We all have our favorite designers, some we like because of their personal style, some because of their unique technique. I like Suzanne Ermann for both reasons. I can never guess what she’ll design next.

Every year she surprises me with a new and fabulous collection. And 2010 is no exception from the rule. In order to get some answer on how she manages to design such unbelievable gowns, I’ve asked hers some questions and Suzanne was kind enough to answer.

When did you decide to become a designer and why did you find this domain interesting?

I discovered the sewing universe when I was 8 years old. Thanks to my grandmother who took me along with her to her friend’s workshop and then offered me my first sewing machine for my birthday.

Talk us through the first years of you work. Maybe you could tell us what did change in time? Are your designs different from the very beginning?
At the very beginning I designed cocktail dresses and then little by little these dresses evolved into gown dresses. Fabrics changed, fleshed out, style became more asserted.

Why should a bride-to-be choose one of your gowns?

Because modern brides want to be different, they want to be both pretty, comfortable and looking fresh.

How long does it take to design a single wedding dress?

It is really a question of inspiration, sometimes I twill take two minutes and sometimes two days.

Do tell us a bit more about your inspiration sources for your collection.

I am inspired through different things such as: the fashion’s evolution, the women in the street, the new trends and even the architecture, various forms and objects.

Do you also work with brides or you just try to give them the best of your designs in your collections?

I listen to the brides from one way, which means I hear what they say but I also stay focus on my ideas to avoid being influenced too much by them and surprise them by offering new styles.

Have you got any gown you’ve created and that has a very special meaning for you? Can you describe it or can show us a picture?

When you work according to a specific theme , the dress must reflect this theme. For example to redolant the sea, I created a dress in blue shade tone with a twist which represented a wave (see picture).

From your point of view, how should a perfect bride look like?

According to me, the most important is that the dress reflects the bride’s personality, emphasizes her lines and not being bulky.

And tell us what would you give her and, maybe, other brands can’t.

We’ve got really nice accessories such as gloves, umbrellas etc. In case of rain, one of our umbrellas would end perfectly the dress.

Can you give us an insight on your new collection? What where your inspiration sources, what did you opt for as materials, shapes etc.

This year I created a collection focused on the twists, signature of the brand, by offering pur lines: princess form, sheath form, empire form or voluminous short or even in « duchesse satin » outlined by twists, with tulle and lace which emphasize and lighten the silhouette.

Do you like a more traditional approach or do you try to create a different image of the traditional bride?

I am really focused on a modern and contemporary style to give an image that breaks with the traditional gowns.

Last but not least, do you have an advice for FashionBride readers?
Listen the advices but not being too influenced by them.