Rue De Seine
Michele Corty
Rue De Seine Founder & Designer.
Instagram: @ruedeseinebridal
BC: You started off as a ready to wear designer in Paris, what prompted the life-changing move to creating Rue De Seine?
MC: I loved working in ready to wear, but after making my wedding gown, I knew it was the next step in my career. I instantly felt inspired by the fabrics and loved being able to create a gown reflecting my personal style. The dress was romantic, bold, and I was able to dance all night. I was comfortable, but also felt so special. I want our brides to feel the same way I did that day. I hope that I can bring a more relaxed, yet fashion-forward approach to bridal. Our girls are looking for a gown that fits their unique style.
BC: I love the name, no doubt influenced by your time in France?
MC: This was the street I lived on and where I married the love of my life. The neighborhood still portrays that effortless bohemian style that is the inspiration behind the brand.
BC: Who is the quintessential Rue De Seine bride?
MC: The Rue De Seine bride dances to the beat of her own drum. She is looking for something unique, flattering, and super romantic. When I take the collection on the road, our brides and I are so happy to have found each other.
BC: I love that your gowns are incredibly beautiful, intricate and stylish with divine fabric but that they are also very wearable. Is this something that was important to you from the beginning?
MC: Thank you! And yes! RUE brides want to be unique and we try to offer them a totally different product, made with high standards, exclusive fabrics, and completely wearable.
Fabric is where we start every season and is the heart of every dress. We are so proud to design this in house and offer our brides fabrics and gowns as unique as they are.
BC: Where did the inspiration for the effortless bohemian style of Rue De Seine originate?
MC: The effortless street style of Paris will always be present in my work, but I love how it has fused with my life in New Zealand, creating a hybrid of bohemian style that feels right.
BC: Who is your ultimate muse?
MC: Bianca Jagger has always been my wedding muse. I would never change her iconic Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo jacket, but I would love to have dressed her for the reception in one of our custom prints, reflecting her bohemian glam side.
“The effortless street style of Paris will always be present in my work, but I love how it has fused with my life in New Zealand.”
BC: Rue De Seine was established in 2012, you must have seen quite a shift in bridal style since that time.
MC: Yes! Since we started, I have had brides married at Burning Man, under Moroccan tents, and even on glaciers. The Rue De Seine bride never ceases to amaze me with their originality. I feel that couples want to have more fun and I try to channel our bride’s free spirit for every collection.
BC: Every new collection is insanely gorgeous, where do you find the inspiration?
MC: Travel has always been my main source of inspiration and I want to share what I have experienced and seen through my work. The beautiful mix of cultures, architecture, and people will always be woven into the heart of every collection. The beauty of this world never ceases to amaze me.
BC: Your campaigns are always EPIC… from the gowns and accessories to the incredible locations. It's a mammoth undertaking, how do you do it?
MC: Thank you! I work with a super team of creatives that push every boundary. Our Moonrise Canyon campaign was over 3 days of gruelling call times and torrential wind storms. We were all so happy and ready for every challenge! Creation is worth it and I am so lucky to be with a team that shares my vision and drive!
BC: Speaking of campaigns, do you think the Rue De Seine bride is inspired to recreate the beautiful imagery?
MC: I am floored by what our brides come up with for their wedding day. Their creativity and styling continues to push boundaries so I continue to push myself. I often ask myself if we were tagged in an editorial or a real wedding. We love you RUE brides!
BC: Let's talk hair and makeup. Your models rock the effortless style… windswept waves and smudged in makeup… is this your own personal style?
MC: Yes! When I can. I am a woman on the go, so manageable makeup and hair is key. Even on my wedding day, I freaked out, cancelled my hair appointment, and went for loose natural waves and a smudged eye. How did you know? :)
“The woman you are is the woman everyone loves and wants to see enjoy her wedding day.”
BC: What’s your go-to day time makeup look?
MC: I usually play it very natural, with a good base to even out my skin tone, bronzer, and a brassy eye shadow to pop my eyes (They are blue).
BC: What about an evening out?
MC: Same routine, but I add a metallic eyeliner in bronze from Urban Decay.
BC: Are you a lips, eyes or skin kinda gal?
MC: Eyes. I drink too much coffee to be lipped focused and love how easily you can amp up your look with a bit of mascara or liner.
BC: How do you keep your skin so flawless, genes or good skincare?
MC: What!? Thank you for saying flawless. I would have to say genes as my skincare routine is irregular and often neglected after a long day on set or in the studio.
BC: Looking after your skin can be a pricey affair, do you have any ‘save’ products you swear by?
MC: Last year I traveled so much that my skin hurt. Aesop’s Elemental Barrier cream was my saviour and my go-to during New Zealand winter months.
BC: Any splurge products that you can’t live without?
MC: I am currently obsessing over a range in the US called Vitamin CBE ferric serum from Dr. Lara Devgari. As a result of soaking up the sun most of my life, hyperpigmentation and brown spots are popping up more than ever. This product is amazing for an evening out skin tone and smoothing out some of those fine lines too.
BC: What’s the best beauty advice for all those brides out there?
MC: Stay true to yourself. The woman you are is the woman everyone loves and wants to see enjoy her wedding day. Hair will frizz and makeup might smudge, just have fun and be you.
BC: What’s next for Michelle and Rue De Seine?
MC: We are so excited to be launching our latest collection Golden Rhapsody at the end of August. This collection is truly so special and represents the journey our brides have been on, their individuality, and the heart that ties us together. We can’t wait to see brides rock this diverse collection of gowns made from exclusive Rue De Seine fabrics and bold new shapes.
BC: Thanks so much for chatting with us, cant wait to see the new collection.
MC: Thank you for having me
Photography By: @madlystudio