Can you tell us about the story behind LVR—Who are you and what inspired its creation?
Lauren: LVR was dreamt up in 2021 during the chaos of lockdown wedding planning. Unable to travel for dress fittings, I relied on my experience designing wedding dresses to create my own gown. Luckily, Jacque had just returned from Australia, where she started her journey in crafting bespoke wedding dresses. It felt natural to join forces and create the perfect dress together. This experience sparked the idea for LVR. We recognized a need for a bridal boutique that brought iconic designers to New Zealand and fostered a supportive community within the industry. Our strength lies in our relationship, balancing each other’s styles and creative instincts. We are committed to spotlighting each bride’s unique taste and ensuring she feels genuinely herself on her special day.
What sets LVR apart from other bridal stores in New Zealand?
What sets LVR apart is our vibrant community of like-minded women and our commitment to individuality. We bring brands to New Zealand that were previously unavailable here, giving brides access to exclusive designs without needing to travel overseas. Our collaborations with other designers and our focus on unique, fashion-forward pieces also make us stand out. We prioritize creating a supportive and empowering environment for each bride, making her feel special and understood.
How would you describe the aesthetic and style of the dresses offered at LVR?
Our dresses and bridal looks are a blend of modern, fashion-forward designs with a touch of timeless elegance. We offer a variety of styles, from minimalist chic to intricate lace and bold silhouettes. Our aesthetic focuses on high-quality materials, impeccable craftsmanship, and unique details that reflect each bride’s individuality.
What can a bride expect when they walk through the doors of LVR for their bridal appointment?
When a bride walks into LVR, they can expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere where they feel valued and understood. Our boutique offers a personalized, stress-free experience, starting with an initial consultation to understand the vision, followed by a curated selection of dresses tailored to each brides style. It’s all about making every bride feel confident and beautiful as they find their perfect bridal ensemble.
Do you have any signature designs or features that are unique to LVR?
Yes, we have our own collection called Hand in Hand, which has been incredibly well-received. Our designs often feature unique details like interesting cuts, layered lace, and modern silhouettes. We also love collaborating with other designers to create exclusive pieces, like our wedding suit with Wynn Hamlyn and lingerie line with Videris.
What services do you offer to brides to ensure they find the perfect dress for their special day?
We offer personalized bridal consultations, fittings, and styling advice. Our team is dedicated to helping brides navigate the overwhelming choices and find a dress that truly reflects their personal style. We also host trunk shows, bringing exclusive collections to our boutique for a limited time, giving brides access to a wider range of options.
Can you share any success stories or memorable moments from helping brides find their dream dresses at LVR?
One of our favorite moments was helping a bride who had been searching for her dress for months without success. She came to us feeling quite disheartened, and really nervous about her fitting – but during her appointment, we found the perfect gown. She started crying in the fitting room because of what a wonderful experience she had. Seeing her tears of happiness and knowing we helped make her feel confident and beautiful is what makes our job so rewarding.
In your opinion, what are the key factors that a bride should consider when choosing her wedding dress?
Key factors for us, are comfort and personal style. It’s important for brides to feel comfortable and confident in their dress. They should choose a style that reflects their personality and makes them feel like the best version of themselves.
How does LVR stay up-to-date with the latest bridal trends while maintaining its distinctive style?
We stay connected with the global fashion scene and collaborate with innovative designers. Following ready to wear fashion trends allows us to incorporate modern elements into our collections. At the same time, we maintain our distinctive style by focusing on high-quality craftsmanship and our own unique, personalised style.
Can you offer any insider tips or advice for brides-to-be who are embarking on their wedding dress shopping journey?
Start by creating a Pinterest board to gather inspiration and identify your style. Visit bridal boutiques that align with your vision and try on a variety of styles to see what suits you best. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Remember, it’s about feeling like the best version of yourself on your special day.
What does LVR predict for this upcoming season? What do you think we will be seeing more of on our Kiwi brides?
We predict a rise in bold, fashion-forward choices. Brides are becoming more experimental with volume, shapes, and textures. We expect to see more gowns with unique details like beaded accents, layered lace, and corsetry. Personalization and individuality will continue to be key trends.
Any trends from last season you’ll be pleased to see put into the archives?
While we appreciate all trends, we’re ready to move past overly traditional styles that don’t offer much room for personal expression. We’re excited to see more brides embracing unique and modern designs that truly reflect their personality.
Does LVR have any plans to extend its range to footwear, bridal accessories?
Not at this time. We are incredibly happy supporting the amazing brands we currently have in store. We love showcasing the work of local designers like Anoushka Van Rijn, Jasmin Sparrow, and Oasis Jewellery. In terms of footwear, we love featuring Bronwyn heels in our fitting room, providing our brides with beautiful, locally designed heels to complete their look during their appointments.
What is next for LVR? Any insider scoops you can give us?
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be hosting the first-ever Vivienne Westwood Trunk Show in New Zealand this September, featuring iconic designs worn by celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Miley Cyrus. We’re also hosting a Wed Studio Trunk Show in July, showcasing cutting-edge bridal fashion from London. Additionally, we’re working on expanding our Hand in Hand collection with new, innovative designs, so lots on the calendar for LVR!
Can you tell us about the story behind LVR—Who are you and what inspired its creation?
Lauren: LVR was dreamt up in 2021 during the chaos of lockdown wedding planning. Unable to travel for dress fittings, I relied on my experience designing wedding dresses to create my own gown. Luckily, Jacque had just returned from Australia, where she started her journey in crafting bespoke wedding dresses. It felt natural to join forces and create the perfect dress together. This experience sparked the idea for LVR. We recognized a need for a bridal boutique that brought iconic designers to New Zealand and fostered a supportive community within the industry. Our strength lies in our relationship, balancing each other’s styles and creative instincts. We are committed to spotlighting each bride’s unique taste and ensuring she feels genuinely herself on her special day.
What sets LVR apart from other bridal stores in New Zealand?
What sets LVR apart is our vibrant community of like-minded women and our commitment to individuality. We bring brands to New Zealand that were previously unavailable here, giving brides access to exclusive designs without needing to travel overseas. Our collaborations with other designers and our focus on unique, fashion-forward pieces also make us stand out. We prioritize creating a supportive and empowering environment for each bride, making her feel special and understood.
How would you describe the aesthetic and style of the dresses offered at LVR?
Our dresses and bridal looks are a blend of modern, fashion-forward designs with a touch of timeless elegance. We offer a variety of styles, from minimalist chic to intricate lace and bold silhouettes. Our aesthetic focuses on high-quality materials, impeccable craftsmanship, and unique details that reflect each bride’s individuality.
What can a bride expect when they walk through the doors of LVR for their bridal appointment?
When a bride walks into LVR, they can expect a warm, welcoming atmosphere where they feel valued and understood. Our boutique offers a personalized, stress-free experience, starting with an initial consultation to understand the vision, followed by a curated selection of dresses tailored to each brides style. It’s all about making every bride feel confident and beautiful as they find their perfect bridal ensemble.
Do you have any signature designs or features that are unique to LVR?
Yes, we have our own collection called Hand in Hand, which has been incredibly well-received. Our designs often feature unique details like interesting cuts, layered lace, and modern silhouettes. We also love collaborating with other designers to create exclusive pieces, like our wedding suit with Wynn Hamlyn and lingerie line with Videris.
What services do you offer to brides to ensure they find the perfect dress for their special day?
We offer personalized bridal consultations, fittings, and styling advice. Our team is dedicated to helping brides navigate the overwhelming choices and find a dress that truly reflects their personal style. We also host trunk shows, bringing exclusive collections to our boutique for a limited time, giving brides access to a wider range of options.
Can you share any success stories or memorable moments from helping brides find their dream dresses at LVR?
One of our favorite moments was helping a bride who had been searching for her dress for months without success. She came to us feeling quite disheartened, and really nervous about her fitting – but during her appointment, we found the perfect gown. She started crying in the fitting room because of what a wonderful experience she had. Seeing her tears of happiness and knowing we helped make her feel confident and beautiful is what makes our job so rewarding.
In your opinion, what are the key factors that a bride should consider when choosing her wedding dress?
Key factors for us, are comfort and personal style. It’s important for brides to feel comfortable and confident in their dress. They should choose a style that reflects their personality and makes them feel like the best version of themselves.
How does LVR stay up-to-date with the latest bridal trends while maintaining its distinctive style?
We stay connected with the global fashion scene and collaborate with innovative designers. Following ready to wear fashion trends allows us to incorporate modern elements into our collections. At the same time, we maintain our distinctive style by focusing on high-quality craftsmanship and our own unique, personalised style.
Can you offer any insider tips or advice for brides-to-be who are embarking on their wedding dress shopping journey?
Start by creating a Pinterest board to gather inspiration and identify your style. Visit bridal boutiques that align with your vision and try on a variety of styles to see what suits you best. Trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Remember, it’s about feeling like the best version of yourself on your special day.
What does LVR predict for this upcoming season? What do you think we will be seeing more of on our Kiwi brides?
We predict a rise in bold, fashion-forward choices. Brides are becoming more experimental with volume, shapes, and textures. We expect to see more gowns with unique details like beaded accents, layered lace, and corsetry. Personalization and individuality will continue to be key trends.
Any trends from last season you’ll be pleased to see put into the archives?
While we appreciate all trends, we’re ready to move past overly traditional styles that don’t offer much room for personal expression. We’re excited to see more brides embracing unique and modern designs that truly reflect their personality.
Does LVR have any plans to extend its range to footwear, bridal accessories?
Not at this time. We are incredibly happy supporting the amazing brands we currently have in store. We love showcasing the work of local designers like Anoushka Van Rijn, Jasmin Sparrow, and Oasis Jewellery. In terms of footwear, we love featuring Bronwyn heels in our fitting room, providing our brides with beautiful, locally designed heels to complete their look during their appointments.
What is next for LVR? Any insider scoops you can give us?
We’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be hosting the first-ever Vivienne Westwood Trunk Show in New Zealand this September, featuring iconic designs worn by celebrities like Hailey Bieber and Miley Cyrus. We’re also hosting a Wed Studio Trunk Show in July, showcasing cutting-edge bridal fashion from London. Additionally, we’re working on expanding our Hand in Hand collection with new, innovative designs, so lots on the calendar for LVR!
