From Say Yes to the Dress to a story of strength and resilience,
Hayley is an inspiration in the bridal world and beyond…
It’s an honor to have her with us in this heartfelt mini interview.
Get inspired!
Hayley, tell us a little about yourself… Where does this passion for what you do come from, and what inspires you the most outside the world of bridal gowns?
“I’m a card-carrying optimist, and I see dress design as a way of communicating. My passion started at the sewing machine my grandmother sat me in front of when I was seven. It was less about fashion and more about contributing a verse. I find inspiration just about everywhere, art, culture, nature, love stories. I’ve also been fortunate to explore a few side quests that have helped sharpen my perspective. Those playful detours always find their way back into the dresses.”
Your name has become a true reference in bridal fashion, associated with iconic and unforgettable dresses. How would you describe your journey?
“Truly kind of you to say. It’s been a winding, sometimes whirly path and certainly not without its speed bumps. My journey has orbited around some pretty major plot twists: going from the dream of designing under my own name, to losing that right, to finally regaining it. It hasn’t been linear, but it’s uniquely mine. I’ve learned not to tether myself to the negative chapters of the past.”
Is there a special design that has marked your career in a unique way?
If so, which one and why?
“After the Storm feels like an homage to finding your way through the tough stuff. It’s light, but it carries lessons; playful, but structured. Designing it wasn’t just about aesthetics, it was about healing. How do you embody resilience through layers and reconstructed craft? It’s a gown that designed me as much as I designed it.”
How would you describe the Hayley Paige aesthetic in just one sentence to a bride
who has never seen your dresses?
“High craft, but still full of whimsy.”
Looking back, what was the moment when you realized your name would make a mark in the bridal world?
“I’ve always treasured my interactions with bride, the love I have for what I do has truly grown from those connections. I’ll never forget when one bride said, “This feels like me in dress form.” That kind of real connection and collaboration is what makes me feel most grateful.”
Your collection Twice Upon a Time is also a new chapter, and its name carries a play on words that reflects that. How did you choose this name?
“I don’t believe in the “one chance in life” mantra. We get as many chances as we allow ourselves. Twice Upon a Time is about reclaiming your story, stepping back into your purpose or passion, but on your own terms.”
During the years of forced silence, how did you keep the flame of creativity alive?
“I didn’t feel silenced so much as removed distanced from the rhythm I’d grown used to. Choosing to own and share my story became one of the most productive things I did during that time. I stayed committed to expression, even if the medium had changed, and I kept creating in the invisible hours the non-performative ones. Sometimes, survival isn’t about reinvention or resilience. It’s just about doing the most basic thing for yourself in the midst of chaos. For me, that was continuing to create.”
What impact did the period when you couldn’t use your own name have on your creative process?
“It brought me back to the basics to the nostalgic, pre-bridal chapters. Without the scaffolding of a brand, I had to ask myself, “Who am I when no one’s watching?” That recalibration made me design more from instinct, less from expectation. It helped me understand myself better to identify with the witness, not the wound.”
Your comeback was highly anticipated and celebrated…
what was the feeling of this grand return?
“Like stepping into the sunlight warm and energized. It was equal parts relief and deep gratitude. To be welcomed back reminded me that fashion isn’t just fabric. It’s connection.”
If you could send a message to “Hayley in 2011,” when you signed your first contract, what would you say to her today?
“Contracts are for clarity not conflict. Always make sure the music and artistry match the paperwork match.”
What have you learned about identity, independence, and yourself throughout this journey?
“That identity is like patchwork stitched, unstitched, and stitched again. Independence can feel lonely at times, but it’s where the most learning happens. And as for myself? I’ve learned that whimsy isn’t frivolous, it’s fuel. Anyone telling you to tone it down probably has an agenda… and their agenda is none of your business.”
If you could dream without limits: how do you envision the Hayley Paige brand 10 years from now?
“That’s a beautifully loaded question one I could easily run amok with. But to generalize: I envision a larger constellation of creativity and connection. I’m always open to exploring new categories and thoughtful pivots, but I believe meaningful growth comes from lived experience and discipline. I want the brand to be fueled by enthusiasm, curiosity, and integrity a reminder that life isn’t a spectator sport, and whimsy is worth holding onto.”
Is there any dream connected to wedding destinations that you would love to explore through your creations?
“I just began my trunk show tour and am answering these questions from the UK! The way a gown takes on different personalities depending on the destination is something I cherish. It allows me to see the craft from a fresh perspective and fall in love with it all over again.”
To the designers who see you as an example, what message would you like to share?
“Craft over clicks. It’s easy to measure artistry with the wrong ruler. I’ve come to realize it’s the relationships you build and the language you develop that matter most. So: hold onto your whimsy in the wicked, and hold onto your hat in the highs.”
What wish would you like to leave for the brides who choose Portugal as their wedding destination?
“May your vows echo with fado music, your train catch the golden Lisbon light, and your love story feel as timeless as the azulejos.”
And if one day Portugal invited you to present your collection or create a bridal editorial here… could we dream of seeing you create magic in Portugal as well?
“Without hesitation. I’d love nothing more than to see lace and light collide against the cliffs of Sintra or the shores of the Algarve. Portugal already feels like a fairytale set, why not add gowns to the story?”