With a degree in graphic design, Sareh Nouri never thought her career would enter the world of bridal fashion. But having had a passion for wedding gowns for as long as she could remember, Sareh designed her own gown for her 2009 nuptials, and from then on, she was hooked. With influences such as Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, Sareh is an ideal fit for Dallas brides, as she focuses on a traditional aesthetic with clean lines and intricate details. She finds inspiration through different types of fabric and the different cultures she encounters through international travel. As she prepared for a personal appearance and trunk show at Stanley Korshak, we sat down to find out more about the sought-after designer.
Q: How did you get your start in bridal design?
A: I have always had a passion for wedding dresses, and after I designed my gown, the wedding blues never went away. I never thought that I would design my dress, let alone design my first line in 2011. Before that, I was a graphic designer and had a lot of experience working with patterns. With my background, I was able to do a lot of things on my own in a cost- and time-efficient way, such as create my website, logo, and advertisements. While the business has grown to over 60 stores worldwide, I remain heavily involved in these areas along with design.
Q: Where do you find your inspiration for your designs?
I am a very traditional person design-wise and am heavily influenced by the aesthetic of Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Lauren Bacall. I do things the other way around, and when I see a piece of fabric that I love, I’ll make a dress out of it. I am also originally from Iran and gather design ideas from there and find inspiration from other cultures such as in the Middle East and China.
Q: How do you think your designs set you apart from other designers?
A: I tend not to find my inspiration through trends and do things I love. When you only stick to trends, you’ll see everyone is doing the same thing, and you won’t stand out. There was a point in bridal where there was a lot of trendy, sexy bridal looks with the open front and open back and with so many designers doing that, it looked repetitive. So, I design for that traditional bride, like the Dallas bride, and there are a lot of them that love the same sort of aesthetic.
Q: How do your designs relate to Dallas brides?
The Dallas bride is my bride and is where I find that my aesthetic is very well received. My current collection is inspired by Hollywood, and most of the pieces cater to the Dallas bride with their clean, Hollywood glam aesthetic. With Dallas being the city I travel to the most, I have had the opportunity to meet all sorts of different brides, and have experienced debutants who use bold colors, something that was new for me to see.
Q: What trends do you see coming for Dallas brides?
A: More sleeves. Even with the warm weather, Dallas brides love that iconic Grace Kelly aesthetic with detailed sleeves. I think brides are also moving away from strapless gowns and are moving toward more V necks and spaghetti-strap dresses.
Q: What does the future hold for Sareh Nouri?
A: Design-wise we will continue to develop a clean aesthetic by creating a traditional look with modern touches that isn’t too conservative. We see ourselves expanding internationally with those big markets to focus on evening wear. International brides love the delicate laces and detailed craftsmanship and fit my traditional bride aesthetic.
