Biography

At the age of fifteen, Diane announced to family and friends that fashion design may well be her chosen vocation, a suggestion made by her textiles teacher. At a time when the world was focused upon careers in IT, and when it was far more acceptable to be academic rather than creative. It was hoped by Diane persuing her education, completing her HSC, that she may move away from this far fetched notion.

However talent and a fine blend of perseverance and determination, Diane’s character trademarks, made Diane a successful candidate for Dress Design Studio at East Sydney Tech. It was like a Hollywood dream back then. “My friend were at schoolies and I was sweeping factory floors of clothing designers. I wanted to learn as much as I could”. Lewis found out early days it was far from glamorous, but she was passionate about fashion.

A brief history

By the time Diane was 23, she had become the head designer of Australia’s most prominent swimwear company and was not only managing designs, but staff and production of the company. “When I think about the responsibility I had been given, I can’t believe it” says Di. ‘It was the late eighties, things were excessive and fashion was over the top”.

Beyond her years and after five years of designing swimwear, Diane had made the decision to move towards creating eveningwear. With girlfriends getting married and inspired with opulence and drama.. Diane was working commercially during the day and creating fabulous wedding gowns at night. In 1991 the natural progression was to create her own business. Encouraged to manufacture evening wear, Diane was supplying Myers however political changes to importation tariffs forced Diane in 1993 to reassess the viability of clothing manufacturing. So by 1993, Diane decided to start making couture style bridal gowns, specializing in coloured frocks from her Surry Hills studio. It was a time in the bridal industry when silk was out, fluorescent polyester was in, and if it wasn’t ready-to-wear, your gown was made by a backyard dressmaker.

As Diane continued to be a groundbreaker she moved her business to Parramatta Road in Petersham to the opposition of many in the bridal industry. “Some said it wouldn’t work” laughs Diane. As the first bridal shop on the strip, today Leichhardt is a bridal hub. Initially inspired by period costume, Diane incorporates a corset into every gown she makes to “streamline the body and on a good day we can trim the waist by one size at least, my clients love it” Diane smiles. Now situated in Norton St in Leichhardt, Diane is a person who has travelled light years from her small beginnings making evening gowns in her bedroom when she was 15 years old.

Passion and dedication to her craft is a quality you will experiencve at Diane Lewis Couture. Diane will focus on the detail of your gown and is genuinely interested in every client’s wedding that she undertakes. Be it a Diane Lewis gown or one of accessories, Diane knows one thing, “its about the journey not just the destination”.