Photo // Michelle Nash 

Emily Dawson is our hostess with the mostest who welcomed us to Dallas last fall for our first Happy Isles x Dallas Pop-up. Some of you might have met her as she was offering fabulous styling advice to our brides-to-be - and some of you lucky ladies will be meeting her soon when we return to Dallas in February. So it's only fitting that we kick off Texas Week by getting to know a little more about our Dallas go-to gal... 💛

Emily! How exciting that we get to pick your brain for our series, Ladies of Leisure!

Tell me, who are some of your favorite ladies?

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy… more on her later. Georgia O’Keefe. Sofia Coppola. Pamola Elsesser. Sienna Miller. Amy Smilovic. Danielle Goldberg. Samira Nasir.

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and John F Kennedy Jr. - 1997 // Getty Images

Alrighty, we’ve got some xtremeley important Qs! The brides better be listing up. Thank you so much for taking a moment to give us all the deets.

First things first, where do you currently reside?

I am in Dallas! 

You are a bridal stylist! For our stylist-curious brides out there, can you explain what it means to work with a stylist and a bit about what you do for your brides?

Emily by Design is the name of my styling business. I am the eyes and ears for my brides. I am passionate about my clients looking and feeling unique for their wedding weekend.

"If I show something to my bride and they feel it’s expected, I’ve let myself down."

I don’t reference ‘Bridal Edits,’ and basically, if it feels inherently bridal, I look right past it. If I show something to my bride and they feel it’s expected, I’ve let myself down. I don’t see the point in hiring a bridal stylist if that’s the case.

My styling philosophy begins and ends with vintage. With all of my clients, my goal is to bridge the past and present through intentional wardrobe choices, finding things they can wear again after this season of their lives has passed. While not everything I do is vintage–I pull new retail pieces, work with designers to create custom looks for my clients, etc.–I will always push to get at least one vintage element into a bridal look. I feel that’s how my brides stand out.

Emily at our Happy Isles x Dallas Launch Party last fall // Brooke Taelor

What bridal looks have you recently worked on that you feel super proud of?

I have a client coming up in February and her looks are some of my favorites I’ve ever worked on. She’s getting married in Palm Springs and the weekend is heavily inspired by the vision that Slim Aarons created for us.

I sourced a 1971 hand-painted Halston caftan from Etéreo Vintage for her Sunday brunch, which is truly a piece of art. I’m so grateful to Zabrina for existing! For her welcome party, which happens to be on Valentine’s Day, we’re working with One/Of to create a 60’s inspired custom gown–it’s an homage to Priscilla Presley’s wedding, down to the bouffant hair! 

Hand painted Halston Caftan - Currently Available at HI LA. Inquire Here.

One of my favorite looks from last year was for my client's sister and maid of honor. I was able to track down one of the most beautiful dresses I’ve ever seen, look 28 from Max Mara SS24. Only 6 of these dresses were produced for the US market, and I made it my mission from January to April of last year to find one. I was able to work with the Max Mara team in New York, and we got it done. Me, the bride, and the sis were over the moon! 

Max Mara Spring 2024 Gown in action // Stefano Santucci

Finally, a forever favorite will be my client Heather in a 1920s no-label steel blue silk gown. She wore it to her wedding in Provence, and it was just perfect. Fit like a glove. No alterations. Styling magic.

No alterations. A dream come true.  // Benjamin Wheeler

What are some common misconceptions about working with a bridal stylist?

People might think that you have to have to be a r/BigBudgetBride. I don’t cut corners on quality and design, but because my focus is on vintage and sustainability in all forms, I’m always sourcing second-hand pieces, scouring estate sales and consignment stores. This oftentimes allows me to find pieces that are a fraction of the price of new retail.

A look that is fully brand new is not what I’m going for! 

Who are your favorite designers, past and present? Who are your style icons?

Margiela. Dries Van Noten. Prada. Issey Miyake. Yohji Yamamoto. Jil Sander. The Row. Amy Smilovic (Tibi). Camille Perry and Holly Wright (Tove).

The Olsens. CBK. Sienna Miller–a lot of the same from my favorite women list. Diane Keaton. Young Julia Roberts. I love Laura Reilly’s style. Oh, there’s also this older woman who walks around my neighborhood all the time… She wears different neutral color combinations of a plain, soft t-shirt and loose cotton pants, like a culotte, with Hokas every day, and there’s just something about it that works.  

Styling inspo from Julia Roberts - 1989 // Getty Images

What bridal look do you feel has been played out a bit? What do you think is a fresh take on it for a bride who maybe still loves the trend but doesn’t want to look like everybody else?

Pearl choker. I wore one to my wedding, but I’m telling myself it’s different because it was the same one my mother-in-law wore in their family portrait when my husband was an infant.

If it’s authentic and you're wearing it because there is meaning behind it, it’s different. If you find a costume version and you’re wearing it because you think you’ll be on trend, it’s a no from me.

What are we doing for fun these days?

I’m a very tactile, crafty person. I used to work at a magazine as a graphic designer, and that experience only deepened my already existing love for printed materials and ephemera. I love to make collages, create mixed media visuals, and just generally make things with my hands.

Lately, I’ve been searching for my favorite designers on eBay to find old coffee table books, design books, anniversary publications, etc. I’m always trying to learn more about designers that I love, as well as designers I’m not as familiar with. Plus, it’s a great way to collect visual inspiration, and as a designer, it’s a great way to study different perspectives on layout design. There are sooooo many amazing books you can find that are no longer in print. My most recent purchase was a Geoffery Beene 30-year anniversary special print.

Collage by Emily

What are we drinking?

I stopped drinking coffee on a whim at the beginning of 2023, and I haven’t had it since… I switched to matcha, and I have fully converted into a tea head. I’ve tried a handful of brands but recently have been loving Rocky’s Matcha. I started with this variety pack; they all taste the exact same - earthy and delish! My sans-caffeine tea of choice is mint, period.

"...lately, I’ve been feeling even more so that I just can’t be bothered with excess."

What are we wearing?

I have always been a practical dresser; it was drilled into me from a young age by my mother, but lately, I’ve been feeling even more so that I just can’t be bothered with excess. Excess in embellishments, frills, or colors. All I want to be wearing is unfussy, without-fail clothing. Pieces that don’t expire with the change of the fashion season.

I have honestly never been a trend follower and never wanted to dress similarly to my friends. I’ve always looked back to inform what I want to wear now.

I’ve been researching Carolyn Bessette Kennedy a lot this year, and I definitely think about her when I’m shopping or getting dressed. I’m reaching for good jeans, well-made shoes (boots, leather flats, clean sandals), button-down shirts, classic blouses (something I am so bad about buying but trying to focus on), skirts with interesting details. 

Classic Carolyn Bessette Kennedy - 1996 // Getty Images

There have been moments since I started my styling business where I thought I had to dress loudly or call attention to myself through accessories or ways of styling in order to try and fit into the ‘fashion thing.’

I look back on those photos and feel slightly embarrassed because it’s so clear to me that I was putting on for other people instead of dressing in the way that is ingrained in me. I’ve regained the understanding that was there all along–I like simple clothes rooted in vintage, with a touch of the unexpected. Vintage is the core of my wardrobe–that hasn’t wavered. 

What’s a splurge that you also consider self-care?

Facials. I get one once a month from my lord and savior esthetician. If you live in Dallas, her name is Soudabeh Pouyan. I have problem skin, and regular facials keep me sane.

Tell us about your bucket list for the upcoming year…

Attending A Current Affair! I’ve wanted to go for the last few years and haven't been able to make it happen. A visit to Japan is also on the list–likely not in the cards for this year but hopefully soon!  

How about your favorite wedding destination you’ve been to and why?

One of my best friends got married at the top of Vail Mountain this summer, and it was incredible. This year, we’re invited to weddings in Paris and San Miguel, but I don’t think we’ll be able to go, sadly! 

"I think you get one wedding day miracle, and that was it."

What’s the biggest professional fashion emergency you’ve ever experienced? And what’s something you’ve seen clients unnecessarily freak out about the most?

The zipper on my sister’s wedding dress busted down the middle because it was altered too tight. It was hooked at the top, but the entire length of the zipper was splayed open about 8 inches. A tailor from the Atlanta Neiman Marcus bridal salon was emergency dispatched, in 4 pm traffic no less, and had to sew her into the dress on site. I think you get one wedding day miracle, and that was it.

I find most people get extremely fixated on wedding shoes, whether or not they go with something fun or classic, the perfect shade of white, the toe shape, etc. At the end of the day, 9/10 dresses cover the shoes completely. You need something comfortable, and in my opinion, a shoe that straps to the foot so you don't have to worry about holding it on. 

As a Happy Isles insider, what are some of your favorite pieces you’ve seen at the salon?

A Chanel silk column dress in the perfect shade of dusty blue comes to mind. A friend I went to college with got it at our Dallas pop-up and is pairing it with a beautiful antique floral crown, also from HI, for her Santa Barbara wedding this summer.

I would wear that full look if I did my wedding over. I love a look that makes an impact by whispering. It’s simple and classic and everything it needs to be. 

What are your favorite personal Happy Isles acquisitions?!

When I hosted HI in Dallas last October, I got a very special Halston purple polka dot sheath dress with a matching neck scarf. Any frilliness this dress possesses in color or pattern, it makes up for in silhouette. If it were any other silhouette, I wouldn’t have gotten it. It would have been too feminine for my taste. I love how it just hangs on the body; that, to me, is chic! 

Emily in THE Halston shift she snagged! 

Andddd a final Q…….

🤫🤠😎Tell us a secret 🤗😇😛

My husband and I are opening a bookstore in Dallas in MAY! It’s called Bird’s Bookstore, an homage to my husband’s nickname from his mom. It’s mid-century modern inspired; there will be a coffee and tea bar and a green toilet in the bathroom 🍏

Bird’s Bookstore - Coming Soon!

 Thank you, Emily! See you in Dallas! ✨

For anyone interested in inquiring about Emily's services, you can find her at emilybydesign.co or on IG @emily_bydesign