You know that feeling when your favorite song comes back on the radio after being off the airwaves forever? That’s exactly the energy we’re channeling right now because Hayley Paige is officially back, and we literally cannot contain our excitement!
After a legal battle that had us all holding our breath (and our designer dreams), the bridal world’s beloved creative force has reclaimed her name, and she’s coming back swinging with a collection that’s giving us all the feels. Her debut “Twice Upon a Time” collection launches this weekend, and it’s serving up everything we didn’t know we needed: ombré tulle that looks like a sunset had a baby with a fairy tale, architectural details that would make even the most minimalist bride swoon, and that signature Hayley magic we’ve been desperately missing.
We caught up with the designer herself to talk comebacks, creative freedom, and why she’s ready to shake up some tired bridal “rules” (we’re looking at you, “dress for your body type” nonsense). Plus, we’re giving you an exclusive first look at some absolutely swoon-worthy gowns that prove sometimes the best things really are worth the wait.
Grab your favorite beverage and settle in — this conversation is about to become your new obsession.
Green Wedding Shoes: Let’s start with the inspo. What inspired this new collection? Did reclaiming your name and creative freedom spark any fresh ideas or themes in your designs?
Hayley Paige: Getting everything back after believing it was impossible comes with this incredible mix of surprise and wishful thinking finally coming true. I’ve always loved my craft, but going through all of that gave me a deeper sense of gratitude — and a fiercer determination — to get here. I titled the debut collection “Twice Upon a Time” because we’re so often sold the idea that you only get one shot. That your entire future depends on one opportunity. And I just don’t believe that. Life isn’t black and white — it’s messy, interwoven, unpredictable. But when you stop letting circumstances drive and start making choices for yourself, you begin to see how much optionality and abundance there really is. There is always a way. Or another way.
That idea also mirrors what I love about love stories — no two are ever the same. Always evolving, always full of wonder.
And in my design work, I’ve leaned into that same duality — airy and architectural, nostalgic and defiant — because that’s what this chapter has felt like for me: soft and strong at the same time.
GWS: You’ve said getting your name back felt like “a whole sundae of a celebration.” How did that emotional journey influence your creative process? Do you feel that triumph woven into these gowns?
Hayley Paige: I was especially excited to dive back into my favorite kind of work — this industry asks a lot of you in terms of skill, taste, and presence, and I’ve always found that really inspiring. I’ve always thought of myself as both a student and a professional: someone who’s still learning but who knows when to trust her instincts. Even through everything, my craft stayed with me — and there’s something really reassuring about knowing you can always pick it back up when the chance comes along.
You can see that sentiment woven into the collection in little ways: quiet ‘victory’ details, bold textures, and a newfound freedom to play more audaciously with proportion and color. The whole collection feels celebratory, but with a wink — because as much as this is a comeback, it’s also a reminder not to take yourself too seriously. Anything can happen, and nothing stays the same forever.
GWS: How have you evolved as a designer since your last collection? How does this one reflect your growth, personally and style-wise?
Hayley Paige: Well, I’ve definitely developed a thicker skin — and I’m much more comfortable with the word no. I’ve learned not to waste energy on people who are committed to misunderstanding me, and to let go of the urge to respond to everything. That comes with age, and with knowing and respecting yourself a little better.
I’ve also gained a deeper appreciation for restraint, precision, and the power of being unbothered. Not everything needs a reaction — in life or in design. Sometimes a concept just isn’t working, and instead of forcing it, you scrap it and start fresh.
Before, I think I designed to impress — more volume, more drama, more everything. Now I design to express. Every seam, every embellishment has to earn its place. And I’ve learned to listen more closely — to my brides, to my team, and most importantly, to my gut.
GWS: Were there any celeb weddings, pop culture moments, or even music trends that helped spark your imagination for this line?
Hayley Paige: Not so much any one person or trend — though I will say, the unapologetic brilliance of artists like Billie Eilish is really energizing. What inspires me isn’t about mimicking a look but capturing a mindset: embracing all your contradictions and making them feel intentional and beautiful.
It’s also — maybe too — easy these days to fake it or just recycle what everyone else is doing. With so much being thrown at you every day, so many highlight reels, it’s tempting to feel persuaded to do more, to do things the way others are doing them. But you really have to train yourself to know who you are and what makes sense for you.
If you try too hard for likes and followers, you start trading integrity for exposure, and your craft becomes secondary. I don’t want that. I want to stay grounded in how I communicate — and remind myself that not everything deserves a response or participation. You have to be selective and make sure your decisions actually move you closer to the person and designer you want to be.
GWS: This is such a big moment!!!! What do you think sets this comeback collection apart from anything you’ve created before?
Hayley Paige: I’ve been through a bit of a transformation, yet I still very much feel like me. I suppose this collection feels different because the new variables — and my new tolerance for what comes my way — have changed the meaning behind it all. It feels more personal now, less performative.
After being forced to step away from my craft for so long, and now being allowed to practice it again, it almost feels like an artistic version of that saying: “If you let it go and it comes back, it’s yours forever.”
GWS: Without giving too much away (we love a little mystery), can you tease a fun detail or story from the new collection? Maybe a gown name, an unexpected texture, or a meaningful design element?
Hayley Paige: I truly couldn’t think of a better platform to share a sneak peek of After the Storm — an ombré, tiered tulle ballgown that feels like a colorful love letter to reinvention. It’s for anyone who’s had to stand in the rain, waiting for their bow. It’s equal parts wistful and defiant, and to me it sums up this whole chapter: worth the discomforts and the wait.
GWS: Was there a dress or design that totally surprised you — one that evolved into something unexpected and fabulous?
Hayley Paige: This season, I decided to design a few gowns directly with the bride in mind. I launched an Instagram campaign inviting three unique brides to create their dream dress from scratch. While I’ve always been a collection-based designer, so much of my inspiration comes from the brides I meet at trunk shows — this felt like a natural way to make the collection more collaborative and honor the very muses who inspire me.
It’s been a labor of love — custom work requires an incredible investment of time, with patterns and prints developed entirely from scratch — but the payoff has been worth it. One gown in particular delighted me because it pushed me outside my usual aesthetic… and she turned out to be one of the most striking dresses I’ve ever made.
What made it even more special was inviting all three brides to see their gowns for the very first time — live on the runway.
GWS: And last one! What bridal trends are you totally loving right now, and are there any you’re ready to shake up or send off into the sunset?
Hayley Paige: I’m loving the shift toward color, storytelling textures, and personalization — anything that truly reflects who the bride is. What I’d happily retire? The tired notion that brides have to “dress for their body type.” These gowns are meant to fit you, not the other way around. That whole concept really puts a bee in my bonnet.
And I’d be remiss not to mention the basque waist making a comeback — with a certain cool-girl sass and vengeance. (I say this lightheartedly, but I partly blame Alex Cooper!) While I appreciate a beautifully executed baby Basque, that strong V-shape at the lower abdomen can lengthen your torso and shorten the legs. This can sometimes come off a bit Victorian princess. It’s one of those things you absolutely need to try for yourself and see what speaks to you.
Ultimately? If you love it, go for it — just don’t feel pressured to make it work for you just because it’s trending right now. Trends should complement your story, not dictate it.
We’re honestly still not over this conversation (or these gorgeous gowns), and we have a feeling you’re going to be just as obsessed as we are. There’s something so refreshing about a designer who’s not afraid to call out tired trends while creating absolute magic, and Hayley’s “After the Storm” ombré ballgown is proof that sometimes the most beautiful things come after weathering a few storms.
Speaking of that rainbow dream dress, we couldn’t resist capturing all that tiered tulle goodness in motion, so definitely check out our Instagram for a behind-the-scenes reel that’ll have you booking your dress appointment ASAP. Trust us, seeing this gown move is pure poetry, and we may have watched it approximately 47 times already (no shame in our game).
The “Twice Upon a Time” collection officially launches this weekend, and something tells us these gowns are going to fly off the racks faster than we can say “I do.” Consider this your PSA to start planning that bridal appointment because if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that Hayley Paige’s comeback collection is about to make a whole lot of brides very, very happy.
