Creating unique wedding dresses that wow
Some brides want a wedding dress that is totally unique and as a couture designer, this is my chance to be really creative. Look carefully at my bridal collection and you will see my signature Deco hand beading and appliqué flowers used in many different ways on my wedding gowns. But sometimes a bride wants more and then it is a real privilege to create a wedding dress that is truly original.
Amy was a dream as she had so many ideas. We worked together honing and refining those ideas and slowly her wedding dress evolved into a work of art.
The design was in effect two dresses in one: a sheath wedding dress in romantic blush pink with a dramatic overskirt for the ceremony that gave Amy a totally different look.
Over 18 months and many fittings, her sheath wedding dress, overskirt and long cathedral veil were covered with hundreds of hand cut flowers appliquéd onto blush silk and lace. Then pearl and Swarovski beading was hand sewn on to these base layers creating a rich floral texture.
My signature Deco beading on the overskirt waistband showed off Amy’s small waist. And in the evening when the overskirt was removed, a matching belt – again hand beaded – was added to the sheaf dress. This gave Amy real celebrity glamour for her large wedding in the Barcelona sunshine.
The beauty of creating a truly original gown is that both bride and designer can let their imaginations run – my skill is to take all those lovely creative ideas and turn them into a dream dress.
Jessica was having a rustic winter wedding that would include a romantic forest walk. Jessica was passionate about everything Japanese and wanted lotus flowers incorporated into the design of her dress. I painstakingly made silk lotus flowers, hand painted with a blush tint and stitched to her dress with pearl centres. Hand cut and painted vines were then sewn to sheer sleeves making it appear that the vines twisted around her arms. Vines also draped over her dress and her velvet hooded cape. As a finishing touch, I also hand painted the ribbons that tied her lace ankle boots with a hint of blush to echo the lotus flowers. Jessica truly looked like she had walked out of a fairy story as a forest bride.
Not everyone wants to take such a big creative step. But every wedding dress is very personal and it is important you have a special connection with it. If you are having a couture dress, you will be able to discuss your ideas with your chosen designer. It may be that you would like to have some lace from your mother’s wedding dress incorporated or a secret monogram or message, it could be pearls from a family heirloom or a vintage sash.
I add hand beadwork to a lot of my designs and always ask if there is anything the bride would like included.
I have collected vintage beads for over 20 years and will often add some if I am doing beading on a wedding dress as the “something old”.
Rio asked if she could have a few pale blue crystal beads in the beading on the bust of her wedding dress.
Other times, I might sew a small blue ribbon rose to the lining of a wedding dress or embroider the initials of the bride and groom.
If you are buying your dress from a bridal boutique you can personalise it yourself.
Anything is possible with a little imagination or you could just buy a beaded motif and add it to your sash.
And if you can’t sew there are all sorts of iron-on Swarovski decorative motifs including initials.
Just take care as wedding dress fabrics are generally very delicate…
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