GP Creatives

GP Creatives brings a fresh perspective to bridal design, blending classic sophistication with a daring, fashion-forward approach.

Based in Sydney’s South, Gabrielle Pagano and her small team work closely with clients to craft custom gowns for weddings, receptions, and all bridal events. In this exclusive Q&A, we dive into Gabrielle’s creative journey, explore emerging bridal trends, and discover the heartfelt stories behind her unique designs that empower modern brides to feel their most confident.

Can you tell us about your journey into bridal design and what inspired you to start your own label?

With the benefit of hindsight, bridal was in my design trajectory from the very start. Beginning in high school, I would purchase pre-loved wedding dresses and formal wear from Vinnie’s for Design and Technology, and unpick them to learn everything I could teach myself about how to put them together. My first job in fashion was as a bridal stylist in a local bridal store where I remained until a year after my fashion studies concluded. I then became a design and production assistant, then manager at another local bridal company where I learned so much about running a bridal label as well as advanced construction techniques from our in-house machinists. During this time, I was taking on custom jobs from my home studio in my spare time. I feel incredibly lucky that eventually, I stepped back and realised I had accepted so much work it was time to go full time, and haven’t looked back since! Over the years working in bridal, my passion for making every woman I meet feel like the best version of herself only grows. This remains what drives me.

How would you describe your design style, and what elements or details make your gowns unique?

My design style captures femininity and elegance, while at the same time, pushing the boundaries of what we perceive as ‘bridal’ through innovative silhouettes, contemporary cutwork and unique textile applications. Our tagline, “Custom bridal reimagined as contemporary womenswear”, encapsulates the niche space we exist in between fashion and bridal. With the brand specialising in custom, one-of-a-kind pieces, our style is constantly evolving and expanding as we incorporate bits of each bride we meet into the brand DNA. At the same time, we remain true to our core values. These include the highest quality garments, ethical manufacture and sourcing, and most importantly, making sure our clients feel empowered when wearing GP Creatives. The result of this is evident on the body. Women feeling their most confident. Styles that are equal parts classic and unique. Playful, intricate and unexpected fit and fabrics that make our pieces a highly sought-after wardrobe keepsake.

What is your creative process when designing a custom bridal gown? How do you collaborate with brides to bring their vision to life?

When my clients come to me, there is usually a past style of mine that caught their eye. This is a starting point for honest and in-depth conversation about what the bride likes to wear, and if there are any features of their body that they would like to highlight or de-emphasise. From here, I will prepare a mood board to have different visual references to talk through, and propose different design ideas. The next step is my favourite bit, the fabric sourcing! Where I search for the perfect combination of fabrics to complete the one of a kind design. Fabric sourcing and reviewing concept sketches often happen in tandem to fully convey the concept to the client. Ultimately, designing with us is one big open conversation so that the bride and my team both feel confident in the shared vision. 

What trends are you seeing in bridal fashion right now, and how do you incorporate them into your designs while maintaining your signature style?

I feel like the era of multiple bridal looks is here to stay and this aligns perfectly with the brand as we are able to create those ‘secondary’ bridal looks such as reception dresses, looks for hens, bridal showers, welcome drinks and all sorts of bridal events. This gives brides the opportunity to execute different styles across their looks. I often find myself asking in consults, ‘is there anything you loved that you weren’t able to include in your ceremony look?’ Then it’s up to me to find creative ways to incorporate these ideas into their designs while staying true to our aesthetic. 

Another trend that is making a resurgence is a more traditional style of corded lace. I draw a lot of inspiration from quite traditional bridal and subvert an element to create contemporary styles. We have some really exciting gowns in the works for early 2025 with a strong focus on very unique cuts as the fabric is more traditional. This approach lends itself well to taking any trend that speaks to us and making it ours.

Ultimately in bridal unlike fashion, the trends stay a little longer and occur concurrently. This means we really have the chance to refine the way we engage with certain trends, and opt out of the ones that don’t align with our signature style.

Are there any fabrics, cuts, or embellishments that you particularly love working with when designing wedding gowns?

As such a tactile designer, fabric choice is everything in my designs, which makes it hard to narrow down! I adore the process of layering fabrics to create a unique texture. For example, starting with multiple layers of tulle, then an embroidered tulle, a beaded lace, then adding my own unique features like an organza appliqué or hand placed feather tufts. I also love working with luxurious silks or a Japanese crepe for my slip style gowns as this allows me to create drapes that are like liquid, and they follow and flatter the curves of the female form so beautifully. As for cuts generally, I love the structure of a scoop neck corseted bodice, the sophistication of a high neck halter, playful cut outs, sexy open backs and modern interpretations of cowls. 

Can you share a memorable experience or story from working with a bride on her gown?

Throughout the process of creating and fitting a custom gown, it’s hard not to form a unique bond with each and every bride. One that stands out in my mind is Suzie. Suzie came to me with her three sisters, their mum and her mum’s original 1980’s wedding gown. It was a beautiful taffeta gown with draped bodice, signature 80’s puff sleeves and scalloped hem. I immediately saw the vision. With a bit of TLC, I removed the sleeves and reworked them into removable off shoulder sleeves and straightened off the hem. The biggest transformation in modernising the style was adding boning and subtly reshaping the bodice to fit Suzie to perfection. The result was a sentimental piece that remained so true to the original gown her mother wore, while emulating the most current styles in bridal boutiques.

When I opened up the gown, I found the name ‘Jeffrey’ written in lead pencil in the seam allowance of the skirt. At our next fitting, I asked Suzie if the name Jeffrey meant anything to her. She was immediately moved to tears telling me it was her mum’s maiden name. We decided to keep the tradition going, and I added Suzie’s maiden name alongside her mother’s. 

What should brides consider when choosing a bridal gown, especially if they’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options?

One main piece of advise to any bride shopping for their bridal gown is to constantly evaluate does this make me feel like the best version of myself. Bridal should be all about you and you should never feel like you are playing dress ups or playing the part of a bride. By coming back to this core question, brides are able to come to a decision with confidence. We know it can be an overwhelming experience and for that reason, if you are ever feeling pressured to rush to a decision, consider it a no. After years in the industry, I can confidently say our role as designers and stylists is to guide you in making the right decision and be there while you develop your bridal signature. 

When contemplating having a gown custom made for you, the most important thing to reflect on is, can I trust the process. Many people are visual learners, meaning they might be more comfortable opting for an existing design off the rack, and that is okay! Couture requires a lot of trust and communication, which is why out main focus will alway be on building a relationship with our potential clients so that they are confident in our ability to listen, interpret and create what’s in their hearts. 

Do you have any exciting upcoming collections or collaborations you’re working on that you’d like to share?

For the past two years, GP Creatives has worked exclusively with clients to create one off custom designs. This will always be a core part of the brand, but there are only so many custom designs we can physically fit into a year and regretfully have had to turn many brides away. We are excited to announce that in the second half of 2025, you will be seeing our debut ready-to-wear collection in our exclusive Sydney stockist Hope X Page! We are so excited for this next chapter as it will allow us to create for more clients, especially over the busy bridal season where we may otherwise be booked out months in advance. You will be seeing the same signature structured minis, slip gowns and unique cuts you know and love from GP Creatives, ready to order in a much shorter space of time. 

What’s the most rewarding part of being a bridal designer, and what continues to inspire your work?

It might sound like a cliche, but the most rewarding part of being a bridal designer is without question, the amazing people I meet. It is truly a privilege to be trusted to create for what is constantly referred to as the most important day of your lives. There’s a level of intimacy and vulnerability in having a gown made for you from scratch and I feel genuinely lucky to be a part of the journey, from an idea in my mind, to watching a woman feel valued and beautiful, sometimes for the first time in their lives. 

Being able to connect with women has shaped a part of my own personal and professional development.

I’ve watched my own skill set grow exponentially by creating 24/7, observing trends, learning from customers what makes them feel amazing, being introduced to new ideas, pushing myself and achieving more than I ever thought possible in such a short space of time. I am constantly inspired by people, their stories and attribute a lot of who I am as a person to the opportunities I have had to relate to so many people on a personal level through designing for them. 

I feel lucky every day that I have built a life for myself and my little team with an outlet for creativity and opportunities to learn and evolve daily. And let’s not forget, working with other incredible vendors like photographers, videographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists, to name a few. I will never get tired of seeing professional photos of my beautiful brides feeling confident, comfortable, and empowered in their dresses. 

Learn more by visiting gpcreatives.com.au and @gp.creatives. Explore GP Creatives on the Together Journal Online Directory.