Tell us the company’s history, how you started and how the brand has developed.

Anne Barge was established in 1999. I began working at the company back in 2002 in an entry-level position. Over the course of the first ten years, I gained valuable experience working in various departments and the privilege of learning from Anne Barge, who served as a fabulous mentor. 

In 2014, my husband, Steven and I, purchased Anne Barge, taking on the responsibility of carrying on Anne Barge’s legacy, as the new Owner and Creative Director. Since then, Anne Barge has evolved and expanded, venturing in new areas of bridal and eveningwear. Two significant additions to the brand’s offerings are the Black Label and Little White Dress Collections. The Black Label Collection consists of eveningwear gowns, meticulously designed with the brand’s signature attention to detail, fabric and fit. While Little White Dress makes the bride’s wardrobe compete with pieces for pre- and post-wedding events such as engagement parties, wedding showers, bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners and more.

What sets your bridal designs apart from others in the industry?

The Anne Barge philosophy, “Good design is timeless”, defines our brands aesthetic and style. While the philosophy is simple, it embodies why the Anne Barge brand is at the forefront of the luxury bridal market. We strive to remain devoted to our brand values with every collection we design, crafting our gowns with the finest fabrics, embellishments and embroidery sourced throughout the world. Inspired by vintage couture, we stray from the typical bridal brand, as our gowns embody classic and contemporary visions. The Anne Barge brand is not afraid to defy the norm as our gowns tend to include unexpected one-of-a-kind details.

Can you tell us three interesting facts about the brand?

Fact 1: Anne Barge offers a diverse range of collections, each catering to different preferences and styles. As mentioned before, there is Black Label and Little White Dress Collection, as well as, Curve Couture offering more sizes, specifications, and possibilities. Blue Willow Bride embodies the couture aesthetic and the same attention to detail as the Anne Barge collection at a moderate price point. Blossoms offers complementary looks of our best-selling wedding gowns in miniature form. 

Fact 2: Anne Barge combines luxury couture with inclusive wearability. It is a brand that presents brides and their guests with a personalized experience ensuring they will feel both elegant and comfortable on their special day. 

Fact 3: The brand established a domestic factory for hands-on oversight. This allows us to maintain strict quality control and ensure that each gown meets its highest standards. Additionally, there is a new local expert staff that contributes to Anne Barge’s commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail.

What inspired your latest collection, and how do you stay current with bridal fashion trends?

While designing our latest collection, we reflected on the beautiful history and aesthetic of the Anne Barge brand. I wanted this collection to celebrate the past 24 years of Anne Barge, while also incorporating a modern yet feminine twist to the gowns. Additionally, we honoured our brand’s hometown by photographing the collection at the Swan House, one of Atlanta’s greatest historic landmarks.

I love to embrace the ever-changing bridal trends, while also remaining true to the Anne Barge aesthetic and my personal touch. Brides today are confident in their personal style and are willing to take more risks that they have in the past. Our Anne Barge collections have grown to include variations of colours, styles, and accessories to reflect the interests of our brides and our brand.

Describe your latest collection in three words.

Modern, feminine, and timeless.

Is there a single piece which embodies the vision of the whole collection?

It is hard to single out a specific piece that embodies the vision of the entire Spring and Summer 2024 Collection. As the collection was a tribute to the vast history of Anne Barge, the gowns were inspired from the timeless Anne Barge aesthetic, while also taking into consideration the strong vision and creativity brides want to express today. Together, we incorporated unique details and touches of colour throughout the collection. 

A specific gown that comes to mind from our most recent collection is the Inman gown. Inman, is a stunning lavender gown, with a “corset bodice adorned with micro-pleated tulle overlay, punctuated by gathered tiers of tulle and silk organza flowing into a dramatic train in the back”.

Why is Bridal Week so important to you?

Bridal Week holds immense importance to me and the entire Anne Barge team due to the valuable opportunity it provides on multiple fronts. Firstly, it serves as a platform for us to connect with retailers from both domestic and international markets. Allowing us to establish strong partnerships, expand our distribution channels, and reach a wider audience of brides globally. Secondly, Bridal Week offers a unique chance to engage directly with potential brides. This personal moment gives us a better understanding of their preferences, needs, and desires. Additionally, throughout the week we encounter local and international press. The exposure allows us to showcase our latest collection’s inspiration to many industry professionals gauging the public’s enthusiastic response. 

Overall, it’s a week that fuels my dedication and passion to crafting special wedding designs and ensuring we continue to get inspired from the surrounding talent.

What does the future hold for you? Do you have any exciting upcoming plans you can share with us?

The future for Anne Barge holds exciting plans and continued growth. One of our primary focuses is to keep strengthening our presence in the domestic market. In addition, to our efforts in the US, we are enthusiastic to carry on exploring foreign markets, such as Canada, the UK, various parts of Asia, and Barcelona to share our timeless designs to a broader audience. 

Additionally, we remain committed to creating captivating designs for the various collections offered at Anne Barge; Black Label Collection, Blue Willow Bride, Curve Couture, Little White Dress, and Blossoms.

Lastly, we are determined to keep up the success of Anne Barge New York, recently celebrating our One Year Anniversary. This milestone reflects how our dedication to craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless elegance remains at the core of everything done at Anne Barge.

FIND ANNE BARGE IN THE REGENCY ROOM, MAJESTIC HOTEL AT BRIDAL WEEK HARROGATE.

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