A Class Act

For more than 25 years, Sharon Hoey has been at the very forefront of Irish and international bridal design. As well as her own gorgeous creations, her tranquil Dublin salon also stocks gowns from some of the world's leading bridal figures. WJ finds out more...

Home is definitely where the 'art' is for award-winning fashion and bridal designer Sharon Hoey. After graduating from Dublin's prestigious Grafton Academy, Sharon quickly became one of the biggest names in Eighties Irish fashion design, winning a Late Late Fashion Award for her distinctive, layered, almost Japanese-influenced clothes and also scooping Bridal Designer of the Year in 1993, for a fabulous tartan wedding dress.

These days however, Sharon's focus and passion is completely bridal – with each sumptuous gown designed and made entirely in Ireland. And there is no sign of that adventurous tartan – just exquisite creations that ooze style, class and elegance.

"I became aware in the mid 90s, that bridal design was where my true passion lay," she told Wedding Journal. "And despite my award-winning tartan, most brides really don't want to wear an outlandish gown on their wedding day," she laughs.

"The tough recession of the late 80s and early 90s, made it very tough for designers to make a living from creating amazing pieces that may look good on the catwalk, but which no one buys.

"My wedding dresses are all about understated elegance and refinement, coupled with modernity, confidence and poise and a fabulous finish.

"The entire range is created and made entirely in our Dublin studio, using only the finest Italian silks, crepe, fiame satin, chiffon and georgette. Extraneous detail is kept to a minimum, a subtle crystal here, a chiffon corsage there, that's it. Silhouette is all.

"It's important to me that I can personally oversee the whole design and production process and that I am supporting the local economy as well."

As well as her own dresses, Sharon's salon also offers bridal gowns from some of the world's leading designers, including, Suzanne Neville, Sassi Holford, Jenny Packham, MiaMia, Cymbeline and many more. She has recently become the sole Irish stockist for the Olivia Couture range.

"The dresses I offer brides-to-be are very important to me. I'm very fussy," she laughs. "I personally select each range as I want everything on offer in the shop to be of the same quality of design and workmanship as my own dresses.

"The Olivia couture label brings a very directional and modern twist to the wedding gown, featuring beautifully structured silhouettes and imaginative seaming.

"Olivia couture dresses have been described as, 'true romantic with a twist', which sits very well with my own ethos."

Hilariously, Sharon won't be drawn on what her own wedding dress was like: "It was the 80s – what can I say?" she laughs. "It was terrible – I don't want to even think about it now!"

Although she initially became famous as a fashion designer, who specialised in amazing and beautiful evening wear, she insists that she has no desire to ever work again in any area other than bridal.

"I love what I'm doing now," she says. "Irish brides are actually much more forward-thinking and open-minded about their wedding dress design than a lot of European and UK brides.

"For a long time, they were influenced by tradition, but these days, our brides-to-be want quality, individuality, elegance and taste, which is probably why I love what I'm doing so much.

"The days of the overly-fussy gown has gone, now it's all about quality little details, perfectly placed."

Asked where she gets her influences from for her creations, she replies: "It's mostly my customers who inspire me, plus a little escapism and daydreaming," she laughs.

"When a client comes to me with an idea of her ideal wedding dress and asks me to create it, it's fabulous being able to bring her dream dress to life.

"It's quite a long process, but I believe in putting a lot of care and effort into each and every dress I design and make – whether they are bespoke or not.

"The optimism and joy of the brides-to-be that I meet inspires me to create beautiful gowns."

As well as wedding dresses, Sharon also offers a select and very beautiful range of accessories including specially designed veils to suit all dresses in the salon, which can be customised to any length. There is also a wide range of shoes, tiaras and jewellery all handpicked by Sharon affording the opportunity to add individuality and customise your look.

Like everyone in the wedding industry, Sharon isn't underestimating the effect that this year's Royal Wedding will have on bridal dress design.

"Whatever, Kate Middleton wears will influence the industry for years to come," she says. "The same way Diana's dress did.

"However, I believe Kate's dress will be elegant and graceful, with just a little tradition thrown in. I think it will be very good for the bridal industry. It's going to be a very exciting year for weddings."

*Sharon Hoey is at: 19 Upper Mount St. Dublin 2. Tel: 00353 1 6762 772. www.sharonhoey.com