The man who knows “Never open a bridal shop without consulting an expert!” That’s the top tip from Dubliner Billy Fitzsimons - and after more than 40 years in the trade, he should know! Jill Eckersley went to meet the man President, David Lesser. A man of imports from the Far East which were great foresight, his USP was to create selling at much lower prices than a system where his retailers could the Irish versions. The Germans and buy dresses, and if they didn’t sell, Scandinavians were leading us in they could return then – in re-saleable rainwear too, so I felt it was time to condition, of course – for a full refund. move on. I had youth on my side and I “David Lesser’s company was the spotted a niche in bridal. best manufacturer at the time, and “At the time there were only two I believe more manufacturers of wedding Bridal may look glamorous companies should apply the same gowns in Ireland, and sometimes it is, but it principles. He and very few shook up the bridal shops. I is a business, too. It’s not a business and left met someone working in hobby, and there are many his customers knowing that if a childrenswear factors to consider dress they bought who specialised turned out to be a in bridesmaids mistake, they wouldn’t have to live with and flower-girls’ dresses. “That illy Fitzsimons, he of the it forever! David was a major influence company, Special Day, today supplies wild ties and constant on the bridal trade worldwide.” laughter, has been an agent both Irish and international markets with bridal and bridesmaids’ gowns, and representative for countless brands, from the US-based and First Communion dresses. People The times they are changing Naturally Billy has seen a lot of were overjoyed to be able to buy Irish Forever Yours and Allure Bridal to changes in the bridal industry over the products! Catherine Parry – and is currently years he has worked in it. “I became agent for the company, agent for Demetrios and their five “The bridalwear market is and we found that the fabrics they distinctive brands, as well as Tania diminishing now,” he says, “and the Olsen and MonReal. So how did it all had been using to make communion women coming into shops to choose start, and what changes has he seen dresses could be adapted to make their wedding gowns are changing, bridal wear. in our industry over the years he has too. Thirty or 40 years ago, we would “Over the years, I have worked for worked in bridal? some wonderful companies and great be seeing younger girls – say, in their “Back in 1979, I was working in early 20s. Now, the brides-to-be we designers and learned so much from fashionwear, specialising in coats both. I became agent for Forever Yours, see are between 27 and 35, and have and suits,” he says. “At that time one or maybe two children already. and learned a lot from the company’s the market was saturated with
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