I'm In Love!

When I was young like many girls I had a dressing-up box. But, there was no ordinary dressing up in the battered cardboard box. It contained my Aunties wedding gown, a beautiful satin brocade fabric with pearl buttons at the back, long slender sleeves with further pearl buttons at the cuff. If I close my eyes, I can still the smell the fabric as I lifted the lid.

It held pride of place in mum's airing cupboard and only came out as a treat. But there was a condition attached. When I'd finished playing, the wedding dress went back in the box and back in airing cupboard. I'm not sure how many times I left that beautiful gown lying on the bedroom floor, but was warned should it not be put away, it would be thrown away.

And that's how I lost my beautiful brocade wedding gown at the tender age of eight.

Today I opened my copy of Perfect Wedding to find a vintage inspired gown by Ian Stuart. A 50's sillouette in taffeta. Poetry in motion so to speak. Not quite the gown my auntie had, but classic none the less. The memories came flooding back. And the regrets of not tidying away after myself!

Cuba, by Forget-me-not designs has brought my brocade back to life, again, not quite the style but one sneaky peak at this gorgeous fabric and I can smell my aunties wedding gown. I truly hope we see more of this sumptious fabric.

http://www.ianstuart-bride.com/

http://www.forgetmenotdesigns.co.uk/

Mum's The Word!

Whether it’s mother of the bride, or mother of the groom it’s just as important to have the perfect outfit. After all, it’s the wedding of their beloved daughter or beloved son, so choosing the right outfit can be a dilemma as both mums’ will want to look their best on this very special day.

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Mrs Wilkinson found me via her local directory and was very clear on the type of outfit she wanted for her daughter's September 2009 wedding.

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The style was to be taken from two separate outfits she had in her wardrobe. A favourite dress she felt comfortable wearing and which suited her slender figure and a Jacket (part of a 2-piece) Mrs Wilkinson had purchased for a prior event.

Mrs Wilkinson's choice of fabric was a sumptuous 100% silk doupion in Alpine (the eventual choice from several shades I ordered in for her) from Bennett Silks. The dress was a basic shift cut just below the knee for the client's comfort.

The jacket had a gathered collar which finished into a rose effect arranged on the right side. The doupion was easily manipulated; true silk has that sumptuous, crumply feeling which just cannot be replicated in the lower priced synthetic versions.

Photograph by Michael Hinchcliffe.

The jacket was designed to enable the wearer two cuff options. A simple split cuff or the ability to turn it back bringing the sleeve finish to mid-forearm.

Mrs Wilkinson completed her ensemble with a fascinator style hat, matching shoes and handbag.

Elegant and classic, Carol. A pleasure to work for you.

http://www.bennett-silks.co.uk/