GIO BESPOKE INTERVIEW | FLOWERGIRL DRESSES MELBOURNE

"At the end of the day, it's about them being comfortable and feeling special in a Gio Bespoke dress." Joanne - Gio Bespoke

➳ Take us back to the beginning, how and when was GIO BESPOKE born? Gio Bespoke was born 3 years ago. I have 2 nieces at the time they were both needing flowergirl dresses, and there was nothing around that we liked. After running around all over Melbourne, I realised there was a gap in
the market.

MELBOURNE HANDMADE FLOWER GIRL DRESSES COUTURE

➳ Tell us about what GIO BESPOKE can offer a flower girl for a Wedding day? Gio bespoke offers flowergirls a chance to be real life dolls, the tulle, the beading and all the detail, it becomes all about them and their own fantasy world. I have so much fun with my clients, getting to know each other and they become comfortable enough with me to tell me what they want their dress to be like. I then start sketching and the process starts evolving.

I offer a one on one design service with all of my clients. You will never see the same dress on any two girls, and if you do it has been modified to suit the flowergirl. I love seeing their personality come alive in my designs. At the end of the day, it's about them being comfortable and feeling special in a Gio Bespoke dress.

➳ Did you always know that you wanted to design childrens couture? I knew from a very young age that I would be in fashion somehow. My grandmother was a tailor and taught me ALOT of things. After sleeping over at her house most weekends, she would teach me more. I loved her stories of Southern Europe, of her tailoring experiences and loved the way she made her patterns straight onto fabric. I have been in the fashion industry for 20 years now, working as a Creative Patternmaker for many well known Australian fashion labels.

From the age of 16, I started a custom Bridal and Evening Gown business with my mother. I always wanted to create an evening dress line, but since Gio Bespoke has grown so rapidly, I have decided to put the evening wear on hold and focus whole heartly on Gio Bespoke.

➳ Do you have any classic stories that you would like to share from your experiences? I have been blessed with some of the most amazing customers that allow me to do what I love for a career. They listen and trust what I do and give me full range to create amazing dresses for their daughters. The best part of showing my girls their dresses, is watching their eyes light up and their mothers eyes fill with tears. They then become my little friends and occasionally call me from time to time from their mum's mobile for a chat. (So cute)

➳ What advice would you offer to a Bride/Mother of the Flowergirl team who are just starting out on their search for the perfect flowergirl gown? When making dresses for anyone you must feel comfortable with the person that is making your gown. You must trust them, if there is no trust you will find that it will show through your gown and can become restrictive in terms of its design. Don't be shy to experiment with different design details. Little girls love details and pretty things and so do I.

➳ Do you have a personal favourite style? I design my own beaded and embroided fabrics. I love detail and technique. I am constantly coming up with samples of different techniques to incorporate into the fabric. I love feathers and leather and love creating fabrics with these two mediums together.

➳ What is the best part about what you do: Making little girls smile and making them feel special. In this day and age its nice to help little girls feel special and comfortable in their own bodies.