A BRIDALWEAR designer from Taunton decided to move back to her roots during lockdown - and has recently set up shop in Ilminster.
Kate Walker has been designing gowns for more than 20 years.
She started her career at Sassi Holford in Taunton, where she worked for 10 years. And then set up her own Bridal Boutique in Honiton, Devon.
Kate worked on her own in Honiton and focussed mainly on designing and making her own bridalwear under the ‘Kate Walker’ label.
She also offers two ‘ready to wear’ collections, so she can offer different style signatures.
“My own ‘Kate Walker Signature Collection’ is designed, cut and made in Somerset and I am extremely proud of this,” Ms Walker added.
“Over the 10 years spent in Honiton I delivered over 700 dresses to my beautiful brides who came from far and wide - some as far as France and Spain.”
Once the pandemic hit last year, Kate decided she wanted to work closer to home, and that she needed more workroom space.
And so she found Jordan’s Courtyard, just outside Ilminster.
This is a conversion of a dairy farm that now includes a wellness centre with a yoga and pilates barn, a cafe and other retail outlets.
“The barns were all in use but the historical and rather majestic farmhouse was available and so it became mine,” Kate added.
“The owners, Jeff and Jackie Speke, kindly renovated the ground floor of the farmhouse for me and it is absolutely spectacular. It is grand with original wood panelled rooms and Hamstone Mullion Windows yet calm and inviting.
“ I am unbelievably excited about the space I have created, it’s luxurious, exclusive and private.
“As I moved my business in November/December unfortunately I have not been able to actually open my doors to welcome my brides in due to the enforced lockdown. However, I have a diary full of brides waiting for consultations and fittings and I just can’t wait to open up and get my hands on them.
“There is so much happening at Jordan’s Courtyard too with a new Kitchen/Homeware store, a lifestyle store and a small garden centre/growers nursery in the walled garden coming soon. With Alice Temperley and Ben Russell having opened in Ilminster recently, it seems it is fast becoming the place to be.”
Kate has won Best Bridal Retailer/Designer Southwest from The Southwest Wedding Awards and The Wedding Industry Awards.
To find out more visit www.katewalkerbridal.co.uk
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