IN HER ELEMENT: Clare Schreenan. PHOTO: KATE HEALY.
For someone who is in the process of making 70 dresses, Clare Schreenan is incredibly relaxed among the rolls of fabric, clippings of inspiration and racks of dresses in her Sebastopol studio.
The former Loreto College student knew she wanted to be a fashion designer since she was 14 years old. After studying at the Melbourne College of Textiles, Clare landed herself a job at a Sydney design house, which regularly flew her around the world to scout design trends.
Now as the owner/designer of Clasch Design, Clare keeps Ballarat’s women looking elegant, timeless and unique.
What are your tips for brides when shopping for their wedding dress?
Trying on some different styles is a good way to start. Begin with shapes that you might have worn before and felt good in. Then think about the areas of your figure that you want to enhance and colours that will suit your skin tone.
What are the latest trends in wedding and debutante dresses?
This year, the fairytale princess skirt is very in, teamed with a simple strapless bodice or corset and the mermaid style dress is still popular. Lace gowns are also a big trend and French chantilly lace is always a popular choice for its timeless quality.
What colours can we expect to see in fashion this spring?
This season, pastel colours and brights are on trend for fashion in general, but for bridal, the vintage colours are still very popular.
What advice do you have for choosing bridesmaid dresses?
Choose colours that work with the wedding gown and the theme of the wedding. If your girls are very different in size, don’t be afraid to go for different styles – just be sure to tie the styles together with a similar detail.
How can we best look after our special occasion dresses?
Find somewhere safe to hang them out of the garment bag. There’s nothing worse than scrunching a two-metre long train into a bag. And the less you press and handle your dresses, the better.