Our Shopfront profiles give you the chance to take a peek behind the scenes and get to know some pretty amazing talents. First featured in Issue 18, the delightful Amy Oram (owner of Love Marie, and designer for their bespoke headwear label, Teeki), takes us behind the scenes of her whimsical Camden boutique.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself pre opening up a bridal boutique? I completed a four-year Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design at St George TAFE. There, I developed a passion for millinery which inspired me to create Teeki Designs By Amy Oram – custom handmade headpieces for the bridal and racing fashion industries.
What inspired you to open Love Marie? For a few years I had been building up Teeki, creating headpieces for brides, race-goers and party girls. When sourcing gowns for shoots and trawling social media for different designers, I found many were international and not available to brides here in Australia. This planted the seed in my mind to maybe one day chase a dream to expand my business and open a beautiful bridal boutique where I could not only showcase unique gowns, but also create headwear and veils to complement them.
Can you tell us the story behind the name ‘Love Marie’? My grandma was my biggest fan and supported me through everything I did. Every time she visited, she wanted to look at all my things, what I had been learning about, doing and creating. I loved sharing that with her until she sadly passed away. My grandma and grandad left me a little bit of money so I decided to use that to open my boutique. I knew in my heart that they would love nothing more than to help my dreams and aspirations come true. It was only fitting that I was to name the boutique after my grandma, Marie Barrow.
How would you describe the ‘Love Marie’ bride? There’s a distinct bohemian vibe to everything that is in-store but each gown can be styled to take on a vintage or sleek modern feel as well.
Where is Love Marie located? Love Marie is located in Camden, approximately an hour from Sydney CBD and 45 minutes from Sydney Airport. I often describe Camden as having a similar vibe to Bowral. There are lots of boutique shops, delicious cafes and some amazing wedding venues.
What are your opening hours? Love Marie is open by appointment only – primarily Tuesday to Saturday. I understand the time constraints of modern life so I try to be flexible and can sometimes open Sunday and Monday if there is a demand.
Can brides bring friends and family to the appointment? Of course brides can bring whoever they feel comfortable to have with them. I do recommend keeping it to 3-4 people as too many opinions can sometimes make things harder and not easier. I do also love having brides on their own, especially to their initial consultation. This gives them an opportunity to get a feel for the gowns they really love. Once they have created a short list, I encourage them to bring along a second opinion to help them feel confident in making a final decision.
What designers do you stock? American designers Nicole Miller, Daughters of Simone, Tara Lauren, Claire Pettibone, Tatyana Merenyuk and Loulette Bride, Truvelle and Anais Anette from Canada, Rembo Styling and Riki Dalal from Belgium and Israel respectively in addition to Aussie labels Chosen By One Day Bridal and Georgia Young Couture.
What’s the price range of your gowns? Prices start at $2000 and go up to as much as $7000. Also available for brides with a shorter amount of time or a smaller budget is a sample sale rack that starts at $1000.
Do you sell accessories? Yes! It’s like a bridal cave full of goodies! There’s jewellery by Samantha Wills, a wall of beautiful headpieces by Teeki as well as some incredible creations by New York designer Lelet, bridal robes, lingerie, faux fur wraps and jackets, fun jumpers and tees with super cute slogans. Just in case that’s not enough, there’s also plenty of little things to gift the bridesmaids too.
What trends are you currently loving in bridal fashion right now? Bridal jackets are a major trend at the moment. They add a touch of personality to your outfit and help keep you warm between photos, whilst sipping cocktails or when leaving the venue at the end of the night. At the top of the list are personalised leather jackets, tasteful sequin bombers, or my personal favourite,Chosen By One Day denim jackets that you can add customised text to. Bridal gowns, two-pieces are getting more and more popular. A personal fave is the laser cut lace top and plain front split skirt by Riki Dalal
Fave part of your job? Nothing beats seeing the happiness and elation when a bride tries on ‘the one’! The different emotions and reactions from different personalities is unforgettable.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photography Scott Surplice Bridal Boutique Love Marie.