Leading British Bridal Designer Ritva Westenius has been in the forefront of bridal couture for nearly 40 years in which time she has grown to iconic status. Ritva has become the symbol of British style by opening the way to innovative and artistic interpretation of Wedding Fashion.Born and educated in Finland, then in Sweden, France and the UK where she graduated with BA hons degree in London University. Paris then beckoned when an opportunity arose for her to enter behind the scenes of famous Couture Flouses and experience high fashion in the making, which truly fired a smouldering interest in luxury couture.On returning to UK Ritva Westenius launched her own luxury couture wedding gown collection in the West End of Central London in 1977,Ritva Westenius focuses on timeless, elegant styles, which is about high quality couture Wedding Dresses in exquisite fabrics and beautiful cut. Ritva is using her own creative ideas, favouring, tasteful designs with clean lines that are understated, yet glamorous while keeping an eye on modern trends. She is known for meticulous construction, skilled craftsmanship, beautiful Italian and French fabrics and lace, and exquisite beading. Chenca Williams, her daughter joined Ritva Westenius12 years ago and during that time has absorbed all the invaluable knowledge and skills required to become a professional Co-Designer/ Director, after a brilliant previous career as Principal Ballet Dancer in the Royal Ballet for 25 years! Chenca has brought her own creative vision and directional style to the Ritva Westenius collections and as you would expect Chenca is passionate and flamboyant and this can be seen in her designs, inspired by movement and dance. Brides looking for a red carpet moment will find purely indulgent styles with high fashion powerful dresses that whisper sophistication and glamour.RAINE: Who is the Ritva Westenius woman?C. WESTENIUS: Women with their own sense of worth & confidence in their ability to dress to enhance their own unique beauty.RAINE: Chenca after a successful career as a Principal Ballet Dancer, what moved you to work with your mother at Ritva Westenius?C. WESTENIUS: To be truthful I was at a loss what to do after having danced from the age of 2 & one forgets there is a real world out there that one has not been a part of! I couldn’t imagine myself not being 8 in a creative environment, therefore how could I not work with such a 8 talented Designer with the bonus of being my Mother?! I really am very lucky to have been given the opportunity & to have been trained by her with all her invaluable techniques & workmanship over the decades! Experience is the key to longevity!RAINE: How would you say your sense of design differs from that of your mother?C. WESTENIUS: I work more with the feel & movement of fabrics & how designs can change your personality & how they make you feel when wearing them- very much like when you play a character on stage your costume helps you!RAINE: As a creative entrepreneur where do you draw your inspiration from?C. WESTENIUS: Virtually everything surrounding one in life...it may be a picture, the sky, a tree, a flower, an idea during an appointment, history, ballet, music, art & my constant never sleeping brain which has zillions of creations ready to be created all the time!RAINE: What are the foreseeable challenges facing your brand, and what steps are you taking now to successfully navigate those potential obstacles?C. WESTENIUS: Counterfeits- fake websites selling your designs with your photographs using their water marks- 2nd hand websites- in fact anything that seems “to be to good to be true on line, IS!!!!!”R. WESTENIUS: We have not released photographs online for the last 2 collections.R. WESTENIUS: We are part of the UK Bridal Industry which is actively closing down “Fake” websites everydayR. WESTENIUS: We also suggest reading “Brides Beware” set up on Face Book by the IndustryC. WESTENIUS: On the positive we are using other media platforms which we can control & engage with potential Brides to show our designs!RAINE: To what do you credit your longevity and your ability to navigate the cycle of ups and downs that the industry is known for?C. WESTENIUS: Ritva’s Finnish roots of purity of design with an eye for good clean well cut lines which never date! “Timeless”RAINE: As an entrepreneur, what has been your biggest challenge and what steps did you take to successfully reach your goals?C. WESTENIUS: I am still taking steps every day as the goal post moves forward all the time! I have many more goals yet to reach in my lifetime!!!!RAINE: What one piece of business advice would you offer budding entrepreneurs that has helped you more than any other advice?C. WESTENIUS: Believe in your own uniqueness. Believe in your own creativity. Believe in your Designs. Believe in truth. But most importantly be honest & treat mankind with respect.