Bridal Times had the chance to talk with Sabine Wüst, business mentor and owner of Brauthaus Tausendschön in Dorsten, located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
Sabina Wüst is a familiar face in the German bridal industry as the owner of Brauthaus Tausendschön in Dorsten, a coach and business mentor from the Bridal Business Coaching Team, and above all, for her expertise in advising curvy brides. Sabina tells us a little about her bridal shop, common misconceptions, and how curvy brides can confidently find the perfect dress for their wedding day.
Sabine Wüst, Owner of Brauthaus Tausendschön in Dorsten, Germany
Sabine, what inspired you to open a bridal shop and how long have you been in business?
I fulfilled my childhood dream of opening a bridal shop 9 years ago. I especially wanted to make curvy brides happy because I am a woman with curves myself.
What can “brides to be” find in your bridal shop?
We offer bridal fashion in EU sizes 36-60, but we specialize in plus sizes with all the special needs such as gastric bypass surgeries or pregnancies. In addition to bridal fashion, we also offer bridal accessories, men’s fashion, and wedding rings. We gladly make alterations in our in-house tailoring shop.
You are also specialized in working with “Curvy Brides”. What would you say is the most common misconception of a curvy bride?
Today’s curvy woman wants to be able to try on everything that slim women can wear. I am a woman with curves myself and I know the fears of curvy women. They think nothing will fit them, everything will look awful on them, and then the dress is white and that certainly makes them look bigger. That’s why it’s our job to convince them otherwise.
Would you say the gowns are very much different from the average or smaller sizes?
Unfortunately, it is not enough to simply make a dress larger. Well-made curvy bridal dresses skillfully accentuate curves and hide areas that do not want to be highlighted. Bridal dresses for curvy brides need reinforcement in the bust area, special cuts for the fit, and sophisticated details.
The industry has just returned from the main exhibition buying season this Spring. Can you tell us what features you look for when purchasing gowns for curvy brides?
Good manufacturers often have a separate curvy collection, which often starts at size 44 and offers all styles. These dresses are then specially tailored to the needs of curvy brides.
Are there any particular trends or styles you feel are quite flattering for curvy brides?
I think it’s great that all styles and trends are now available for curvy brides. However, I notice that German brides are still hesitant to try figure-hugging dresses like fit-and-flare. American brides are way ahead of us in this regard. The most flattering style remains the A-line. And especially the simple dresses made of firm fabric which skillfully showcases a curvy woman with the right cut. Also, the ruching, which is currently back in trend, does a lot for a bride with curves.
What are a few things brides should consider when purchasing their dress?
Brides should consider in advance whether they feel more comfortable “well packed” in a firm corset or if they prefer something light and flowing.
After many years in business, what would you say is the most rewarding part of your job?
In our line of work, especially with curvy brides, we often feel that they leave our shop with more self-confidence than they came in with. It brings our entire team the greatest joy to show these women how beautiful a curvy bride looks in a wedding dress, because unfortunately they still too often doubt it themselves.
We would like to thank Sabine Wüst of Brauthaus Tausendschön for this interview.