Trish Peng Couture is the bespoke bridal service that brings specialized services to every bride’s special day. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, Founder and Creative Director Trish Peng brings a heightened luxury to bridal couture, not only with ready-to-wear collections that drop each season, but with a dedicated custom service to tailored bridal wear. Trish Peng is selective; only 20 lucky brides per year get the Trish Peng Couture experience, and in this story, Trish Peng herself takes us behind the scenes on what it’s like to be a Trish Peng bride.
You have a background in fashion; what drew you to the bridal category specifically?
Creating one-off and custom evening wear was where it all started for me. Designing dresses that make the wearer feel beautiful and working closely with each client to design something that truly complements them is my passion. From there, I started designing custom wedding dresses for a few clients and the rest is history.
Your wedding lookbook is on your website; what role did your brand play in your own special day?
One thing I have made sure throughout my 10 years in business is maintaining the integrity of my designs and staying true to my style and brand aesthetic. For example, my signature 3D florals can be seen in the very first wedding dress I designed right down to current collection dresses including my very own ceremony dress. With this, my brand style was definitely incorporated into our overall wedding decor, which was floral, modern, romantic, yet timeless, mirroring the essence of our dresses.
What is the Trish Peng Couture Experience? What makes these bespoke design services unique?
The Trish Peng Couture Experience is a unique and personalized journey. It entails working collaboratively with each bride to bring their dream dress to life. Anything is possible including designing your very own fabric. All of our bespoke dresses are meticulously handcrafted in our Auckland atelier, with each bespoke design requiring at least 100 hours or more of craftsmanship. It is the best experience for anyone seeking a one-of-a-kind gown.
How long is a bespoke dress’ journey?
The process of creating a bespoke dress is usually eight to 12 months. It is a unique journey we embark on with each bride, working closely to exceed dreams and expectations while also ensuring the perfect fit.
Can a client customize existing pieces from current collections?
Absolutely! Custom is central to our philosophy at Trish Peng, so we extend and offer this service on all of our collection dresses for both our local and international brides.
Is it difficult juggling 20 bespoke projects per year? How do you manage this large bulk of bespoke clientele while running the rest of the brand?
Managing 20 bespoke designs each year can be challenging. However, it’s a balancing act that we have mastered over time. We have recently limited our bespoke dresses to 20 each year to ensure we continue to deliver the high level of service Trish Peng is known for.
What is the distinct Trish Peng aesthetic?
Trish Peng dresses are renowned for being feminine and elegant yet modern and timeless. Our brand’s distinctive aesthetic is evident in all of our creations, with our stockists often noting that they can identify a Trish Peng dress at a glance.
What inspires your collections?
Our collections are inspired by a variety of sources, with key inspiration coming from whispers from brides as well as runway trends. We listen closely to feedback from brides to understand their desires and preferences, incorporating these insights into our designs. Additionally, we draw inspiration from runway trends outside of bridal to offer modern and unique dresses for our brides.
How long does it take to curate a collection? What is the process from design sketch to ready-to-wear?
Curating a collection is a meticulous process that takes several months to complete. It begins with gathering inspiration and analyzing trend forecasts, which then inform the design sketches. From there we layer and source fabrics ready for the production phase. We then make adjustments along the way to ensure the desired look and fit.
How often are collections launched?
Our collections are launched once a year due to the extensive process involved in curating each collection. This timeline allows us to perfect each piece to ensure that it meets our high standards of quality and craftsmanship.
Any exciting news or developments you can tease for the upcoming year?
We have so much excitement in store for the upcoming year! We recently launched our new brand, T.Begg Tailoring, specializing in men’s custom suits, which has been incredibly well-received. We are also currently working on a new collection, which we can’t wait to unveil! There is so much more, which we can’t wait to share.
