‘I think that as much as people want to have a bohemian, wafty wedding dress, we’ve all got cellulite, so you actually need a bit of structure to help you look and feel your best, as you want to on your wedding day,’ says Savannah Miller, holding up the star dress of her new 4-piece bridal collection for Nine at Debenhams.
The gown in question, which features a chic high neck, cap sleeves and flattering panelling detail, is proving to be a particular favourite since it launched online two weeks ago, with 40 selling in just under a fortnight – a real coup for the department store.
Capturing the spirit of a good old-fashioned English knees-up in the country, the four dresses each have their own distinct personality – one is Twenties in feel, with a drop waist, delicate embroidery and long-sleeves, another is more Seventies, with soft floaty cap sleeves and a cowl neck – but the thing that unites them all is their flattering fit, as well as a certain boho sensibility reminiscent of the other Miller sister, Sienna.
‘This was about creating four dresses that are really iconic and symbolic to me of that English country wild wedding but that had a point of difference so that there was something for everybody – an accentuated waist, a drop waist, a capped sleeve, a soft sleeve, a long sleeve,’ Savannah explains. ‘I try not to look around at what everyone else is doing – it’s so over-saturated already – and it’s so easy to think ‘oh they are doing that; we should do that too’ – but actually I feel like what you say is much clearer if you say it from your own voice anyway.’
High street bridal wear has had an upsurge in the past 12 months, with collections from Whistles, Ted Baker, Asos and Topshop all launching. Savannah thinks that part of this is to do with the customer – women want to wear something that reflects their own personality, rather than a stereotypical ‘bride’ that they can’t identify with themselves. It is also undoubtedly about the cost with the dress being one of the most expensive elements of any big day.
‘We want to have these aspirational moments, yet if you can’t afford to have your bespoke designer wedding gown, you still want to have your beautiful day in something that reflects who you are,’ she explains. ‘I think girls are getting much more true to who they are and wanting to be in something that’s reflecting that, not that ‘I’m getting married, therefore I’ll wear a princess dress’ thing.’
Retailing for less than £500, it’s easy to see why the designs are proving so popular. As Savannah puts it: ‘There’s an awful lot of bang for the buck – you wouldn’t actually know it’s high street.’
Available now on Debenhams.com