Discover the stunning collection of hand-picked bridal headpieces in Geelong, to match your wedding gown for that special day. We sit down with Pearls & Roses owner Karen Bourdanis, who shares the latest hairpiece trends, favourited items and more.
Karen, paint us a picture of your quintessential customer. What are their wishes, desires and worries as soon-to-be brides?
“I’d say that most brides coming to see me are anxious to find the right dress that they feel beautiful in. They want it to meet the style brief they are trying to achieve and often they are very nervous to try on for the first time. That’s where I come in to make them feel comfortable, providing them with a fantastic fitting room experience. I don’t judge or pigeonhole clients based on their body type, or the parts of their body that they’re not comfortable with. My role is to give them a hand to show them how beautiful and special they can feel in the right materials, laces and the right cut. I focus on each client’s beautiful features and guide them in the right direction. I encourage them not to follow what their girlfriends have done at their weddings or focus too much on following what’s in fashion, as what fits for one woman might not fit for the next. Another big concern for brides-to-be is the budget. Here, I work with them to show them garments that they can afford but still fit their dream. Having worked for 30 years with women and their insecurities, I am confident that I can make any women feel special and get that magic look in her eyes”.
Talk us through Pearls & Roses’ current catalogue of bridal headpiece accessories. Which one is your current favourite? and which item do you think deserves more attention?
“I love seeing women’s hair utilised and worked with as an art form to make the woman look beautiful. Personally, I’m not a fan of a super tight bun, a woman looks best showing her hair. I love the half up half down look or something that shows off the shoulders and back. Usually, we work with the dress to best accessorise the hair look. My current favourite piece is the hair vine. It’s versatile and gorgeous, the hair vine can be carefully entwined into a wavy hair-do at the back, worn at the front, or even styled in-to a bun. I am really drawn to the rustic rose gold hairpiece at the moment. For a structured hair-do, I like a side comb and we also have beautiful crowns that can be used in a bohemian way. I believe the floral crown hairpieces deserve more attention. Again, they can be styled in many ways and come in a few different shades”.
Bridal headpieces have continuously been a must-have for brides. What are some of your favourite materials and embellishments to pair with ready-to-wear and custom gowns? Are veils still popular?
“Yes, veils are very much still popular, predominantly the long cathedral veil. Typically, a faceless piece, this style allows us to be more creative and embellish the edges. We work with the traditional sparkle, lace, and even have a fully pearl-embellished veil. For headpieces, I love intricate floral work, pearls, and anything old and vintage. For the most part, we have said goodbye to fabric flowers and now focus more on Australian handmade pieces. Here at Pearls & Roses, we offer a Bridal Accessory Styling appointment where brides receive a one-on-one session to be taken through our collection of veils, earrings, headpieces and more. These can be booked through our website and are a special, valuable experience for brides”.
