A Welcome Return: Andrea Gorrie Bridal Couture

27/10/2026

Four decades of fashion experience, a love of beautiful fabrics and a return to a familiar address on High Street Armadale.

For bridal couturier Andrea Gorrie, returning to High Street Armadale feels very much like coming home.

With approximately 40 years of experience in fashion and design, Andrea has reopened her private couture studio at Suite 1, 970 High Street, the very same space she occupied before COVID.

And the circumstances behind her return are rather special.

“My son is getting married this year, and I’m making the gown for my future daughter-in-law. A close friend’s daughter is also getting married, so I began looking for a suitable space to work on both gowns.”

When Andrea first enquired about studio space in Kings Arcade, her former studio wasn’t available. But shortly afterwards, the space became available again. It was the very same studio she had occupied before COVID, and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

A Lifetime in Fashion

Andrea’s love of sewing began in childhood, watching her mother make clothes and experimenting with designs of her own.

After initially studying art and design, she went on to study fashion at RMIT, spending 18 years with an established Australian fashion brand before moving into consulting, millinery and eventually couture bridal design.

Today, every gown is personally designed and made by Andrea, from the initial consultation and fabric selection through to individual patterns, fittings and final construction.

She has a particular love of natural fibres, especially silk and beautiful French laces.

“I often think of handling them as though they were cobwebs,” she says of the delicate fabrics she works with.

For Andrea, bespoke couture is about much more than creating a beautiful gown. It’s about understanding the individual, achieving the perfect fit and involving each bride in the design process.

She generally recommends allowing 9–12 months for a gown, although shorter timeframes are possible.

A Long Connection to High Street

Andrea’s affection for Armadale goes back to her university days.

“Sundays often began at Camberwell Market, followed by chocolate layer cake at Kings Arcade and an afternoon exploring the antique markets that once occupied High Street.”

She first established her couture business in Oakleigh before moving to an upstairs studio in Kings Arcade, later relocating to 970 High Street.

After closing during COVID, Andrea reopened in June 2026, bringing her craftsmanship and experience back to the precinct she knows so well.

“I’ve always felt a connection to the area. There’s a sense of belonging, both for me and for my business.”

The Personal Touch

After four decades in fashion, Andrea has witnessed enormous changes in bridal design, particularly the extraordinary choice now available to brides.

But one thing remains constant: the importance of trust between designer and client.

“What stays with me most are the moments when a client places their trust in me. There’s often a point in the process when that trust develops, and you can feel it.”

It’s that personal connection, combined with exceptional craftsmanship, that continues to define Andrea’s approach to bridal couture.

And we’re delighted to welcome her back to High Street Armadale.