s Arlo silk gown to her wedding rehearsal dinner
Credit: Instagram @audrinapatridge
“That was a really special moment,” says Megan Ziems, the founder and creative director of said brand, Grace Loves Lace. “I spoke to her personally and she is a genuine fan of the brand.” So too are Millie Macintosh and Margot Robbie – the latter posting a pic donning a Grace Loves Lace off-the-shoulder top while recently picnicking with friends in London.
Founder and creative director Megan Ziems
Credit: Grace Loves Lace
Spurred on by the extremely stressful plight to find her perfect wedding dress, Megan decided to create the label in 2011. “That was it in a nutshell. I ended up designing my dress – a ’90s Spanish-inspired senorita dress comprised of lace and silk. I was generally shocked and disappointed at the bridal industry.
“I wanted to turn bridal into fashion – really luxurious, wearable, accessible garments.”
Based out of Burleigh Heads in Queensland, all pieces are made in Australia with European lace. The label, which initially just created dramatic bridal gowns, now also designs simplistic, chic dresses, skirts, bodysuits and tops, and also offers shoes and jewellery.
The most pinned bridal dress on Pinterest for 2016 was this Grace Loves Lace Alexandra gown
Credit: Grace Loves Lace
Ziems stresses that her garments are made to be comfortable – there is no structure, no corsets, no boning. They are to act as a second skin, and are meant to be worn to any occasion. “We made the collection open to interpretation. There’s a formal and non-formal aspect to each, so yes, they can be worn whenever the woman pleases,” she explains.
The incredibly chic Belle Silk Split skirt by Grace Loves Lace is one of the label’s most popular pieces
Credit: Grace Loves Lace
The designer is also ready to squash the common misconception that lace is very old-fashioned. “While it’s still very feminine, lace is evolving. There is now geometric, clean line laces and block patterns. The really traditional and ultra-feminine lace, Chantilly, is more vintage and we don’t use it as much. Lace is becoming more fashion forward – it’s really becoming more modern,” Ziems clarifies.
Margot Robbie is a fan of the brand, pictured here wearing its Everyday Crop in ivory
Credit: Instagram @margotrobbie
Grace Loves Lace has been so successful, it is set to open a showroom in London and recently opened its first Venice, Los Angeles boutique, which has seen several Victoria’s Secret models come through its doors. Yet what is undoubtedly the label’s highest accolade is that their Alexandra stretch fabric lace gown was the most pinned wedding dress on Pinterest in the world for 2016. “I heard about it and I couldn’t really believe it. It was such wonderful news.”
Grace Loves Lace’s latest offering includes bridal gowns, bodysuits, tops and day dresses, including this black Verdelle dress
Credit: Graces Loves Lace
As for advice for their big day, Ziems urges brides to “keep an open mind. Maybe you’ll look better in a silhouette that you didn’t think would suit you. And relax. It’s a wedding dress. It’s one day. There are many other things in life, and this is meant to be a joyous time.”
And with Grace Loves Lace’s options, we have no doubt all brides-to-be will find the perfect garment for their wedding day… or event just for picnicking.
