Meet The Team: Jan
Jan is the head seamstress, sample machinist, and award-winning couture wedding dressmaker at Euphorie Studios. She's been at Keoula's side since day one, back in 1999. Jan's expertise, technical knowledge, and immense skill as a seamstress have been vital factors in the growth of Euphorie Studios over the years, so I wanted to sit down and pick Jan's brain on all things related to working at Euphorie.
Where did you get your start as a seamstress?
I grew up in Thailand and was taught to sew as a teenager. Shortly after that, I moved to Brisbane and found a job, initially working for Keoula's mother and then later for Keoula. I've always been a seamstress, it was one of those occupations where I got lucky and tried it as my first job, and it just clicked. I love what I do and wouldn't want any other career!
After all these years, what keeps you in the bridal industry?
Dressmaking is something I'm passionate about. Growing up, it was a necessary skill for every young girl to learn, but throughout my teenage years and all of the years that followed, it became a profession I enjoy daily. A lot of us at Euphorie have a shared love of quality garment construction, especially the tiny details that go into becoming a part of the bigger picture. I don't mean this in a bragging way, but I take pride in being good at what I do, and I love making gowns that women fall in love with.
I've been working with Keoula for 23 years, and I can't think of two days that were the same. Every day is a new project or tweaking an existing project into something new. Over the years, we've developed ranges of bridal and formal dresses for Keoula's brands, other stores and boutiques in Brisbane, and other garments in manufacturing.
Do you have a favorite gown or collection you've been part of?
There are far too many to name, but one of my most passionate projects was the Once Labeled collection we launched in 2022. We created plus-size formal dresses intentionally for girls sizes 12-40. I know girls & young women struggle to find dresses if they don't fit within a specific size range, so that was a passion project for everyone, including me.
As much as I love fashion, the industry itself can be a toxic place when it comes to things like size inclusivity, and it breaks my heart hearing some of the stories we hear about women's experiences with wedding stores if their body isn't a perfect size 4, 6 or 8. With projects like the Once Labeled gowns, or the idea of doing custom so we can ensure everyone gets a perfect fit on their dress, regardless of their own unique body, it's something I believe in, and I’m passionate about, so that would be my favourite thing from us.