‘Childhood dreams’: Roisin Dockry on designing her dream wedding dress

Tell us a bit about your background in fashion.

I was first introduced to fashion by my late grandmother, who used to make her own clothes for every occasion. Inspired by her creativity and innovation, I would draw hundreds of outfits as a child. I studied fashion design at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Dublin, and after graduating, I worked as a fashion designer for Savida in Dunnes Stores. Then in 2020, I decided to start my own luxury womenswear brand, Róisín Dockry Design, where I create bespoke pieces with statement silhouettes and elegant compositions to empower the wearer with self-assurance and confidence. After getting engaged in December 2023, I was inspired to expand into bridal wear and create my own wedding dress and bridal collection. It’s a new and exciting chapter for me, and I feel so inspired to create dream dresses for Irish brides-to-be. 

What inspired you to design your own wedding dress?

Initially, I scoped the market for my dream dress in some of my favourite wedding dress shops. However, in the back of my mind, I had a burning thought: ‘Imagine if I made my own wedding dress.’ It ended up being the most rewarding and enjoyable process in my design career. I always knew I wanted a princess-style dress, but I also wanted to incorporate my own style, combining structurally unique shapes to the silhouette, while also keeping it classic and timeless. 

What did the creative process entail?

I started with creating mock-up samples and trying them on myself to get the right shape. From there, I tweaked and refined my design. I knew finding the right fabric was going to be the most challenging task, but I discovered the most perfect silk dupion fabric in Roisin Cross Silks in Dublin. This fabric was used for the body of the dress, and I combined it with a crisp silk taffeta for the pleated bodice to add more drama to the dress. It was everything I dreamed of. 

Did you design your second dress too?

Making my own wedding dress inspired me to make all my bridal outfits in the lead up to the wedding, and then to launch a mini bridal collection. A big dress would have held me back from dancing the night away, so a mini dress was a better option. I added layers of tulle and bows to the skirt to make it ballerina-like, extra playful and full of movement. 

What was your inspiration for your capsule bridal collection?

Surroundings and personal experiences have always inspired my designs. Over the years, my collections tend to reflect what I am going through at that particular point in my life. This bridal wear collection is a celebration of childhood dreams coming true, where the joy and excitement of becoming a bride are brought to life through elegant and feminine designs. Each piece in the collection is a journey back to those innocent dreams of growing up and dreaming of your fairytale wedding. This collection features soft, feminine details and romantic fabrics like tulle, satin and silk, emphasising the grace and elegance of a bride. 

Tell us about your bespoke service. How does this work?

My garments are delivered on a made-to-order basis. Each piece is made especially for the customer once the order is placed, taking into account their measurements. When ordering pieces on the website, it can take up to three weeks to be delivered. If a bride is looking to design her dress, they can contact me at dockryroisin@gmail.com. Here we arrange a one-to-one meeting where we discuss their vision and exactly what they are looking for. If we are a good fit, we will collaborate to design the gown. At least six months are required for the entire creative process. 

How do you implement sustainable fashion in your collections?

When I started my brand, I wanted to take a more conscious and sustainable approach when creating garments. My brand is a slow-fashion brand, meaning each piece is created mindfully for the customer. Each piece is carefully made with attention to detail and a focus on quality to ensure a long-lasting life for each piece. Having each garment made especially for you makes it even more special to own. I create my pieces on a made-to-order basis, aiming to reduce the amount of textile waste produced. There is no leftover stock to be disposed of. Considering the whole product life cycle is an important factor when designing the garments. I am still growing my knowledge of the production and disposal of garments in the industry and continuously making a strong effort to be more environmentally friendly, while creating garments that empower the wearer and make them feel special.