Once again, we were blown away with the sophisticated elegance of the latest collection from Michelle Roth and Henry Roth when we had the chance to catch up with the designer at a recent trunk at Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay. Talking one-on-one with Michelle Roth, it’s easy to see why this designer and her collection are such a staple for Canadian brides-to-be. The gowns are the perfect balance between femininity and fashion-forward finesse.
Left dress – Style Valentina; Right dress – Style Victoria
Today’s Bride: Talk to us about some of the dresses you’ve brought to Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay.
Michelle Roth: We have two brands – the Henry Roth and Michelle Roth collections – and with Henry, you’re going to get that affordable couture philosophy, a nod to the red carpet if you will. The inspiration for Henry has always been that a bride now really wants to express herself, and she wants to have a say on how she looks on her day. With Michelle, the style is quiet opulence and the elegance and sophistication regarding the ‘less is more’ philosophy. The latest Michelle Roth collection is influenced a lot by colour and is very architectural too.
TB: Which bridal trends are you most looking forward to?
MR: We try to set the trends, and it’s really about the feeling we have about the way we want our dresses to look, and that comes with each bride we meet. Our look is very much a part of how we work with our brides and the history we’ve had with them.
TB: What are some of the most important things you’ve learned having worked so closely with brides?
MR: Each bride is an individual, and each one has aspirations and dreams. Some of the stories from our brides are happy and some of them are sad, but they all culminate to a wedding and the wedding day is one that every bride aspires to be a happy day. Also, I think brides are very fashion-conscious and they have a more definite idea of how they want to look, and that’s a big change from how bridal used to be.
TB: How do you want a bride to feel in one of your gowns?
MR: Actually, I want them not to think about the dress (laughs). I want them to put on the dress and not have a single thought except for how beautiful they look and feel with it on. I want them to feel like they’re floating, like they’re really comfortable, and that it was meant for them. I really hope that when they walk down the aisle they feel proud with their dress choice.
TB: Designers can spend a lot of time on one particular dress, getting it just right. So when do you feel that a dress is finished?
MR: Design is an ongoing process, and I don’t think you ever feel that you are finished. I think that when we choose our laces and lay our fabrics, so many ideas pop into our heads it’s hard to say when. But you have to finish a dress, and sometimes it won’t look the way you imagined so you just have to let it go. Other times, it’s a “YES! That’s exactly what I wanted it to look like” moment, but there’s no fool-proof formula for a how a dress should look. Design, like life, is full of experiments and mistakes, but we learn from those mistakes and build on that.
TB: What advice do you have for brides before they head out on their dress-shopping experience?
MR: When a bride goes to find her dress, it’s important to go with an open mind. Look through the magazines, look on the Internet, but it comes time to try on dresses I think it’s best to come with as few people as possible in order to get that first experience of trying on a dress and deciding for yourself what you like and don’t like. This is one appointment that you want to be sure you’ll appreciate.
TB: What has been your favourite thing about working with Canadian brides?
MR: I just adore brides, and what I love about Canadian brides is how polite they are. They’re so open to new ideas and fashion. In my opinion, Canada is the centre of the fashion world because Canadians are so open to the style and influences outside of their own, but they still maintain their own unique character. I really feel there’s a connected passion, a heart-to-heart with our Canadian brides.
TB: Describe what that feeling is like…when you watch a bride emotionally fall in love and choose a dress from one of your collections.
MR: It just makes me feel like we’ve done what we’ve set out to do. I feel happy and excited to see her in the dress she’s chosen. I’ve been allowed into those special moments with a bride, so it’s a real privilege. And since I have a history of bridal in my family, (being the third generation), it just makes me feel like the legacy continues.
TB: What’s the most important thing you’ve taken away from all of your years designing bridal?
MR: I think the take-away is that you don’t give up – bridal is a very specific type of fashion and you truly have to love it. Because you collaborate with so many people, I’ve really learned to enjoy the whole process. I’m proud of what I do and I love doing it.
