Curvella Bridal & Formal nominated for Australian Small Business Champion Award

See what Alex Jurgens is doing in her plus-size bridal shop, which has earnt her a national business award nomination.

Alex Jurgens, Curvella Bridal is nominated for a small business award, less than a year after opening her store for plus size brides. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Every week, Alex Jurgens sees stress and angst melt away from women who thought their bodies would not fit a bridal gown.

Her business — Curvella Bridal & Formal — offers plus-size bridal gowns and formal dresses, and has been nominated for an Australian Small Business Champion Award less than a year after opening.

Ms Jurgens said the best part of her job is telling a stressed bride, who thought white gowns weren’t made in her size, that in fact ‘this one might be a bit big’.

“The relief that goes through, there is a physical change in their body. It goes from being like [gasp] to more of a [relieved sigh] something’s too big for me, that’s such a nice thing to hear.”

People were travelling from Cairns to her store, Ms Jurgens said, and felt her business was saving Queenslanders from needing to fly to Sydney or Melbourne to find their perfect dress.

Curvella Bridal & Formal owner manager Alex Jurgens holding up a dress which will one day make someone very happy.

Ms Jurgens is travelling to Sydney at the end of April, for the awards, and is hoping to take one home.

Being less than a year into this business venture, cashflow was tight, Ms Jurgens’ said, but Dee Prasser from Raine and Horne Townsville helped with her flights, and another small business owner donated an accommodation voucher.

Winning an award would “be a validation of what we’re doing here is what the customer wants”, Ms Jurgens added.

“The recognition would help spread the word out that we’re here,” she said.

“And on a national platform that would be amazing.”

The shop stocks bridal gowns and formal dresses in sizes into the 20s.

Ms Jurgens also owns Blushous Beauty and Bridal.

Originally published as Curvella Bridal & Formal nominated for Australian Small Business Champion Award