Happy Birthday Grace Kelly

 Howell Conaut photographs Grace Kelly in black hourglass gown. Happy Birthday to the Ice Queen and ultimate Hitchcock Heroine.

Nicole's 'Grace Kelly' inspired wedding dress

Earlier this year we made the lovely Nicole her bespoke wedding gown inspired by Grace Kelly's dress in Rear Window designed by Edith Head. Here are the fabulous wedding photos shot by photographer Hanson Letherby. The wedding was held at the Thames Rowing Club and they had a wonderful day of romance and dancing with family and friends. Nicole looks absolutely gorgeous in her dress. Congratulations to Nicole and Parker!
"I got so many compliments on the day about the dress- it looked absolutely amazing- Thank you so much!" Nicole
Read more about Nicole's dress here. 

2016 Bridal Collection - 1939 Draped Jersey Gown

Our 1939 silk jersey gown with draped pleating inspired by the Grecian goddess designs of Madame Gres. Available bespoke made to measure.

2016 Bridal Collection - 1930s Draped Dress Inspiration

We chose to include two 1930s design in the latest collection as the thirties has so many inspiring ideas. Madame Gres pioneered the sculptural draping technique with silk jersey, hand draping the gowns in tiny pleats reminiscent of Grecian goddesses.

The inspiration images above have been taken from Pinterest and features designs by Madame Gres.

2016 Bridal Collection - 1930s Satin Gown

Introducing the 1930 dress from the new Decades 2016 Bridal collection.
Designed with all the elements of the 1930s silver screen goddess gown. A cowl neckline that can be pulled seductively off the shoulders, a deep draped back and a bias cut full length skirt with train. Made in a pure silk satin with matching sequins for Old Hollywood sparkle.

For more information click on the images. Made to order from our Somerset studio.

2016 Bridal Collection - 1930s Dress Inspirations

The 1930s for me was all about that silver screen old Hollywood look of 'draped satin white gowns' and elegant strong women. Jean Harlow is the iconic bias cut gown wearer with her slinky photographs shot by George Hurrell. Not an obvious beauty but those satin gowns turned her into a goddess.
All images sourced from pinterest. From top left. Carole Lombard, Eleanor Powell, Fay Wray in Hong Kong, Jean Harlow, Jean Harlow, Jean Harlow, Katherine Hepburn, Jean Harlow, Bette Davis, Jean Harlow in gold.

The key elements of the 1930s gown are the bias cut, the cowl, the satin and the accent. Here is the sketch for the design.

2016 Bridal Collection - 1920 Dress

Our new 1920 dress made in shimmering champagne sequins layered over a full tulle slip.
Click on the images for more info.

2016 Bridal Collection - 1920s Dress Inspirations

1920s champagne tulle Pannier Dress 

1920s applique lame gown by Boue Soeurs

Louise Brooks in 1920s Ziegfeld Follies costume

Boue Soeurs lace floral 1928 gown

Black Chantilly lace 1920s gown

1920s fashion illustration

Chartreuse Green 1920 Lanvin silk gown

A sketch of the second piece from our new 2016 Bridal Collection. 1920.

Inspired by the vivacious 1920s era of sparkle and champagne.  The 1920 dress will be made in champagne iridescent sequins layered over a tulle tiered slip creating a draped pannier shape. 

I love the 1920s pannier designs from the Ziegfeld Follies and flappers. Looks that produce a modern version of the 18th century court gowns of Versaille.

Inspiration Images taken from pinterest.

2016 Bridal Collection - 1910 Edwardian Dress

The first piece from our new 2016 Bridal Collection. 1910.

Inspired by the romantic Edwardian era and Merchant Ivory films. The dress is made in white cotton and lace with hand applique detailing. Produced at our Somerset Studio.
Click the images for more information on this dress.
Available made to order, Book an appointment at the studio to view the collection here. 

Edwardian Dress Inspirations

Miss Lily Elsie, 1912     

Leonard Misonne, 1910 
Zinaida Gippius, a Russian Poet 1917 

 

1912 Lucile Tea Party 

Images from A Room with a View

Two Edwardian ladies with parasols 1914

June 1900  - I love these fitted sleeves

1912 lady in white two piece and wide brim hat

Edwardian women in whites

1911 fashion plates of day wear. 

The latest Bridal collection has had the last thread cut and now I can share this inspirations and sketches behind the new gowns.

The collection will be titles 'decades' and features a design from each decade from the 1910s Edwardian era to the 1970s where the post modern design comes full circle.

I love the images above of Edwardian ladies in their white lace and cottons. The simplicity of the cuts with lots of embellishment and romance. The film 'A Room with a View' has always been an inspiration.

Our design will need modernisation and I will take elements of cut and embellishment to feed into the dress.

All images found on Pinterest.