Fashion Interview - Pallas Couture

Marcia Ball sat down with Pallas Couture’s creative director Rebecca Williams to learn more about this global bridal empire which calls Subiaco home.

Shape shifters

Founded by renowned Australian fashion buyer Joy Morris, Pallas Couture brought high fashion and couture bridal to the streets of Perth in 2001. Offering a cohesive balance between classical couture, impeccable tailoring and modern sophistication, Pallas is a master in the art of couture showcasing intricate gowns that are sculpted perfectly to fit the silhouette.

I ask creative director Rebecca Williams what makes Pallas Couture so special. MB: What does your role as creative director entail day-to-day? RW: It’s pretty busy! I have appointments throughout the day - working with brides and private clients on looks for their wedding or red carpet events. I have meetings with our Perth production team, manage our international team in New York City and the upcoming international trunk shows. I also oversee the creative decisions at a high-level within the company. This includes social media, products and creative strategies. I work very closely with our founder and design director Joy Morris. She is based in Sydney now so we spend a lot of time on FaceTime. MB: You launched the brand internationally and were based between Sydney, London and New York before the pandemic. Tell me about this experience and what was involved in taking the brand global? RW: We started travelling to New York, meeting with prospective buyers and press. The feedback was incredible, positioning Pallas’ craftsmanship and designs among the best on a global stage. As Pallas’ method is one that is unwavering, with the custom process so intricate and specific, we realised that we needed to maintain the quality control from design to creation, to the day it is received by the bride. That’s why we chose, despite constant requests from boutiques across the world, not to wholesale to other

retailers. Instead I launched our own dedicated trunk shows in New York in 2015, followed by London in 2016. These trunk shows are incredibly successful and allow us to work closely with the brides throughout the creation process. MB: The Pallas Couture HQ is based in Subiaco - what do you like most about working in Subi? RW: Subiaco has been a great move for us. We needed more space. Our new studio is light, bright and all open plan. We love it. It has this gorgeous warehouse feel and is convenient for the brides. It’s the head office of production worldwide. It’s also amazing that visitors to Pallas can see our team of couturiers in action. It’s magical watching them work. MB: How can a bride commission a Pallas Couture gown? What’s involved in the process of selecting a gown for your wedding day? RW: Pallas Couture is by appointment only. We do not have wedding gowns in the Perth studio all year round so it is crucial for the brides to book an appointment in advance. I work very closely with a bride to achieve a balance between what she has dreamed of for her special day and what will make her look stunning and be memorable at the same time. The process takes about 12 months for a custom gown and in this time, the team and I work with the bride every step of the way- it’s a very personal experience, it’s really special. MB: Do you have any tips for brides when choosing their gown and planning their wedding day look? RW: Be open to design choices and really think about what you want to wear on your special day. Mistakes happen when a bride chooses a style that does not suit her shape, following trends instead. The choice of colour of the dress is also very important. MB: What is in the future for Pallas Couture? What are you looking forward to that’s coming up? RW: We have a brand new couture collection launching at the end of the month and our first London trunk show in two years is taking place in October. Pallas Couture, by appointment only, 177 Hay Street, 08 6380 2277. Visit pallascouture.com

METICULOUS APPROACH The highly skilled seamstresses spend hundreds of hours on each and every Pallas Couture wedding dress. Opposite, creative director Rebecca Williams.