Wedding Dress in Copenhagen: Interview with Bridal Designer Sheryl Yip Atelier
Feeling a bit lost in the wedding dress shopping process? This interview with bridal designer Sheryl Yip might just hold the answers you've been searching for.
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Bridal Designer in Copenhagen: The Story Behind
I've always been curious about what goes on behind the scenes in bridal design. I’m a photographer at the end, not a wedding dress designer! Well, fate smiled upon me, and I crossed paths with Sheryl Yip, an incredible bridal designer right here in Copenhagen. We hit it off at a wedding photographer get-together, and next thing I knew, I was sipping tea in Sheryl's cozy atelier on Amager. She generously walked me through the entire process of creating those dreamy wedding dresses, from the first sketch to the final stitch.
Now, I can't wait to spill the beans in our interview and share the behind-the-scenes magic with all of you! Oh, and stick around till the end – I've got a little surprise waiting, a special promo code for Sheryl's fantastic services. Ready to dive into the world of beautiful dresses and Sheryl’s creations? Let's do this!
Sheryl’s Work Portrait - Photo by Dreamsonder
Getting to know Sheryl Yip Atelier
Sheryl, Tell Us a little bit more about you and your business
If you ask me in short, I am a wedding gown and fashion designer, and my business is about designing and handcrafting customised wedding dresses for individual brides.
But it means so dull, doesn't it? So here below is my story of how I become a bridal designer and why I started my business.
I am a wedding gown and fashion designer working in high-end fashion and bridal for 10+ years. Born and raised in Hong Kong, I have had a strong passion for fashion and design since I was young. I like designing my creations with my own hands. After graduating from fashion design, I furthered my study in Sweden (my first trip to Europe) and then London. I have been designing couture wedding gowns for individual brides since 2014 (and of course for my wedding in 2018). At that same time, I was also working full-time designing and managing production and sampling lines for different fashion labels in Hong Kong. Before moving to Copenhagen in 2019 to live with my husband who has been my university love (we have been together for 15 years now), I was the core designer for Catherine Deane, an international London bridal brand.
Launching my own fashion brand has always been my young age dream. After working years in the garment industry designing almost a thousand pieces of women’s fashion (top/coat/skirt etc.), I knew deep down in my heart that I was in love with timeless couture craftsmanship and wedding gown design. Fashion fades, style is eternal. I believe dressing yourself well-fitted to your personality and body shape is the strongest fashion statement. After settling in Denmark for a year, I founded Sheryl Yip Atelier in Copenhagen in 2020, focusing my vision on creating custom-made and unique modern bridal and fashion for different women.
Interior of Sheryl Yip Atelier, Photo by me, @ievaviphoto
What is the vision of Sheryl Yip Atelier?
I see customisation as one of the ways of self-expression. It empowers and highlights women’s femininity and confidence.
At SYA (Sheryl Yip Atelier), I strive to create new design solutions to inspire my brides (eg. Danes, expats living in Denmark, brides at my hometown ie, Hong Kong) to realise their dream wedding gowns in their customised design and cutting – best fitted physically, practically and sentimentally
My design is not only limited to wedding gown but also after-party dress, second outfit, mother-of-the-bride dress, maternity and boudoir robe … and more
I (Ieva) was warmly welcomed into Sheryl's atelier. She graciously walked me through the entire process of designing a dress, from start to finish. a glimpse of her wedding atelier in Copenhagen in a video below.
What is it like working with you? What is the process?
I define my bridal process as “5-Step Bridal Journey”, and enjoy having trustful and 2-way communication with my brides. Without sharing your own thoughts, it is hard for me as a designer to create a masterpiece for you. Likewise, I am responsible for giving you my best advice and recommendation on how to realise your dream gown in real life – based on your body shape and personality, fabric preferences and budget concerns.
Each bride will enjoy her unique bridal journey, and you will find more about "5-step Bridal Journey" here.
Real Brides from Sheryl Yip Atelier
Bridal Trends for 2024
For 2024 I can see a few emerging bridal trends such as:
Silhouette: Draped Sleek Style / External Corset Gown / Drop-Waist
Never Fade Sleeves Trend: Signature Gloves / Gathered Drop Sleeves/ Flowy Train Sleeves
Newness Entry: Bold Special Veil / Pin-Thin Straps
Neckline: Non-Sweetheart Necklines / Lace edge neckline in Chantilly Lace
Material: Sheer mix Solid
Alternative Brides: Sweet Mini for after-party dress + overskirt / Suit and Tailored Pants
(BUT BUT BUT!)
Any gown silhouette should fit your own body shape and match your personal style instead of simply following fashion trends. For example, for the 2024 drop-waist silhouette trend, I would mostly recommend those who have a relatively short torso to get a better visual proportion. It may not be a flattering style for a bride whose upper torso is long.
I don’t recommend the bride decide on her wedding gown only relying on seasonal trends. (You know me, right ? ) As I always ask them to foresee 10 or 20 years later, do you love yourself wearing this? A wedding dress is not fast-fashion, but timeless in terms of memory, photo or even a family thing to pass it to your next generation.
What’s the one piece of advice you have for brides when trying on gowns or looking at designs for the first time?
With my personal experience and clients’ feedback, my one piece of advice for brides in choosing her wedding gown is: “Try on different kinds of gown styles and fabrication. Be open-minded at the first one to three times of gown trial session”
Gown Style: A-line, Ball Gown, Mermaid, Sleek and Plain, with Sleeves etc.
Fabrication: Tulle, Organza, Satin, thicker solid fabric (Mikado), Glitter, different Laces etc.
If you are interested in knowing the reason behind this, don’t forget to check out my Instagram @sherylyipbridal for detailed explanations
Romantic A-line French Tulle gown with detachable sleeves, design by Sheryl Yip Atelier
Stylish Mikado ball gown with slit design, design by Sheryl Yip Atelier
Is there anything else you do apart from bridal dresses?
I am not limiting my creativity only to bridal (even though I love bridal and couture the most) Apart from working on bridesmaid/ mother-of-the-bride dresses that are related to bridal, I also work on maternity and boudoir robes, ready-to-wear like after-party dress, stage-pieces for singer and dresses for fashion editorial shoots.
I offer pattern-making or sampling for fashion start-ups as well. I love sharing my designer insights, and I was lucky enough to participate as a seminar speaker in a business event and as a fashion columnist in The Copenhagen Post.
Bespoke Wedding Dress by Sheryl Yip Atelier, Photo by Evia Zachariah
Wedding Dress Shopping FAQ
Sheryl was so kind to spill the beans on some common questions about wedding dress shopping. Even though my own wedding is still down the road a bit, I couldn't resist learning the answers. I'm sure these insights will give you that extra boost of confidence when you're gearing up for your own appointment.
1. What is the difference between BESPOKE and CUSTOM-MADE wedding gown service at your atelier?
Choosing BESPOKE gown package is worry-free for brides with every luxury and detail included, it is among the most popular service I offer for brides: customised and unique design to your wish, tailor-cutting to fit your body concern, design sketches and fabric options for your selection, 3-4 rounds of personal fittings including mock-up fitting, adjustment and alteration and more...
You can also choose the CUSTOM-MADE package, which is also famous among brides for its fast and precise delivery. It is suitable for a bride who craves for one certain gown style and looks for custom measurements. Unlike the bespoke package, the gown is made straight up to the final fitting session to boost up the delivery, where minor adjustments can be altered at the final stage.
To dive into my signature bespoke and custom-made services, more details can be found here.
2. When should a couple reach out to you to discuss their wedding gown? How about for rental?
To design a bespoke gown from scratch, it is about 6-9 months in process after the design is confirmed, so I recommend brides to book the initial bridal consultation with me about 9-12 months in advance of your wedding to discuss your design in depth.
For brides who look for custom-made, the attire can be made within 3-6 after the design is confirmed. I recommend brides to reach me out to discuss the wedding attire at least 4 months in advance of your wedding.
To look for custom-rental, meaning renting an existing gown from my design collection, I suggest brides book a gown trial session with me at least 1 month in advance. It ensures the gown availability during your rental period, and if you need any additional alteration service, we have time to make adjustments 😀
Behind-the-scene of designing and draping for a wedding gown, photo by @sherylyipbridal
3. What is mock-up fitting?
A mock-up dress (prototype in substituted fabric) is sampled based on your design and body measurements. A mock-up is fitted on the bride so that she can visualise the design on her body, and comment on the measurements, shape, dress length and volume etc. This fitting stage can ensure the dress design looks flattering on her. Any amendments will then be adjusted accordingly.
Alteration Service, designs by Sheryl Yip Atelier
4. Do you offer clothing altering services?
Of course a whole yes for bridal alteration:) I do have a lot of brides who ordered gowns somewhere else and would love me to take extra care of their dresses and perfect fitting. As a trained fashion designer and couturier, I worked all-rounded in the fitting and bridal gown making, so brides have confidence and high trust in my skills and experiences in handling their bridal fits as well as altering their favorite dresses.
Bridal alteration at my atelier is for the brides who crave for the best bridal look and high-quality work. Creativity is also necessary in bridal alteration. Some of my brides were looking for the bridal looks that their existing dress couldn’t offer – like they want extra warmth and cover on arm and shoulder, a new button and pearl details, an extra lace crafted on the veil to balance the look etc. So I will offer them different design solutions and new add-on items to complete their bridal look.
Small tip: Always remember and preserve a decent budget for bridal alteration if you decide to order a non-custom-made gown, it normally costs around 3,000-9,000 DKK depending on the scale of alteration tasks.
Booking a Wedding Designer in Copenhagen
How can future couples reach you out?
Brides or couples are welcome to DM me through Instagram (@sherylyipbridal) or email to enquire or book a bridal consultation at my atelier. Brides are also welcome to contact me through my website where they can input their bridal info. before we meet, eg: wedding date, preferred gown style etc.
After the personal meeting, we can chat via email, Instagram, Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger or SMS for any follow-up communications (Just see which way you feel like the best).
For Ieva’s Bride, good news to all of you!
You will receive a promo code from Ieva individually when you book a bridal appointment with me. This promo code will free you up for a bridal consultation and fitting session at Sheryl Yip Atelier (also suitable for rental and bridal alteration clients!)
*Valid in 2024 bridal booking
Contact Sheryl (Wedding Designer) ∙ Contact me (Wedding Photographer)
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