It's not at all surprising that Sharon Bowen of Sharon Bowen Couture has become firmly established as an internationally acclaimed bridal and eveningwear designer, counting many celebrities among her extensive clientele.

Born in Congleton, Cheshire, the heart of the silk and garment manufacturing industry, it was a very natural career path for her to take, because her mother created fabulous eveningwear for royalty as a sample seamstress.

Having watched her mother make these fabulous gowns, she copied the dresses in miniature sizes for her Sindy dolls from a young age.

The skills and passion for design never left her and she later decided to train in fashion design and illustration at Bristol Polytechnic. After gaining a BA Honours degree, she then went to Paris to begin her career as a couturier, with Francois Lesage as her mentor.

Sharon continued her career with Hubert Aimetti and went on to design for some of the world's most prestigious fashion houses, including Chloe and Dior, before launching her own range.

Sharon established her own label at the age of 21 in Paris, as there was a gap in the market for sophisticated and elegant garments.

Her design range later extended to couture wedding gowns, following her return to the UK and the tremendous interest in her own gown when she married in 1993.

Now permanently based in Congleton, Cheshire, Sharon has since joined forces with Rosie Panesar.

 

Highly respected for her intricate beadwork, Sharon's business partner Rosie had been trailblazing in the Asian wedding industry for 15 years with her design and manufacturing business, prior to meeting Sharon.

The couture gowns that Sharon and Rosie now create together are cut to perfection, style is paramount and the designs are daring, yet with a maturity of style, thanks to Sharon's Paris-based training and Rosie's immaculate beadwork.

Sharon and Rosie's originality and determination to set trends, rather than follow them, together with a detailed use of exquisite, quality embroidery, is what gives their designs a unique touch.

They also have an eye for fashion, excellent pricing and an understanding of teamwork, which is why they have now joined forces to form the Couture House Ltd, under which the Sharon Bowen Couture brand is now housed.

Within this new structure, Rosie makes the most of her strong sense of management by looking after the business side, whilst Sharon concentrates on creativity and together they are having an enormous impact on the bridal design industry.

With 20 outlets in the UK and six abroad, they are fast becoming globally acclaimed.

And what do they most enjoy about the bridal business?

Creating stunning gowns for happy brides!