Monday 25 August 2014

Vintage Dresses In The Shop - 1950s Suzy Perette Prom Dress

1950s prom dress alexandra king

alexandra king

alexandra king suzy perette

There is a new vintage section in the shop that will be host to some of the most divine pre-1960s vintage dresses in my collection.
I started out selling vintage clothing whilst I was at Uni, it helped with my designing and I learnt so much from vintage dresses. I've really missed the vintage trade so it's time to share some of the drop dead gorgeous finds on the website alongside our new dresses.

The reason I stopped selling vintage and started designing and making was due to the fact that these beautiful dress from the 1950s and earlier were getting harder and harder to find. They were also coming in tattier and tattier and one of my biggest regrets was selling my collection.

The thing with often one of a kind dresses is that once they've gone they've really gone. It's not coming back or being re-stocked.
It's that preciousness I wanted to put into my own work too.

The dress above is an original 1950s Suzy Perette dress is the lightest silk organdy. The original beadwork was falling off, someone did something weird to the waist taking it up and there was a tear on the back. Luckily we also have the skills to restore pieces, so tiny pearls have been added, the tear has been beautifully stitched and the waist put back in the right place. Back to it's full floaty gorgeousness, those circle skirts are really to die for.

It's in the shop here along with some other beauties. 




Thursday 14 August 2014

Sparkling Bride Angela In Our Lace and Gold

alexandra king
PHOTO BY THE MULLERS
Yesterday Angela, A gorgeous Bride from Nebraska tweeted her wedding photos shot by photographers The Mullers.

With immediate delight I scrolled through stunning shot after stunning shot. Here at the studio we made the bespoke white lace cover up bodice for Angela, it fits and looks beautiful with the heavy corded lace. The Mullers did a fantastic job of capturing the detail.

For the evening Angela picked a bespoke gold glitter bow belt, matching gold glitter bodice top and a gold polka dot organdy full skirt. This image below is my favourite and captures the sparkle perfectly.

The lady looks and wears her dress like a true star! Thank you to The Mullers and to Angela. x


Gold strapless vintage dress
PHOTO BY THE MULLERS

alexandra king bride
PHOTO BY THE MULLERS

button back lace top
PHOTO BY THE MULLERS
Similar white corded lace tops are available in the shop here. 
Glitter bow belt here.
Bespoke garments available upon request.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

The Exotic Gina - Vintage Style 1950s Pink Sari Dress

alexandra king

A vintage 1950s inspired magenta pink halter cocktail dress made from a jewel colored sari  .....

This is the first new dress in a while as everything slows down for Summer. I had been asked to make some dresses for a slightly more voluptuous figure and so the Gina was introduced.

The first dress is the 'Exotic' Gina made from a beautiful lightweight Sari bought on my travels in Singapore a few years ago. The colours are stunning and so jewel like in emerald, magenta and metallic gold.

A 1950s cut is flattering on all sizes so a fitted bodice and neckline framing halter was included along with a smoothing long-line hip and full pleated skirt. All supported with a tulle underskirt.

I love that Sari's are usually one of a kinds, I don't think I've every seen two exactly the same and this ideal works perfectly with our dresses all be one off pieces too. I recently thought we should maybe make one dress in each size but .... no, we don't like looking the same, we like everyone being the individual humans they are.

I'm back to working on the most spectacular sequinned dress of all time. I can't wait to share it. Good evening all x

Alexandra king dress

vintage rockabilly halter dress