Emilia Wickstead Quotes

I love doing fittings and seeing women look really confident in their clothes because they're not wearing something too boxy but that really shows off their figures. Everybody has a different figure - it's important to design for different shapes.

- Emilia Wickstead

I put myself into another world and another identity, and I design not for how my life is but for how my imaginary life is.

- Emilia Wickstead

Here in London, you can go for picnics and have a barbecue; you can go to a park and wear bare feet, much like New Zealand. But there's just so much buzz going on; you can be inspired by anything and everything. There's always something to do. Always.

- Emilia Wickstead

Red lipstick aside, I firmly believe that less is more in terms of make-up.

- Emilia Wickstead

I'd say I play on old world couture as opposed to modern day bridal; there's something very timeless and appealing in that.

- Emilia Wickstead

It's about having that nice balance. I think that's the answer to today's modern girl who is on the run. She's throwing on something before she goes out, but I still believe in the glitz and the glamour of everything and making that come to life.

- Emilia Wickstead

My autumn/winter 2011-12 collection embodies the bold and beautiful while reflecting an innovative style and passion for immaculate design. I believe that this collection radiates modern femininity and beauty in its purest form.

- Emilia Wickstead

The Emilia Wickstead customer is a sophisticated, accomplished woman who expresses her femininity and style through the way she dresses. She appreciates classic with a twist, yet luxurious and high quality clothing that make her feel confident, elegant, and ultimately chic.

- Emilia Wickstead

What's exciting for me is to make sure that people do still dress up - how do we do that in this fast-paced modern world, when we're all on the move and all so busy?

- Emilia Wickstead

To escape and sit quietly on the beach - that's my idea of paradise.

- Emilia Wickstead

I enjoy going for brunch at Granger & Co. in Notting Hill and having my all-time favourite: poached eggs and avocado on toast. I love the aesthetic of the space and the fresh, modern approach in the dishes.

- Emilia Wickstead

My wedding dress was featured by 'Vogue' and 'American Town and Country,' and from there, people started to come to us because they had seen that dress.

- Emilia Wickstead

The AW14 collection is inspired by Film Noir. Elements of masculinity and femininity were reflected in the fabric, tailoring, and features.

- Emilia Wickstead

I saw a niche in the market where made-to-measure wasn't being done in a modern, fresh way or in a short period of time. Traditionally, bespoke orders take a very long time, but I thought, 'Here we are with all these fashion-forward ideas - why not?'

- Emilia Wickstead

I love seeing a woman in a beautiful dress and pairing it with a light shoe that shows skin - I really believe in toe cleavage.

- Emilia Wickstead

You can see that ladylike kind of dressing with a twist coming back at Dior, and I think that a lot of the fashion is following in those kinds of footsteps. It's wearable. It sits in your wardrobe forever.

- Emilia Wickstead

Old images and films are my main source of inspiration.

- Emilia Wickstead

I was very aware of the fact that I was a young designer, and I didn't want to fall into the trap of 'mother of the bride' dressing and 'occasion-wear.' I wanted to make sure that girls my age were wearing it and that there was a cool factor to my clothes.

- Emilia Wickstead

I love the cleanness of Kaare Klint and Rud Rasmussen furniture, especially the wooden criss-cross under-bars of their sofas.

- Emilia Wickstead

My father, Dennis Popham, was a very handsome, talented artist, and as my mother always reminds me, 'someone who had wonderful style.' He was half Samoan-German, half New Zealander, and their first date was to a Fleetwood Mac concert, which I love the thought of.

- Emilia Wickstead

As for design, I gravitate to traditional styles but mix it with an element of surprise. Whether it's a big sash bow in the back or an unexpected fabric, it all needs to work together.

- Emilia Wickstead

My grandmother, Amalia Pia Emilia Vignola, whom I called Nonna, brought out the fairy tale in everything. She used to tuck me into bed so vigorously that I never felt anything less than comforted, and then afterwards, she would sit on a cane basket box next to my bed and read Hans Christian Andersen to me.

- Emilia Wickstead

The minute that a celebrity wears your clothing, that gives you international exposure and the best advertising you can get.

- Emilia Wickstead

I like to think that people are buying Emilia Wickstead because they want to keep it in their wardrobe as an investment piece; she's not just buying it because it's of the moment or what's currently in season.

- Emilia Wickstead

The majority of our clients are British. They want to wear things time and time again.

- Emilia Wickstead

I have clients from 19 to 80 years old, and the way I work means that they can take the same dress and shorten, lengthen it, remove the sleeve, adjust details - and make it their own. They get a piece that is right for them. It's a clever way of shopping in this economy.

- Emilia Wickstead

I was so young when I started, my taste has changed and developed, and I've gone from being a little bit safe to trying different things.

- Emilia Wickstead

It's a huge achievement to have anyone wearing your clothes, and when they are in the limelight, it's the best advertisement for your brand.

- Emilia Wickstead

I don't like the word 'ladylike.'

- Emilia Wickstead

I want to offer a wide range of classic and contemporary bridalwear to suit all personalities, readily available to try on.

- Emilia Wickstead

There are many bespoke services in the U.K., but everything's quite old-fashioned. There wasn't anything young and modern and fresh. We're this young service, where a 25-year-old might come and get some great skirts and her mum could come in for some linens.

- Emilia Wickstead

In the day, I wear mascara and tinted moisturiser - although I've learnt that if I'm getting my photograph taken, it's better to apply more; otherwise, I look really, really tired.

- Emilia Wickstead

I wore one of my own designs on my wedding day.

- Emilia Wickstead

The message I want to put forward for women is that I never want it to be about, 'Oh, it's a bit difficult to put that together,' or, 'She can dress that way, but I can't.' Actually, my designs are for all women, and I truly believe that you can make yourself feel wonderful in whatever you wear. That's the importance behind what I design.

- Emilia Wickstead

I feel far more empowered, sophisticated, and forward-thinking in flats than in high heels. Especially when I am working and hosting meetings.

- Emilia Wickstead

It's almost like a chintzy floral that I play on, and sometimes it can get a bad rep. It doesn't necessarily feel modern, but with different silhouettes and cuts, it can.

- Emilia Wickstead

I don't think there's any excuse for not being able to put on a beautiful product and make yourself feel fabulous. Just have some key pieces in your wardrobe that aren't seasonal.

- Emilia Wickstead

A lot of people ask, 'How did you start the business, and how did you do it money-wise?' And the truth is that I had three jobs. A day job, an evening job, and then designing my collection as well. That's just how we did it.

- Emilia Wickstead

I'm always designing for that sort of dressed-up woman who likes to go to different occasions, who's career focused, but she entertains in the evening... a very sophisticated-feeling working woman who likes to have fun.

- Emilia Wickstead

I've had women buy their entire wardrobes from me; from suits to full-length evening gowns and sophisticated day dresses, they buy everything.

- Emilia Wickstead

We're creating a brand image which didn't exist in the beginning, and I want to grow that. And in the way that the clothes and services we offer are a luxurious niche, I want to be doing that with accessories.

- Emilia Wickstead

Skincare is incredibly important. I try to look after my skin as much as possible because I'm always inspired by women who age gracefully and naturally.

- Emilia Wickstead

I think I'm starting to be a little bit more appreciated or a little bit more noticed in the industry.

- Emilia Wickstead

Prada Infusion d'Iris perfume - my mother wears it, so it feels like home away from home. It's lovely to smell her scent at all times.

- Emilia Wickstead

There is so much talent in British fashion: a real cookie jar of different aesthetics with designers like Mary Katrantzou, Erdem, Christopher Kane, J. W. Anderson, and Simone Rocha.

- Emilia Wickstead

I would not dress Katie Price. Ever. It's important to keep the right look, so it's important to be dressing the right people.

- Emilia Wickstead

I strongly believe that many of the best decisions are made on gut instinct.

- Emilia Wickstead

My clients can choose their own colours and fabrics to have something unique in their wardrobes.

- Emilia Wickstead

I never get my hair done. I just do it myself.

- Emilia Wickstead

From the age of 11, I was taught the importance of earning my own money. I would babysit, walk dogs, clean cars, and work at the local corner shop and the butcher's. If I wanted to buy something, I always bought it myself.

- Emilia Wickstead

I always think about my lifestyle when designing, so that's being a mother, being a career woman, being a wife, and being a woman who loves to entertain.

- Emilia Wickstead

My grandmother has strongly influenced my approach to beauty. She has always cared for her skin by cleansing and washing her face with warm water in the morning. At all times, she has lipstick on and her face is immaculately powdered - she follows the same routine to this day and looks great at 94.

- Emilia Wickstead

The most wonderful thing about having a small business is that every person we dress gets a really intimate process.

- Emilia Wickstead

If I'd really known how hard I was going to have to work behind the scenes to have any kind of business, I think I would have stopped.

- Emilia Wickstead

I think that we cater for the woman that wants to be fashion-forward but also wants to purchase an investment piece that she'll have in her wardrobe forever.

- Emilia Wickstead

When I think of Bicester, I think of those beautiful pieces that you might not have been able to purchase before, but they're pieces that you'll keep forever.

- Emilia Wickstead

Once, four friends and I cut all our hair off, like boys. A couple of them cried afterwards, but I thought we looked really good.

- Emilia Wickstead

I think that the typical Emilia Wickstead women is very effortless, very sophisticated: she's got alluring style, and she's always taking on fashion. I always describe her as 'imaginative with her own taste'.

- Emilia Wickstead

I would've loved to dress Diana Vreeland. I just loved her work as a creative woman and as a business woman - unpredictable, exciting, fun, and very, very clever.

- Emilia Wickstead

I'd like to think we can make a nice, glowing change to British dressing.

- Emilia Wickstead

It is important that every bride feels comfortable in her chosen dress, and fabric choice has a big part to play in this.

- Emilia Wickstead

I don't come from family money, and neither does my husband.

- Emilia Wickstead

I am a little obsessed with stripes.

- Emilia Wickstead

There's a great niche in the market for what I do, which is effortless style.

- Emilia Wickstead

I attended speech and drama classes with a nun to help me gain confidence in speaking without my face turning red each time.

- Emilia Wickstead

I'm always doing everything backwards.

- Emilia Wickstead

I love the idea of a dress or a coatdress rather than a suit with a jacket.

- Emilia Wickstead

There is nothing more beautiful than personality wrinkles.

- Emilia Wickstead

New Zealand is such a down-to-earth place.

- Emilia Wickstead

I love wearing interesting shoes that work well with my outfit.

- Emilia Wickstead

I feel like British designers are having a real moment; there's a lot of freedom to be different, and I think that that's what so unique. There's no expectation of what you're going to see at London Fashion Week, and I think that's why you get such a mixed bag of sweets.

- Emilia Wickstead

It's quite funny. I grew up with my mother: as a designer, she was always working, and I actually used to say to her, 'Whatever you do, never leave me your business.'

- Emilia Wickstead

We do have a lot of personal relationships with people who will come to our store or showroom.

- Emilia Wickstead

The first wedding dress I ever made was for myself. It was at a time when I had my business up and running, but it was still very early days, and I thought, 'This is my moment to do whatever I like.'

- Emilia Wickstead

I love everything I design.

- Emilia Wickstead