The Red Gown

Prom Night 2016 

The first prom night in Wells has been and gone and we can share the first dress of the season. We arrived a little let to the city to really capture the imaginations of the teen population but those on the uptake had some gorgeous ideas. 

This is the red gown, Rose red to be precise in a French silk chiffon for a beautiful girl at the Blue School in Wells. I will need to keep tabs on who is wearing what from which school next year, as there are no fewer than six schools in the area!

This particular 16 year old was looking for simple and elegant, something without the sparkle of the 'normal' prom dress shops. To me it was important to have a dress that could be worn again and altered in the future. And most importantly a design that was a knockout beauty on the red carpet instead of hotfix poly-satin on the tarmac.

So we looked to Valentino, the king of the red gown for inspiration and an early 1950s old hollywood silhouette with a draped sweetheart bodice, wide halter neckline and a full circle cut silk chiffon to billow around the hem. We used a selection of trims for the belt, a little sequin (the disco sequins didn't go down too well,  note to self to remember what it was like being 16!) grosgrain and satin, the matte of the grosgrain was the winner. 

I couldn't be more happy with this gown and hope it will be worn for years to come. It was a little difficult to let it go especially after documenting the fit as it felt amazing on. A bespoke gown is always incredibly special and someone in Wells has this dress that should be treasured forever. 

Oyster Quilted Skirt

Our new quilted satin ballgown skirt. A 1950s inspired statement skirt to team with lace tops and cropped T shirts. Cut on a full circle with pleat front in Oyster grey with a purple lining.

Barbie Dresses in Stripes

Just before we moved to our new boutique we were working on a mini collection of 1950s Barbie inspired dresses.

Here are the first two results as the Sindi and Humbug designs.

The Sindi Dress is cut with a full pleated skirt with fitted shell bodice and low scoop back. Grey velvet ribbon stripes pattern the silk dress with a luxurious texture. Gorgeous for Summer and Winter parties alike.

The Humbug dress is pure cocktail hour with a draped strapless bodice and asymmetrical stripes sweeping across the body to the full puff ball drape. The black velvet stripes were appliqued to the silk satin and then draped to the dress by hand. A striking piece for parties and events!

Green Atomic 1950s Bombshell Dress

Our New green ombre hourglass gown.
This dress came about as a fitting idea for the musical Miss Atomic Bomb. The lead was to have a bombshell style dress with a fabulous hourglass shape.

This gown is made from a beautiful one off a kind pleated satin in an ombre shade of emerald to silver.
The bodice is strapless and hand draped over a boned bodice and internal corset that cinches the waist right in. The skirt is pencil cut to show off the curves and is cut a little longer making this a show stopper of an evening gown.

Available as a one of a kind piece in the online boutique here. 

MacKintosh Silk Tartan Dress

Our updated design of our tartan dress from the 2010 Princess collection. Tartan is a Winter classic and if you have Scottish heritage can be used to personalise your attire. We chose the MacKintosh pattern for its classic colours and used a deep black velvet to add to the luxuriously rich feel of the fabrics.
Cut with a 1950s style sweetheart bodice, a shaped hip and dipped hem to a full voluminous skirt. The dress comes with a separate tulle underskirt to plump the skirt. Available ready to wear or made to order in your choice or tartan.

Also made at the studio this month was a full pleated skirt in the MacKintosh silk to team with vintage 50's sweaters or strapless bodices. Again, you can order this in your family tartan.

Click the images for more information.

Silver Lace Gown for Laura

This bespoke gown was made a couple of years ago for our photographer friend Laura Power and we recently had it back to photograph all the details. 

The dress was made with a polkadot tulle layered under metallic Chantilly lace and then hand appliqued with a corded lace trim to add texture and detail. 

The cut was a classic Edwardian style hourglass with a sweetheart neckline underneath the sheer lace and three quarter length sleeves. A small chapel length train finished the flared skirt with a border of the heavy corded lace. 

Laura looked stunning in her gown on the day. 

Botanical Floral Summer Dress

Grace Floral Tea Dance Dress

Janey Floral Playsuit

Janey Floral Tulle Playsuit and skirt

Jayne Floral Wiggle Dress

Introducing the new Botanicals collection using the most beautiful vintage floral rose print.

Each of the three dresses are designed with the 1950s in mind in keeping with the design of the print.
The Grace gown, a quintessential tea dance summer dress with hand pleated silk organza detailing and a sweeping full circle skirt.

The Janey two piece playsuit and skirt - inspired by those fabulous beach outfits of the 1950s which go from pin-up cutey to oh so elegant and vice-versa with the added tulle ballet skirt.

The Jayne Wiggle Dress - cut with Jayne Mansfield inspired curves to show off the bust, nip in the waist and accentuate those wiggling hips. One of our What Katie Did corsets or push up strapless bras are recommended.

Each of these three pieces are a one of a kind using original vintage fabrics.

The Sunflower Dress

The new Sunflower Dress. This dress was made from this beautiful piece of embroidered vintage chiffon. The colour and the pattern were exquisite but sadly the fabric was also in vintage shape. I couldn't resist turning it into a dress. 

The bodice was very carefully hand draped to a satin and tulle base. The embroidered sunflowers were appliqued to cascade across the dress, all finished with a grosgrain ribbon. 

The dress was too good not to make and even though it has a few flaws in the fabric, it was really worth it. 

Find it here. 

The Good Hope 1930s Inspired Dress in Detail

Inspired by the 1930s, the 'Good Hope' gown is a one of a kind piece in vintage crepe and red satin. 
Available in the shop here.