Destined to Design
Atlanta-based bridal gown designer Anne Barge bears the quintessential fairytale story of success and destiny in her career. With a passion for weddings in her school-age years, she began creating gowns for her schoolmates and paper dolls. Still determined to pursue her designing dreams in college, Barge happened upon a Priscilla of Boston trunk show wherein she revealed her sketchbook and landed the dream of a lifetime as an apprentice designer. The rest was history as Barge embarked on a burgeoning career to create her name-bearing design powerhouse that exists today. Here, she sits down with I Do to talk about how she changed wedding tradition in the UK, her current favorite apparel trends and what brides can expect to see from her Spring 2009 collection.
by Kate Parrott
Designer Anne Barge
I Do: What piqued your interest in creating bridal gowns?
Barge: My interest in creating bridal gowns began when I was about three years old. My mother was a church organist and took me to weddings on a regular basis.
I Do: When did you know that you had built a successful, well-known company?
Barge: Maybe the defining moment was winning NBC’s “Today Throws a Wedding” when hundreds of thousands of people across the United States voted for my dress.
I Do: Describe the look and feel of your dresses.
Barge: The look of my gowns is always timeless and classic with historic elements and fabric treatments.
I Do: What distinguishes your Black Label, Couture and La Fleur collections from one another?
Barge: We have three divisions in the Anne Barge Collection so that we might address different price points. They all have the same classic lines, fantastic construction and beautiful fabrics. The opening price point is La Fleur, with pricing from $2,400 up to $3,500, and most of the line has very clean, architectural lines. The Anne Barge Couture Collection is priced up to $6,000. The Black Label is priced above $6,000. The higher price points use more elaborate beading and embroideries and more expensive fabrics.
I Do: Where do you derive inspiration for your designs? What other designers have influenced you?
Barge: The inspiration for my designs comes from historic fashion, both modern and vintage. I especially love the elegance and opulence of the European royal courts. The one designer that has inspired me the most is Chanel. Other designers I admire are Balenciaga and Valentino.
I Do: What did you do before designing full time?
Barge: My occupation before becoming a designer full time was [working as] managing director of Virgin Bride in London, owned by Richard Branson. Prior to that I managed the Saks Bridal Departments nationwide, and prior to that I owned Anne Barge for Brides.
I Do: Tell us more about your experience working with Branson and Virgin Bride.
Barge: Richard was a one-man show; we never had to advertise when we opened the store. We had a runway fashion show, and for the finale, Richard came out in drag, with a mini bridal dress, shaven legs, yellow heels, blonde wig and full makeup. The next day, his picture was on the front page of every newspaper in the world, announcing the opening of Virgin Bride. The rest would fill a book!
I Do: You’re known for having changed tradition in the UK by introducing adult bridesmaid gowns. How did that happen?
Barge: When I arrived in the UK in 1996, I had bought [American] adult bridesmaid gowns for Virgin Bride, forgetting that UK brides’ attendants were always children. Oops! But soon the idea caught on, and within a short time, everyone was having adult bridesmaids in their weddings. Well, almost everyone!
I Do: For which celebrities have you designed?
Barge: We have done gowns for “The Bold and the Beautiful”; Montel Williams’ bride, Heidi Newfield of Trick Pony; Meredith Eaton of “Boston Legal”; Lennox Lewis’ wife, Violet Chang; and two Georgia governors’ daughters, Beth Busbee and Allison Barnes. But all of our brides are celebrities!
I Do: What are some of your favorite trends that you’re currently seeing with wedding apparel?
Barge: One of my favorite current trends is necklines other than strapless—sleeve treatments, bateau necklines, V-necklines, bolero jackets … [there are] many great alternatives!
I Do: How do you distinguish your gowns from those of other designers?
Barge: My gowns differ in many ways. First, there is a great fit. We are capable of custom making the gowns where special measurements are required to ensure that the fit is perfect. Second, the construction is like a historical costume, complete with inner bodices, bonings and lining.
I Do: What can we expect to see from you in terms of design in 2009?
Barge: You can expect to see some really different gowns—very unusual embroideries and fabrications. I find that most brides today are reaching out to gowns with character that do not look like what they would deem “typical.”