10 Questions with Designer Debra Moreland
Designer Debra Moreland of Paris by Debra Moreland
1) Did you make any changes with your business this past year?
Yes, a few of us worked from home, we also held virtual appointments and offered a discount because of the money we saved not traveling and renting a showroom.
2) What are brides looking for today for veils for the upcoming wedding season?
Longer and more embellished!
3) What should a bride think about when choosing a veil for her dress/gown or outfit?
A bride should always consider the lines of her gown and the impact of the veil on the type of venue she will be in. Outside weddings should be longer veils that can catch the breeze for dramatic shots and be long enough to be swept up over an arm should the wind not be in a favorable direction! Short veils are impossible to control in wind! I am not a big fan of cutting across the gown and compartmentalizing it, I love for a veil to compliment the shape of the gown and not add embellishment that confuses the ornamentation on the gown. My favorite is an architectural gown that has plenty of room to allow the wearer’s personality to shine through with accessories.
I am also enamored with the blusher, it makes for very good theater for the wedding, usually not a dry eye when the bride is covered with a sheer layer of tulle, very romantic!
4) And what are the trends for headpieces and jewelry?
The trends for headpieces are bold! I have been selling quite a few large tiaras! People are sick of staying home and are ready to have fun with their friends and family! The same for jewelry, belts have been slowing down for the past couple of years and that has made room for beautiful statement necklaces, bracelets and earrings to elevate the bride.
5) How important is an heirloom piece for today’s brides?
Our mission statement has always been to “mark life’s great occasions”. Marking this very memorable point in time has never been more important!
6) Any new techniques or looks you have been working on in the atelier?
Absolutely, I have for the past year been designing and producing veils that are embellished with hand painted vintage tattoos. We have a full length vintage tattoo color veil and two tattoo veils that are bluish black.
I have always found it a challenge to style the bride that has body art that can make her separate from her gown. These veils were very well received at both virtual markets we have hosted!
7) Do hair styles drive the headpiece or the headpiece drive the hair style?
Popular hair styles always drive the ornaments that are chosen. Often, in a trunk show, I can influence a brides hair style, but in general most brides are very well informed and do multiple trials with their hairdresser. I like for them to show me a photo of the hairstyle and I then suggest specific pieces that will work.
8) What are your top favorite costume design collaborations for film and/or TV?
We finished the TV show Reign a couple of years ago. It was quite a wonderful experience working with the costume designer. I was able to watch the show and create hairpieces based on the characters’ personalities. Luckily there were a few “meanies” on the show that allowed me to create a few pointy and antler-like crowns. They also had four weddings during the run of the show. The Canadian based show garnered several awards during its run including “best costumes”! We have also done two other shows with the same costumer, “Nashville” and “Heart of Dixie”. We look forward to more work in TV and film!
9) Do you collaborate with bridal designers as well?
In the past 30 years, I have designed for many of the industries gown designers. Vera Wang, Romona Keveza, Lazaro, Peter Langner, Anne Barge, Carolina Herrera, Badgley Mischka, Birnbaum and Bullock, Claire Pettibone and Amy Michelson to name a few.
10) What are some top questions you ask the brides before she is accessorized?
How soon is your wedding? Who is the designer of your gown? Do you know how you will wear your hair? Do you have any existing accessories? What kind of venue will you be married in? Do you have an idea already of what you are looking for?
