Archive for May, 2011

A well-travelled wedding dress

By On 31 May 2011 In Testimonials With No Comments Permanent Link to A well-travelled wedding dressPermalink

A funny little story in the Herald Sisterhood of the travelling frock about a wedding dress that has travelled across the world to be worn by 5 different brides.

This Nicole Miller dress was brought to NZ by Dani Lebo, an American transplant to Whanganui, but took its final trip down the aisle – or rather beach walkway – at Piha in February on Lisa Borsos who bought it second hand. A great idea in these tough economic times!

I often repurpose wedding dresses for other events or occasions, or help alter off the rack or second hand wedding gowns for my customers. Contact me if you find yourself in this situation!

More on lace

By On 20 May 2011 In Design and Fashion With No Comments Permanent Link to More on lacePermalink

Great video on the NZ Herald site about lace’s comeback and history. Lace is traditional yet modern, a nod to history and a look ahead to the new. In other words a perfect accent to a wedding dress! For what is a wedding but a new beginning and a celebration of the past?

You can view the Herald video here – enjoy!

Susie in the NZ Herald!

By On 17 May 2011 In Design and Fashion, Testimonials With No Comments Permanent Link to Susie in the NZ Herald!Permalink

I was one of four designers featured in a New Zealand Herald article about dream wedding dresses. You can read the article here. The Herald also has a gallery showing five stunning bridal creations. These are all gorgeous dresses from some talented designers! The gown I made for Lucy represents very well, if I do say so myself :)

One shoulder wedding dress with long train

Lucy rocking her bespoke wedding dress

I’m still in love with the formal long train, with its funky flower-and-butterfly details. This motif is repeated in the bodice and the one shoulder strap. Talk about bespoke – there’s not another dress like it in the world!

Because of my collaborative design and dress making process, every single one of my wedding gowns is custom tailored for the bride who wears it. It is unique to her.

I am really proud of that aspect of my craft, and I think it is a real point of difference with other designers. Like them, I am inspired by trends and fashions, but honestly my biggest inspiration and influence is… the bride.

My brides come to me with a vision, and I help turn it into reality. How much fun is that!

A bumpy process

By On 12 May 2011 In Testimonials With No Comments Permanent Link to A bumpy processPermalink

Jamie was a gorgeous bride who developed a bit of a bump during the dressmaking process!

When I first met Susan to discuss ideas I found her experience and knowledge very helpful and together we came up with a dress based on a picture I showed her and a fabric that Susan suggested, which I loved immediately.

The next time I saw Susan, months later, for the first measure, I had to break the news that I was 8 weeks pregnant. Susan wasnt put off and rose to the challenge of creating my dress around my growing bump.

Because of my pregnancy, Susan suggested a few changes to the design of my dress to accomodate the changes to my body and give more support where needed.

We left the final fittings of the dress until very close to the wedding date to get as good a fit as possible for my 23 week bump, with Susan working right up until the last minute deadline, when I was flying to Queenstown for my wedding.

I found Susan professional, knowledgable and accomodating and she was a lovely person to deal with, making the process enjoyable and memorable.

Thanks again Susan for your hard work creating my beautiful wedding gown.

Thank you, Jamie – I love a good challenge! And the dress turned out beautifully, as you can see in Jamie’s wedding dress gallery.

Lace lace lace

By On 11 May 2011 In Design and Fashion With No Comments Permanent Link to Lace lace lacePermalink
Kate Middleton exquisite in lace

Exquisite lace detail on the shoulders and sleeves

 

Lace is so “it” right now, and I’m sure Alexander McQueen’s gorgeous creation for Kate Middleton will keep that trend burning for a few years to come.

Lace has always been part of the classic, traditional wedding gown, but for a while it had the reputation of being a bit fusty and old-fashioned. Not anymore. Dress designers have rediscovered how sexy lace can be, allowing a glimpse of skin but providing enough cover to be discreet in a cathedral.

Feminine, flirty, and classy – a little lace detail can really make a wedding dress “pop”.

If you’re looking for a wedding dress traditional yet completely personalised, get in touch and brainstorm some ideas with your own personal dress designer! We may not have Kate Middleton’s and Alexander McQueen’s budget, but we can certainly have their style. :)

Thoughts on Kate Middleton’s wedding dress

By On 3 May 2011 In Design and Fashion With No Comments Permanent Link to Thoughts on Kate Middleton’s wedding dressPermalink
Kate and Pippa Middleton at the royal wedding

Two gorgeous dresses on display at the royal wedding

Kate Middleton’s wedding dress was one of the most highly anticipated wedding gowns ever, and boy did it deliver! The silk satin bodice, gorgeous opulent lace, that neckline and the long lace sleeves – Alexander McQueen designed a dress that was classic yet modern, traditional yet uniquely tailored to Kate Middleton.

And didn’t she look awesome? Every detail on the wedding dress was perfect, and the dressmaking sublime. The fitted bodice looked like it had been sprayed onto her body, not a millimeter out of place. The skirt, just smoothly extending from her waist over her hips, flowing down to the beautiful train and falling in such soft but shape-accentuating pleats… stunning. And don’t get me started on the lace decoration on the skirt, or the detailing buttons.

Let’s not forget the hottest bridesmaid in the world, Pippa Middleton, in a gown that would make a knockout wedding dress itself!

Absolutely fabulous - I am awed and inspired.