This interview is part of the Entrepreneurial Women Series, a column published by Leila Lewis, to shine the light on the inspiring women making waves in the business world.
Sarah Alouache is the founder, creative director, and designer of Sarah Alouache Bridal, a luxury wedding dress design firm based out of Canada. After spending 10 years working as a bridal consultant for a major bridal boutique in Montreal, she realized she had a true love for all things bridal. As she helped brides find their dream gowns, she noticed the market had very few brands that were truly listening to what brides wanted in a gown. She decided to start designing her own creations that catered to a modern bride. Her unique line is aimed to be beautiful and Pinterest-worthy while celebrating the authentic beauty of a bride being herself! We were honored to hear more of her story!
What inspired you to start Alouache Bridal, and how has it grown since then?
I’m a dreamer, and I have always been very creative. I like to see the beauty in all things. After spending the last ten years of my life as a Bridal Consultant in one of the most prominent bridal boutiques in Montreal, Canada, I fell madly and deeply in LOVE with everything bridal! Not to mention that from being a bride myself and also helping others find their dream dresses, I noticed that the market was greatly lacking authenticity and that only very few brands were listening to what brides were looking for in a dress. That’s when everything clicked, and I decided to start designing my own gowns. My mission was to create dresses that represented the modern woman, and celebrated her true and unique feminine power. I started very small by selling my designs locally to brides at the bridal shop I used to work in. I’m very proud to say that we can now find my designs in multiple boutiques across the US and Canada, which makes us very excited for what’s to come!
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?
That nobody can be you, and that’s your superpower. In a world where everyone is constantly comparing themselves to others, I have learned that the most beautiful things come from staying authentic to who you are. There is something magical in all of us that needs to be celebrated! In a social media age where everything seems so perfect, it’s very easy to start comparing what you are doing to the latest thing that is happening online. Social media can be a great source of inspiration, but it can also be harmful if not consumed in moderation. I like to remind myself that inspiration can be found in other places and all around us everywhere – nature, architecture, or my favorite, my brides and the beautiful community of women around me!
What is your key to standing out in your industry?
Our brand is all about the genuine and the authentic. My team and I love helping our brides and accompanying them through their Sarah Alouache journey of finding the perfect dress. We love helping them style their gowns, or just by sharing our latest tips and tricks on everything bridal. Everything that we do is done with love and passion. We also create beautifully made designs to celebrate every bit of a woman’s personality! The fun, the sexy, the weird, and everything in between. In a world where everyone is constantly comparing themselves, doing things differently will, without any doubt, elevate our message and our voice!
What excites you most about what you do?
There is so much inspiration around us every day, and our Mother Nature has blessed us with such unique beauty. I’m always excited about when an idea pops out from my morning walks or just by reading a book! This is where the fun part begins, which means the start of the creative process. I just love putting together a mood board and seeing my vision unfold before my eyes. There is something so magical in seeing your design come to life in a photoshoot and seeing the simple fruit of your imagination come to life!
What’s something surprising that people may not know about your industry?
The bridal industry tends to promote this picture-perfect image of what a bride should look like or wear on her big day. I always like to remind my brides (and myself!) that the most beautiful things and moments come from imperfection. I’m all about breaking the industry’s rules and doing bridal differently by embracing all sides of it and making the most out of the unexpected.
What do you envision for the future of your brand in the next five years?
We receive so many love messages from brides worldwide wanting to try on and buy our designs, and I feel so blessed about it. Our current mission is to find boutiques worldwide that share our ethos and vision of bridal. We would love if in 5 years our dresses are easily accessible and in near reach for brides around the globe!
Rapid Fire!
How do you recharge after a busy work day?
CUDDLES! There is just nothing a big cuddle can’t do. So simple and easy to get and yet so powerful!
What are 3 words you’d hope clients/customers would use to describe your brand?
Authentic, modern, effortless.
Favorite AM drink:
A green smoothie! I’m not a big coffee or tea drinker, and people always give me a look that I must be an alien coming from Mars or something. I just love starting my day with a decadent nutrient-dense green smoothie. There is just something so refreshing about it, and my body craves it most morning – plus, it makes me feel good!
