Vendor Voices: Q&A with Trish Peng

I had the absolute pleasure of doing a little Q&A with Trish Peng, the incredibly talented designer behind the Trish Peng bridal label. Trish has been making waves in the bridal industry for the past decade, and her stunning gowns are coveted by brides all over the world. I was so excited to ask her about her creative process, learn about her journey, and, of course, get some insider scoop on the latest wedding dress trends!

Tell us how your brand was born.

Since the age of 7, I have known that I wanted to become a fashion designer. I taught myself how to sew at a young age and aspired to have my own namesake brand one day. I eventually pursued my dream and graduated from fashion school; the rest is history.

Have you always known you wanted to design wedding dresses?

I discovered early on in my career that my passion lies in designing bespoke gowns, but evening wear was actually where it all started for me. When I graduated, I began designing one-off and custom evening gowns. I absolutely loved working closely with each client to design something that truly complements them. From there, a few clients asked me to design their wedding dresses, which is what led me to discover my calling in bridal.

What has been your most significant accomplishment/ success? (excluding your ten-year anniversary)

Another significant milestone for me is seeing the expansion of the Trish Peng brand. We are now stocked in over 40 bridal boutiques worldwide, with stockists in prominent locations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Dubai. It’s such a surreal and rewarding feeling knowing that brides all over the world are choosing to wear Trish Peng for their special day.

Who are some female entrepreneurs that inspire you and why?

I have always been inspired by Trelise Cooper; I actually had the pleasure of working for her for five years. I’m not only in awe of the incredible business she has created but also absolutely admire her humanitarian efforts.

Please walk us through your design process, from inspiration strike to completed product.

The design process starts by curating inspiration, which comes from a variety of sources, including whispers from brides as well as runway trends beyond bridal. From there, sketches and design concepts come to life. We then layer and course fabrics for each design so we can finally start the production phase, which involves a series of fittings to achieve the desired look and fit.

How have your designs evolved over the past decade, and to what extent do you allow your style to change to set trends?

Over my ten years in business, I’ve prioritised maintaining the integrity of my designs and staying true to my style and brand aesthetic. We have evolved over the years with new techniques, however, elements like our signature 3D florals have remained consistent. By balancing innovation with authenticity, my designs continue to inspire and resonate with modern brides.

What new or emerging wedding dress trends can we get excited about?

We are definitely seeing the return of the Basque waist. However, it’s so interesting to see how it has evolved into a soft and modern centre dip, which still allows a gown to have a soft and dreamy feel to it. We can also see more brides branch away from the traditional, modern, minimalist aesthetic and opt for more detailed dresses.

What is one piece of advice you can give to brides just starting their wedding plans?

My advice to brides just starting their wedding plans is to not lose sight of what the day is all about and to enjoy the planning process. When it comes to finding your dream dress, I would recommend starting the process early due to the considerable lead time for most wedding dresses. I would also say to keep an open mind when trying dresses on but ultimately remain true to your personal style.

Your wedding was absolutely breathtaking! What inspired the design of your dress(es), and what was your favourite part of the process?

Aw, thank you! I have had the pleasure of designing for numerous brides, so when it came to my own wedding dress, I had so many ideas swirling in my mind. I opted to create four distinct dresses to capture each unique concept. Inspiration for my wedding looks came from the venue’s ambience as well as my personal style and what I had always envisioned. I ensured my signature 3D flowers were a standout and were the highlight of my ceremony dress. My favourite part of the process was definitely working closely with my team to see the concepts come to life.

Photos provided by Trish Peng

@trishpeng