MANAL WAUGH, CO-FOUNDER OF BOWIE RAE

Bowie Rae was was born from a primal dream to make gowns that spoke to the not so common bride. Like all fine art, the rules were only a guide. Introducing an all new, Australian bridal label for the statement bride. New to the growing club of alt-bridal, Bowie Rae is turning heads for their refreshingly brave take on bridal. A made to order bridal label with the main difference being choice.

TELL US ABOUT HOW BOWIE RAE WAS BORN?

I have one major rule when it comes to fashion, ignore the trends. I’m a lover of all things classic and simple; a ‘great pair of jeans and tee girl’ through and through. For me, cut, fit and fabric are the most important things; the devil and the fun is all in the details. I started this collection decades earlier than when I actually started Bowie Rae. There were certain styles I wanted to be part of bridal that just weren’t there, and that’s the beauty of my debut Her collection, most of the designs are classic in style with unique fabric selections as the main statement.

Bowie Rae was born because everything else was just so very bridal and repetitive. There were a few brands shaking things up, but nothing like today. The way of alt-bridal has really come a long way and I’m really honoured to be a part of that world, bringing the fashion runway to the aisle. 

I have always loved fashion and designing. I practically grew up designing couture fashion with my sister. She went into fashion design, I went into teaching! I loved teaching, and got a lot out of those 10 years, but I was always itching at the seams to get back into my creative hub. When I was looking for my wedding dress five years ago, I just felt it all surge back. I was spilling with designs after I had seen just how limited the bridal market was back then. One of my best friends and I started Bowie Rae right then and there and I never looked back. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE SHAPING BOWIE RAE?

When my mother passed away less than two years ago, it was the big push I needed to get things rolling. I already had a three month old and by the end of that year, I found out I was pregnant with my second. Ironically, instead of all this making me pause for a moment, it had just propelled me like never before. I knew it was a now or never kind of deal and so I was on full throttle to get it all going before the birth of my second child.

My business partner and I decided to go our separate ways and I became the sole designer for Bowie Rae. We are both still really good friends and she has continued championing me through it all, but there was such a freedom that came with having total control over the design process. I was instantly hooked and I haven’t stopped designing new collections ever since.

What creative work has you excited right now?  

I really loved collaborating with local artist Michelle Heldon to tell the beautiful story behind Her. That collection was just so special to me and to see her capture it all in a beautifully crafted book was a real highlight, drawing links between the majestic South Coast and my collection. I’m also really excited about the next AW2020 collection.

I launched with perhaps my most subdued collection. I love what Her allowed me to create but I was definitely limited with time and resources so it wasn’t as bold or daring as I wanted to go. It’s been really exciting exploring with more daring designs and fabric selections and even beginning collaborations for the next Summer Collection. 

WHAT DO YOU SEE AHEAD FOR BOWIE RAE?

The main challenge was keeping everything on shore which is a huge passion of mine. I know it’s hard but I have a great respect for the process of art rather than just the final result.

Keeping Bowie Rae all Australian was certainly one of the biggest challenges I had; it costs more money, time and man power but it means supporting Australian fashion which is such a dying industry. Having gone through the process twice, I can see the temptation in jumping ship and going offshore but if enough designers try to keep it all onshore, it will give everyone more options to play with and be better for us all in the long run. 

What advice do you have for emerging designers? 

Back yourself! I had a severe love/ hate relationship with my first collection towards the end because although I knew it wasn’t for every bride, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Too many people were confused at how this was a bridal label that I really started to second guess it. In the end, I had to take comfort in the fact that if I would wear it, surely at least one other bride would.

When model Rebecca Jobson first saw the collection and loved it all, it was the confidence boost I needed. Seeing her in my collection at the campaign shoot was just a dream! I was confident that Bowie Rae had a place in the bridal world and could back myself again. I almost pulled two of the most popular pieces from the collection due to the negative feedback during production. Now The Bombo and The Austi are one of the most asked about pieces of the collection. I’m so humbled by the positive reception I’ve had since launching and I’m so glad I backed myself in the end.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT GODKIN | MODEL REBECCA JOBSON

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