Inside the Studio with Shawne Jacobs, Creative Director and President of Anne Barge Design House
You know when you find that designer that you just connect with? Every piece in their collection seems to speak to you? Anne Barge is one of those designers for me. I absolutely adore their bridal and special occasion dresses and I was honored to feature one of their looks in our recent Creation Editorial a few weeks ago.
So when I got the chance to sit down with Shawne Jacobs, Creative Director and President of Ann Barge, I was more than a little excited. I love getting to chat with other creatives. It is so fascinating to get a peek into their design process and learn where they get their inspiration. Shawne got started with Anne Barge when the brand was just two years old, studying and learning under the company’s namesake - Anne Barge Clegg - so she knows bridalwear. Each Anne Barge piece is classic, modern, and memorable. Truly a work of art.
We are so grateful to Shawne for taking a bit of time to share with us. Enjoy!
What drew you to designing for bridalwear? How did you get started designing?
Growing up my mother enrolled me in many art classes which not only encouraged but fueled my creativity throughout my adolescent years. After high school, I attended the University of Louisville to acquire my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus in architecture. During my Sophomore year, I decided my passion lay in design, specifically evening wear. I then transferred to American Intercontinental University in Atlanta, GA where I majored in a dual degree, Fashion Design & Marketing. After graduation, I applied for an open position in Atlanta with a fairly new bridal designer named Anne Barge. I never intended to design bridal as I always imagined moving to New York or LA to fulfill my dream. Obviously, fate had something else in store for my career. The Anne Barge brand was only two years old when I joined the company working part-time in the shipping & receiving department. I was 24 and so excited to have my first real job in fashion. Within three months, I was offered a full-time position and within a year, Anne Barge Clegg allowed me to participate in the designing process of each new collection. It was through her guidance and mentorship that molded my bridal gown designing.
Sounds like you were a fit for the Anne Barge brand early on. Thinking of where the brand is now, where did the inspiration for your latest collection come from? How do you take that inspiration and move it into a design?
I was very inspired by nature this past season. I found myself spending many days outside during quarantine taking in nature's natural beauty. There is so much lush greenery around Georgia. This season, I gravitated towards floral fabrics, whether it was oversized floral Chantilly lace, floral jacquard, or 3-D organza blossom appliques. I wanted every wedding dress in the collection to pop against the vibrant green forest background. Each design proved to be a symbol of prosperity, freshness and growth during an unprecedented year. Before designing a new collection, we always consult with our sales team to discuss best-selling styles. What is it about that dress that the brides-to-be love? Is it the neckline, the skirt shape or the construction? We discuss if we are missing anything within all of our current looks. We also discuss what doesn’t sell as well as we hoped and what they don't love. Is it something that is not flattering, is the exaggerated dropped waist seam hitting in the wrong spot? After these conversations, I take my inspiration and the fabrics selected to start designing the silhouettes. This becomes the foundation of the new collection.
Do you or your team have a favorite dress from the current collection?
My favorite dress in the 2021 collection is ‘Forever Yours.’ We have used this specific silk floral jacquard fabric in past seasons. I knew I wanted to use it again this season but modernize the silhouette shape to a new extent. I love to design classic modern architectural dresses. The fabric made this minimalistic dress stunning!
What elements do you keep in mind when designing that are a signature of an Anne Barge design?
It has to be timeless! Modern but still classic. Signature design elements for the Anne Barge brand consist of lace, modern architectural seaming and intricate details. We pride ourselves on our fit and construction.
Do you design with a type of bride in mind?
I feel we design something for every type of bride. It's for a bride who wants a timeless silhouette with a contemporary twist. Something feminine yet sophisticated, the perfect blend between classic traditional and modern chic. Our designs are size inclusive.
What does your creative process look like when designing a new collection?
Being an extremely visual person, I love to surround myself with art. Whether this is in the form of photographs, architecture, nature, or even an everyday object, I am constantly inspired by the world around me. Based on these artistic inspirations, I begin sketching new ideas on paper. I begin to gather a selection of color swatches, fabrics, and beading that I am most drawn to. These samples are the first steps to creating my mood board for the new collection. From there, the gowns slowly come to life as muslin fabrics are draped on a mannequin. We fit the gown constructed of muslin on our fit model and make pattern adjustments if needed. Once the muslin is perfect, we draft a pattern. The gown is then cut in the bridal fabrics selected. If we have designed beading to go on the dress, a paper pattern and a detailed artwork drawing is sent to one of our hand beading departments to follow. Lace is cut and appliqued by hand. Once the gown is completed, we refit the dress on our model. We may fit a gown three to four times before it is to perfection. You will then see the final masterpiece shown on the runway.
As a creative business owner myself I always love seeing how people structure their day to day. What does a typical day in your life look like?
I wake up every morning around 6:00 am. I have three boys in elementary school, so I get up with them in the morning to get them ready and out the door for school. I then walk our 149-pound silver Lab before heading into the gym for a quick 30 to 45-minute workout. Working out helps my creative juices start flowing and not to mention keeping my stress level lower. Next, I head into our design offices where I like to take a glance at my emails to see if there is anything important that needs my attention right away. Now-a-days, I typically have at least one Zoom meeting a day. I set a time each week to check in with all of the departments at Anne Barge including production, design, sales, marketing, PR and shipping & receiving. There are days I am on the phone with one of our retailers catching up or jumping into a bridal gown appointment to meet one of our Anne Barge brides in our adjacent Atelier.
What wedding dress trends are you loving right now?
Oversized dramatic sleeves, transformative wedding dress ensembles, and maxi bows.
What’s your go-to wedding dress accessory?
A veil...typical but there is something so magical when a bride puts on a veil for the first time. Whether she decides to wear it or not, most brides comment, "Wow, this is really happening. I am getting married.”
What advice would you give a bride shopping for a wedding dress?
Do your research! Use Pinterest to type in keywords of shapes, silhouettes, fabrics, designers that you might be interested in. Discover gowns that fit these descriptions and then research which retailers in your area carry that look or designer. Many bridal stores are starting to charge for appointments. This will help to cut down on the number of stores you shop with and will make it easier to find ‘the one.’
You can find Anne Barge at their flagship store in Atlanta, Georgia. Or locally at White Bridal Boutiques and Hyde Park Bridal.
Or find them online at Website | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter