In this interview, we speak with the founder of Isla De Gar about the inspiration behind the brand, the use of crocheted satin, and what goes into designing bridal handbags for today’s bride.
Behind the Veil: Isla De Gar Bridal Handbags
Welcome to the first of our Behind the Veil blog series, where we go behind the scenes with the bridal brands and industry partners we love.
In this series, we explore how our featured bridal designers and bridal accessories brands began their journey in the bridal industry, what inspires their collections, and what the future holds, including key bridal trends to watch in the upcoming wedding season.
Meet Isla de Gar, the leader in contemporary bridal handbags.
For our first feature we spoke with Isla De Gar a contemporary bridal accessories brand specialising in crocheted satin bridal handbags. Designed for modern brides, each handbag offers a balance of style and practicality, making them the perfect finishing touch for a wedding day look and beyond.
Each bridal handbag combines refined design with thoughtful craftsmanship, offering a soft yet structured finishing touch that complements a wide range of wedding dresses and bridal styles.
As a bridal retailer, we love featuring brands that create timeless bridal handbags made to be worn on the wedding day and beyond. In this interview, we speak with the founder of Isla de Gar about the inspiration behind the brand, the use of crocheted satin, and what goes into designing handbags for today’s bride. Continue reading to see what Emma the founder of Isla De Gar has to say...
A Founder Q&A with Isla De Gar:
1. Tell us the moment Isla De Gar was born, was it a lightbulb idea or a slow build?
I’ve always wanted to have my own handbag brand since I discovered my love for designing bags during an internship back in 2015. After being a bags designer in the industry for 4 years, I was put on furlough in 2020, and used that time to get back to experimenting with materials and designing thorough making, rather than being restricted to designing through CAD. The Hive was born, and I launched ISLA DE GAR 6 months later.
2. Every bag is signed by its maker, such a beautiful detail. What made you decide to do that?
That’s something we’ve done since the outset and something that felt obvious to us - it puts the human element behind the bag, the craftsmanship. People is a huge part of IDG from our customers to my team, they come first.
3. What are your top three favourite Bridal Brands?
One Addington
Cult Gaia
The Own Studio
4. What’s next for Isla De Gar? Anything you’re dreaming of creating that you haven’t yet?
I’m really excited about branching out into new materials - coming from a textiles background, working with my hands to design and sculpt a completely new and unique bag shape excites me so much. Our signature is chunky satin crochet, spiralling from the base up, I want to expand on this to see what forms will take shape if we play with other materials, not often found in crochet, to create something so beautiful and un-ordinary!
5. Do you have a favourite piece you’ve made and what’s the story behind it?
The Nest. I designed her in 2020, but she’s only properly take off this year, 2025, as THE go-to bridal bag in Ivory. She was completely happy accident as I was making the Hive bag, and decided to add a second piece of ribbon, and voila, the bag expanded to form a bird’s nest shape! So I popper two mini handles on her so it would look completely different to the Hive.
6. What do you want a bride to feel when she holds one of your bags for the first time?
That it’s the finishing touch she was missing. And complete obsession for how beautiful it is.
7. If you had to pick another bridal accessory to design, what would it be?
Oo I’d love to explore shoes! Think Cult Gaia vibes.
Thank you Emma for taking the time to share your story and creative journey with us! We can’t wait to see how the brand continues to evolve and inspire modern brides.
With Love,
G&G x
Discover Isla De Gar’s crocheted satin bridal handbags, thoughtfully designed for modern brides and available to shop at The Bridal House.
