Lela Rose, the iconic fashion designer, is a name to be reckoned with when it comes to glamour, style, and grace. All of her women’s collections are to-die-for, but this season’s Bridal Collection Fall 2014 really embodies elegance, drama and beauty. We just had to know more about the collection and how this fashion designer does, what she does, so beautifully….

SADE AWE: How did you get started in bridal fashion?

LELA ROSE: The clothes I design are meant to go someplace; whether a luncheon, charity event, or entertaining at home. I began designing bridal gowns as a wedding is the ultimate event.

SADE AWE: Tell us about Lela Rose, the fashion house?

LELA ROSE: We are a small business that loves to dress women for every occasion. We design many of our own materials, prints, and embroideries and love to use beautiful, saturated colors. The designs are feminine, beautiful and make the wearer feel confident that they look great. I have always loved the dress for its versatility and ease- with one zip- you always look put together.

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

LELA ROSE: I am very much the customer for the collection. I love to wear color (I never wear black). I love to mix textures and prints and have fun with what I am wearing.

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

LELA ROSE: I made my dress for my high school prom (along with help from my mother). Hopefully all of the pictures are lost (thank goodness there was no digital back then!).

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

LELA ROSE: For the wedding collection, my goal is to design ethereal, light, beautiful gowns that have a sense of history and nostalgia with the hand embroidered detail. I like to blend some structure (so you feel secure in your dress) with an airiness that makes you look like you are floating down the aisle rather than dragging your dress.

SADE AWE: From where do you draw your inspiration and your ideas about fashion? {What inspires you? And does that change?}

LELA ROSE: I have lived in NYC for quite some time now and am still constantly inspired by it. I bike everywhere that I go and find that I am always finding new streets, shops, and seeing interesting people and things. I love to travel as well and find different foods, cultures, and architecture very inspiring.

SADE AWE: How do you define glamour, luxury and elegance?

LELA ROSE: Confidence and always being nice…that is true elegance and glamour!

SADE AWE: What won’t you travel without?

LELA ROSE: A well vetted list of great restaurants to try.

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

LELA ROSE: My mother has been a true example of style, elegance, glamour, and one of the most amazing people I know.

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

LELA ROSE: I wore our watercolor floral metallic organza dress that has a full skirt. My husband and I bike where we go for dinner and I love to wear a dress that I can move in. I also love the romantic feel of wearing a glamorous dress while on a bike.

SADE AWE: What is your necessary extravagance or guilty pleasure?

LELA ROSE: Casa Dragones Tequila

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

LELA ROSE: Matte lisse, fil coupe. Brocade. Metallic organzas, double faced wools…I could go on and on.

SADE AWE: What is your all time favorite romantic movie?

LELA ROSE: Breakfast at Tiffany’s

SADE AWE: 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?

LELA ROSE: I bike through the green market on my way to work. It is such an inspiring way to start the day and a perfect way to get delicious foods for dinner.

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

LELA ROSE: I love a ranch lifestyle as much as I like a city lifestyle.

SADE AWE: What’s next for Lela Rose?

LELA ROSE: I am working on a partnership with the St. Regis Bahia Resort in Puerto Rico to design custom wedding gowns for brides that choose to get married at this gorgeous destination. Brides can work directly with my design team to create their dream gown. We don’t typically work directly with brides so I am excited to be a part of process so directly.

SADE AWE: Sounds fantastic! What a clever idea… thank you so much for sharing your world with us!