In Conversation With

A TRUE DESIGN FORCE Here’s a woman who understands what brides want... and delivers it

IN CONVERSATION WITH ELBETH GILLIS

She’s a hot name in her home country, South Africa, and an internationally-recognised design force that sets her own boundaries. We got talking...

WT First thing you designed – how old were you and

what was it ?

EG I was probably about five or six – I started sewing early. It would have been a dress for one of my dolls.

WT Did you always want to be in fashion – when did

bridal happen into your life?

EG After I completed my degree in fashion design at Cape Town University of Technology, I worked as a childrenswear designer for a big factory supplying the retailers. During that time I realised that I loved bridal and the more bespoke part of the fashion world. I launched my bridal business is 1997. WT Do you come from a design-driven or artistic family

background?

EG Yes, everyone in my family is creative and loves crafting and creating just about anything. My mother and aunts are all wonderful seamstresses and I learned a lot from them as a child.

WT How many collections do you produce a year? EG It depends, but usually two or three.

WT Which countries do you sell in? And what are the

most popular sizes?

EG For sample gowns usually a UK 12, for the Curve Collection a UK 22. Brides are all sizes, but around a 10 to 14 in most cases.

WT Where do you source your fabrics? EG We really source from all over – India, Taiwan, China, the UK, Spain and France.

WT What silhouettes are your favourites generally,

and your choice for the 2023 season?

EG I love clean, structural gowns, but lace is also a favourite. My choice would be a simple but dramatic ballgown.

WT How many pieces do you have in each collection,

and are they all new or do you keep best sellers going

EG Each collection has at least eight new gowns, and yes, we do keep best-sellers.

WT Tell us about your latest collection and its special

style features and embellishments.

EG Our latest collection is called Botanical and is inspired by my love of gardening and all things floral. There are some beautiful 3-D floral and leaf embellishments. Shimmering beadwork is also a big part of the Botanical personality.

WT Which are the best markets for you? EG The UK and South Africa. WT Do you grant your retailers exclusivity, do you

stipulate minimum orders?

EG Yes, we do grant exclusivity and require a minimum of six dresses, but it can be over all our collections.

WT What is the RRP in the UK? EG From £1,400 to £4,000.

WT How do you promote your label to the trade, and

also to consumers?

EG We participate in shows, send newsletters and focus heavily on social media for consumers.

WT Which trade events will you be showing at in 2023? EG European Bridal Week in Essen or possibly Barcelona or One Fine Day New York.

WT Who would be your dream to dress of past or

present personalites?

EG Grace Kelly.

Elbeth Gillis

T: +27 21 423 2220 E: info@elbethgillis.com

www.elbethgillis.com