Bridal Fashion Designer, Auckland, NZ
Please introduce yourself and describe your career. What do you do for a living?
I’m Trish Peng, a bridal designer from New Zealand. I design wedding dresses for brides worldwide, with a focus on timeless, elegant, and modern designs. I founded my brand at 21 and now have 50 international stockists, a flagship boutique in Auckland. My work revolves around making brides feel incredible on their special day.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’ve always been creative and knew I wanted to be a designer at the age of 7. I would sketch dresses and make clothes for my Barbie dolls. I loved fashion and knew early on that I wanted to build a career in it.
What did you study? How much schooling do you think is required to get into your role? What could you have skipped?
I studied fashion design at Whitecliffe in New Zealand, and it gave me a great foundation. While formal education helped, I don’t think it’s required to enter the industry - experience is just as valuable. Learning through internships, hands-on work, and running a business taught me way more than any classroom could. If I could have skipped anything, it would be the technical theory that I ended up learning faster through real-world experience.
Was your path hard or smooth getting to where you are in your career? (Can you briefly describe what it was like on your journey so far?)
It definitely wasn’t smooth! Starting out as a young designer in New Zealand, I had to build my brand from the ground up. I started custom designing for clients, reinvested every dollar into growing the business, and took risks - like launching at New York Bridal Week. There have been challenges, from cash flow struggles to managing international growth, but every hurdle has shaped where I am today.
Walk us through your typical workday - when do you start, end, and do all day? (Where do you work from?)
Every day is different, which I love! I usually start around 8 AM, checking emails and touching base with my team. Mornings often involve fittings with brides, designing new collections, or working on production. Afternoons are usually meetings with marketing planning, or social media content. I split my time between my boutique, our workroom, and traveling for international bridal markets.
I used to be able to clock off when I got home, but now that I have a growing international team across different time zones, I’m in touch with them from 6 AM and then again till 11 PM when I go to sleep. It’s a lot, but it comes with the territory of running a global business!
What are some questions someone should really ask themselves if they want to get into your industry/career path?
Do I love bridal fashion, or do I just like the idea of it?
Am I willing to put in years of hard work before seeing big results?
Can I handle the emotional side of working with brides?
Do I have a mix of creativity and business sense, or am I willing to learn both?
Am I comfortable with uncertainty, especially in an industry that changes so much?
What do you enjoy most about your career? (What do you enjoy least?)
I love seeing a bride’s reaction when she finds the dress. It’s such a special, emotional moment, and being a part of that is incredibly rewarding.
What I enjoy least? Probably the operational side - chasing payments, dealing with supply chain issues, and the stress of running a business. The creative part is what I love most!
What tools/resources do you frequently use? (Books, podcasts, mentors, wellness habits, software, etc.)
Tools & Software: Lightspeed for Point of Sale, B2B wave for Wholesale orders, Xero for accounting, Instagram & tiktok for marketing.
Resources: I love listening to business podcasts like The Lazy Ceo & Ladies who launched for inspiration.
Wellness habits: I try to make time for F45, Netball, Pilates, travel, and spending time with my husband, Tim, to balance work and life.
What is something you do when things get difficult? How do you handle stress/challenges?
I take a step back and remind myself why I started. When things feel overwhelming, I focus on solutions instead of the problem. Also, taking a break - even a short walk - helps clear my head. Surrounding myself with a strong support system, like my team, friends, and family, is key.
What advice would you give to someone who is trying to figure out what they want to do (for work) in general?
Try different things and don’t be afraid to start small. You don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Pay attention to what excites you, and if you’re drawn to something, explore it deeper. Also, don’t overthink it - just start. You learn by doing!
Do you have any mentors or key pieces of career advice that helped you get to where you are today?
I don’t have any mentors but I like to get advice from my friends who are experts in their field. One of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is: “Stay in your lane and focus on your own journey.” It’s easy to compare yourself to others, but your path is yours. Also, I’ve learned that relationships are everything - whether it’s with your customers, suppliers, or industry peers.
What excites you about the future OR what's up next for you in the near future?
I’m really excited about New York Bridal Week and Barcelona Bridal Week in April - it’s a big opportunity to showcase my latest collection to international buyers. I’m also exploring expansion into new market, with the focus of Europe this year. Personally, I’m looking forward to more travel and balancing life and work in a way that keeps me inspired.
Where can readers find/connect with you if they have questions? OR How can we support you?
You can find me on Instagram @trishpeng or visit my website www.trishpeng.com. Follow along for behind-the-scenes content, new collections, and exciting things happening!