Jerry Hall drawling “Velaaaani” at The Fashion Industry Awards in 1995 is still one of Sydney couturiers Nicky Apostolopoulos’s fondest memories….
“It was a massive jump start for me,” says Nicky, a bridal design veteran with over 30 years’ experience – by the time Nicky had crossed paths with the iconic Texan model, she’d already been in business for over five years.
Not that the sought-after designer has a lot of time to reminisce, with a hectic gown designing and creation schedule which includes making magic for wedding dresses (from bride to bridal party to mother of the bride), grand entrance worthy evening wear, red carpet showstoppers, divine christening gowns for mini customers, and a notable list of celebrity clients which include Kate Ritchie, Delta Goodrem, Ada Nicodemou, Miranda Tapsell, Sophie Monk, Samantha Jade, Amanda Keller, Natalie Barr, Lisa Wilkinson, Urzila Carlson, Julia Morris,and more wanting to wear her couture designs to high-profile events.
Nicky Apostolopoulos
DESIGNER
Nicky’s designs have been dominating Australian red carpets for years now
Her designs are a stylist and celebrity favourite at the Logie Awards, Dally M Awards, Brownlow Awards, and her fuchsia pink ruffle-laden gown was worn by Belinda Bromilow at the 2019 Oscars, where it stood out in a sea of gowns considered a holy grail of red carpets.
Belinda Bromilow
OSCARS
Nicky’s intimately decadent atelier in the inner west suburb of Five Dock is a hive of creativity and activity
Clients can lounge luxuriously on the brocade sofa conjuring up their dream dresses with Nicky, while upstairs a team of seamstresses are hard at work making floaty, fitted, and gasp worthy gown dreams come true.
Nicky is fiercely proud of her talented team, though she’s in the sewing ‘engine room’ with them, ensuring she is part of the process when it comes to the finer details.
Nicky is as invested in each gown bearing the Velani swing tag as the woman, young lady, or baby wearing it, getting heavily involved in all her gowns, from consultation to design and sewing.
“This way, what I’ve discussed with the client is perfectly expressed in the workmanship and the vision comes to life exactly as expected. Actually, better! “
“I wouldn’t put a client in a gown
that I wouldn’t want to wear myself”
Nicky also believes firmly in quality control.
Brides understand the Velani ethos of perfection and attention to detail, and they come from near and far, all enticed by the trademark Velani design and finish, whether the gown is laden with Swarovski beading, or French lace from the Solstiss mill.
It’s no surprise then that brides who arrive at Nicky’s studio have often been referred, such is her high referral rate, and she sees every single bride as special. “Whether a bride is getting married in an intimate wedding, or all eyes are on her in a large celebration, every woman who arrives at Velani comes with one singular expectation: a head turning, forever remembered gown.
