Ines Di Santo is a name to be reckoned with when it comes to bridal gowns with glamour, style, and elegance. Her new Spring/Summer Collection for 2014 is a study in feminine beauty and sophistication. Below, Ines shares with us not only her inspiration for the new collection, but also how she began designing for brides and what keeps her inspired to create these luscious gowns!

{THE BRIDAL CIRCLE}: How did you get started in bridal fashion?

{INES DI SANTO}:  I knew from a very young age that I was obsessed with deigning gowns. I made my first dress when I was 8 and after that moment I had all my friends asking me for dresses. I knew that this is what I wanted to do but I started with evening and then totally immersed myself in bridal. It was the right time in the bridal industry when bridal fashion took a real turn and I was there at the right moment.

TBC: Tell us about Ines Di Santo, the fashion house?

TBC: How would you define your personal style, and does it play a part in your designs?

Classic, elegant and coquette but I can be relaxed at times and very tailored on other days depending on my mood.

TBC: What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?

I made my friend her SWEET FIFTEEN gown in my early teens. It was very rewarding for me to make a garment and make someone feel great in it.

TBC: What was the inspiration behind your 2013-2014 collection?

As dreamlike as the Impressionism movement by which it was inspired, the collection was designed to have the captivating quality of feeling vintage and modern at once. One Impressionist’s work, in particular – Camille Pissarro’s Avenue de l’Opera (1898) – was the principal piece that set the creative tone, capturing a sunshine covered morning in Paris.

Each gown was named after a region of France, the birthplace of the Impressionism movement.  Like the paintings of Monet, Renoir and Degas, characterized by the artists’ visible brushstrokes, my hand is visible in each of my designs, through signature elements like mermaid silhouettes and elegant embellishment.  A soft muted palette of cameo pink, antique ivory and champagne serve as the canvas for exquisite detailing, from Swarovski crystal embroidery to glitter tulle that appears to delicately frost the gown.

Texture is at  play throughout the collection.  While the Impressionists created this by building upon brushstrokes, here, fabrics create texture via braided bodices and luxurious laces. Alluring illusion backs have a sophisticated sexiness, while a translucent gown is delightfully daring. Layers of handkerchief hems create an imprecise look that is undone in the most whimsical way.

TBC: From where do you draw your inspiration and your ideas about fashion? What inspires you? And does that change?

I draw inspiration from people, travelling, architecture, fabrics and art.

TBC: How do you define glamour, luxury and elegance?

They are defined by what makes you FEEL them. For me fashion gives me a feeling of glamour, luxury and elegance that is unmatched by any other item. To me a couture gown can give you that feeling and ooze our of you when you feel glamorous and luxurious and elegant in a high fashion garment that does all the right things for your figure.

TBC: What won’t you travel without?

My sketch pad and my pencil. They go wherever I go.

TBC: Looking back through your life, whom have you looked to as style mentors and design? Influencers?

CHRISTIAN DIOR & VALENTINO!

TBC: We’d love to know what you wore for your most recent romantic evening out?

A black beaded Chantilly lace mermaid gown with high collar and sleeves.

TBC: What is your necessary extravagance or guilty pleasure?

Shoes. I am obsessed with shoes.

TBC: What are some of your favorite fabrics to work with?

I love Fine French laces, silk organza, taffeta and silk Gazar.

TBC: What is your all time favorite romantic movie?

GONE WITH THE WIND

TBC: Knowing how busy you are, can you share with us how you start and end each day? And how do you maintain your creative energy?

I work 6 days a week from 9am-7pm and I am always in the design room. My daughter is very much a part of the collection and we work together to create themes and design the collection. We have  a great team that helps brings this all together.

TBC: What “must-have, can’t live without” product is an absolute must for you?

ESPRESSO!!!

TBC: What is one little known fact about you that would surprise us?

I LOVE DRIVING FAST CARS!

TBC: What’s next for Ines Di Santo?

My evening collection is coming up next, stay tuned!

TBC:  Thank you so much Ines for the wonderful interview! What a STUNNING collection!