Johanna will be showcasing her Winter 2012 collection at Mrs Scoops & Little Miss G's Vintage Wedding Fayre from 11am - 4pm on Sunday, February 26 at Cruck Barn, Bradwell Abbey. Health and Beauty editor JUDY RILEY caught up with Johanna in advance of her first ever visit to Milton Keynes

How long have you been designing and making bridal gowns?

For around 10 or 12 years. There was a time when I didn't specialise though I used to design quite a lot of evening wear but friends and family kept asking if I would design their wedding dresses. In the end I took the path of least resistance and I love it now!

How would you describe your designs?

That's a really hard question to answer. People say I have a signature style but I believe my designs are much more eclectic. I do think that the silhouette is very important.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I love a modern look that has a vintage feel to it so I am influenced by styles from the past but I'll give it a contemporary twist.

What style of dress is the most popular right now?

At the end of last year there was a resurgence of interest in the 1950's look but we have started off this year with lots of enquiries about the slimmer, vintage style of the 1930's.

What colour of dress is currently the most popular?

Ivory, without a doubt. White British girls feel that their skin colour is too pale to wear pure white so we only get about half a dozen requests a year.

What’s the most common mistake that you find a girl makes when choosing her wedding dress?

It's that so many girls allow other people to make decisions for them! I want a girl who is getting married to be true to themselves; to live out the dream that they've always aspired to but never had the opportunity to realise. But also for her to know what is right for her and what she will feel happy wearing. When they walk down the aisle I want people to say 'how fabulous she looks' not "Who the hell is that?!" I have seen it happen so often that a girl will try something on and look stunning in it. Then her sister or her bridesmaid who's there with her will turn round and say 'Nah'! Choosing a wedding dress is such a private thing. It used to be that the bride-to-be would go looking for her dress and take just her mother or sister or best friend along with her. Now you'll often find four or five people tagging along. We're thinking of banning them!

Where can brides buy a Johanna Hehir designed wedding dress?

We have a boutique in Marylebone, London and a few of our lines are sold through selected retail outlets across the country but number one, I would say, is to visit the website and take a look at our collections.

Can a bride come and have a bespoke gown designed specifically for her by you, Johanna?

Ye-es... but it is so expensive because I am busy designing new collections all the time and we are updating our designs constantly. We are currently working on a new range of dresses that will be our Best Price Point collection. While they aren't by any means a budget range they are realistically priced to fall within the £1200 - £1500 band.

Have you ever designed for anyone famous?

Yes but I prefer to be discreet about it - and every girl who comes to us is important, famous or not.

How should a wedding dress be stored in order to preserve its beauty?

When a girl comes to collect her dress it will be hanging in its own bag. We emphasise the importance of keeping it hanging up before the wedding and never, ever crush it. After the wedding we recommend sending it to a specialist dry cleaners and then for it either to be hung up or stored in a special box.

What’s the one most valuable piece of advice you would give to a bride to be?

Stay true to yourself.