Just popping by briefly to offer three cheers for celebrated Scottish bridal designer and Love My Dress sponsor Joyce Young, who received an OBE Award from HRH Prince Charles in February this year.
'I was completely taken by surprise when I first opened my letter about the OBE over a year ago. I did not expect recognition, although it's fantastic to achieve. To be honest, I thought it was someone playing a joke!'
Joyce, who is best known for her beautiful wedding dresses, has also designed outfits for a number of celebrities, including Judy Murray {mother of Tennis pro Andy} and actress Sophie Kennedy Clarke who has appeared in films with Johnny Depp and Steve Coogan. Her dresses have also been worn by Michelle Obama and Hilary Clinton.
Joyce trained at Glasgow School of Art, graduating with a degree in interior design, embroidery and weaving. However, she was always destined to gravitate towards the fashion industry. At the age of six, she was already designing outfits for her dolls and, by her early teens, she was making her own dresses for parties.
Her first job was as a creative designer working for a company who manufactured for Marks & Spencer.
'I enjoyed it but felt creatively stifled. We were working for a high street store and limited by price and inexpensive fabrics. In 1976 I left to set up my own bridal business, Sequin, with another designer.'
After taking time out to raise her children, another stint at M&S and a foray into cruise clothing for the discerning traveller, Joyce returned to bridal.
'That's my handwriting – it's where I belong.'
Joyce describes her bridal designs as simple and elegant. Crafted from luxurious fabrics such as French lace and Chinese silk, she also produces many vintage inspired pieces.
Next month sees the opening of Joyce's new store in Hampstead which will accommodate her many London clients. As she celebrates two decades in business, this will certainly be an epic year for her. We hope you'll join Annabel and I in congratulating Joyce on her recent achievement!
Take a look in our archives for a bevy of beautiful real brides wearing Joyce Young designs. You can find more information at joyceyoungcollections.co.uk and keep up-to-date with all the latest news via Facebook and Twitter.
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Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
