Our people

Katie Yeung is the visionary behind Hera Couture and is dedicated to empowering women and helping them embrace their confidence and beauty.

As the founder of Hera, she has revolutionised the bridal industry with her modern yet timeless designs, setting a new standard for quality and elegance.

Katie firmly believes that every bride, regardless of body shape, size, or gender, deserves to look fabulous and gorgeous on their special day. At Hera, she has assembled a team of well-trained global representatives, stylists, and stockists who are committed to providing expert knowledge and consultative styling sessions. Their sole focus is on the best interests of each bride-to-be, ensuring that they feel supported and beautiful throughout their journey.

Katie Yeung

Lead Designer / Founder

Driven by her love for the creative process and the possibilities that new technologies bring, Katie and her dedicated team infuse their expertise and passion into every gown design. Katie is fascinated by fabrics and she is constantly striving to develop new textiles that look stunning, drape beautifully and are comfortable to wear. With such dedication, there is never a dull moment at Hera, with every member of the team sharing this love for the industry and their craft.

Together, the Hera family is always striving for the absolute best, setting new standards for quality and fit, and importantly listening to their customers.

Through Hera's value-driven approach, Katie Yeung has created a brand that goes beyond the boundaries of traditional bridal wear. Her unwavering commitment to empowering women and her passion for designing exquisite gowns have solidified Hera's reputation as a leading force in the industry.

For Katie, nothing is more rewarding than knowing that she has played a part in making a bride's dream come true and that every single person that works with or wears a Hera gown, is delighted by the experience. Witnessing the radiant smiles and newfound confidence of her brides is an incredibly fulfilling experience for her and Katie considers it an honour to design for a woman's most cherished day.

MEET KATIE YEUNG

Cliff

Co-Founder / CFO

Every creative house needs a brilliant counterpoint. At Hera Couture, that is Cliff.

He is the analytical mind behind the numbers - intelligent, precise, data-led and unfailingly calm under pressure. A natural problem solver, he is the person the team turns to when something complex needs simplifying, fixing or quietly figuring out.

His humour is distinctly dry, his dad jokes are relentless, and his sharpest thinking is often delivered with complete understatement. Away from the spreadsheets and coding, there is his love for tennis, stacks of sci-fi books everywhere in the house and an enduring devotion to his family.

Laura Chittock

Brand Development Manager

Laura is a highly experienced bridal professional and has performed many roles in the industry, including bridal styling, showroom management and creative direction. She is responsible for ensuring that our network of retailers delivers a knowledgeable, elevated, luxurious bridal experience to our brides worldwide.

Stylish, collaborative, with an effervescent smile, Laura is also an integral part of Hera's design efforts. She works collaboratively with Katie to develop our collections and style our creative efforts.

Jackie Lu

Production Manager

Unflappable and supremely organised, Jackie is the glue that holds our team together. She is responsible for managing our atelier and quality control processes. She ensures that Katie's design vision is brought to life and that our gowns are delivered immaculately, as befitting our brides' expectations for their special day.

Jackie is also an amazing bridal stylist and has previously managed our Auckland Flagship Showroom.

Ashleigh Cram

Auckland Flagship Showroom Manager

A natural leader with a passion for people, Ashleigh oversees our Flagship Showroom. She is warm and confident, with a passion for helping our brides be their most beautiful and comfortable self for their big day.

Born and raised in Otago, Ashleigh has worked in bridal almost her entire professional career. Prior to joining Hera Couture, she managed one of the largest bridal showrooms in Australia.

Stephanie Guenther

Australia and EU Sales

Stephanie has over 15 years experience as a fashion sales professional. She has performed many roles across three continents for some of the world's leading international fashion and luxury brands. She is highly dedicated, engaging and focused on supporting our network of retailers across Australia and the EU.

Stephanie is a native German and English speaker. She is based in Sydney, and can be contacted through au@heracouture.co.nz for Australian enquiries or eu@heracouture.co.nz for EU enquiries.

Harriet Newman

UK and Ireland Sales

Harriet is an enthusiastic and passionate sales professional with over a decade's track record working in luxury and bridal fashion for several world-renowned brands.

With her sophisticated sense of style and natural warmth, Harriet perfectly represents Hera's brand values of inclusivity, timeless sophistication, and exquisite craftmanship in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Harriet is based in Manchester, and you can contact her on uk@heracouture.co.nz.

Emily McGrew

North American Sales

Emily is a veteran of the industry, with a professional career fully immersed in bridal. From a young age, she has worked in multiple industry roles, from bridal styling to managing one of Florida's top bridal salons, and now in bridal wholesale.

Kind, professional and highly focused on delivering value, we are proud to have her represent Hera Couture in North America. Emily is based in the USA (EST) and you can contact her on usa@heracouture.co.nz.

Flagship Showroom

Our expert stylist and seamstress team

Warm, joyful and larger than life is our Victoria, lead stylist and dream maker to our brides.

Deeply attuned to sewing and the craft, Leila brings her calm, thoughtful nature and a genuine ability to listen.

The legendary Yoko, calm, considered and impeccabily skilled, with more than 20 years devoted to bridal creation and alterations. Yoko is Hera's trusted in-house seamstress and an expert in the art of the perfect fit.

Candid, instinctive and refreshingly honest. With over seven years in bridal styling, Rex guides our brides confidently to the gown that feels right from the very first try.

Behind the scenes but always working with care for brides; Lisa's keen eye for couture ensures Hera gowns are perfect for the people who wear them.