10 Questions with Michelle Roth

What is the bridal design heritage of your family?

My family has had a long and significant career in bridal fashion, spanning three generations and three continents. I grew up in my parents bridal business in Australia and was fed a steady diet of lessons and wisdom from my grandmother‘s millinery store in Europe. My grandmother’s and parent’s concept of fashion design was holistic, in that it encompassed not just the garment but values, and how you behave towards others. For my family this has always been with respect and kindness and  as a result,this plays significantly into my design process. I feel so grateful that I received the fashion education that I did, not only did I learn how to choose fabrics and structure a dress, but I learned about the meaning behind the dress, and I believe this was the greatest gift my family design heritage gave me.

What is your design mission?

My design message is also my mission which stands on six pillars. They are the core and guiding light of my brand: Heritage, Integrity, Simplicity, Harmony, Excellence and Inclusivity. Every element has to be present in my dresses. I want every bride to step into their power, recognize it and relish it, fueled by how the dress makes them feel.

What does the bride want these days?

Brides want to be heard. They want to find a wedding dress that is a true reflection of everything they have lived and experienced. The dress is their personal statement. The bridal fashion industry is often guilty of adopting a ‘Cinderella syndrome’ towards brides where everything tried on looks ‘beautiful’ and ‘gorgeous‘ and brides are treated in a homogenous way. Meeting my brides at trunk shows and throughout the year, I listen very carefully. I have always had real conversations with my brides where truthfulness reigns and their uniqueness is honored.

Do you do custom gowns, where are the dresses available?

All my dresses can be customized. We champion opening cup sizes as required, from C to DDD, adjusting neckline shapes, lowering and raising necklines, hem and trains. It’s all part of the Michelle Roth experience. My brand is exclusive to Kleinfeld in Manhattan.

Tell us about the new headpiece collaboration?

This was a very exciting collaboration with fellow Australian, Simon Rigg who is an exceptionally talented sculptor both here in New York and Australia, to create one of kind pieces called Headpieces of Art.

What inspired the collaboration?

Simon and I were fascinated by the use of porcelain which begins as a soft, malleable substance and transforms into a solid material to create pieces that look so light and airy. The creativity for these pieces takes much trial and error to achieve the desired product. I liken this to the way we are all enriched by our life experiences which are not always a smooth path.

How does the artist like working on these pieces compared to his art work?

Simon found this project quite the challenge. His main creative output is sculpture- some even to very large outdoor installations. The complexity and delicacy of these pieces made him rethink the design and construction process.

What are the prices points of the head pieces or art to wear?

The price points are $600- $2500

Any new projects in the future?

I am beyond thrilled to be launching my 2020 Spring collection at Kleinfeld for the December trunk shows. It is without doubt the biggest and most beautiful bridal collection I have designed in years and I cannot wait to see what the brides think of the new dresses.  The new collection will include my classic signature Michelle Roth design style for brides seeking a beautiful and elegant dress. However, in addition to my signature collection I will also be launching a brand new line called Michelle Roth True for brides who want a sexier silhouette and a less traditional approach. I feel that as a designer I am coming into the greatest design period of my career and cannot wait for the new decade to begin!

How do you come up with new ideas for the collection?

Imagine a carousel, twirling with color,light and images whether from sculpture,music or moments captured.Then add another layer where I am constantly invigorated by the fabrics I source or those that are made specifically for my collection. This is the best way to describe how my ideas and imagination converge. I draw from this library of images when I meet my brides. They energize these sources and I am free to explore and create dresses around their feelings,all the stories they tell me and my vision for each bride to walk down the aisle as her powerful self.