Svenja and Seb

This week's bridal gown is a wonderfully unique one. Svenja and her husband Seb were married at King Parrot in the Otways this autumn.

They chose an intimate event, with everything from the food to the decorations made by them, and their family and friends, many of whom came over from germany for the celebration.

Svenja wanted an non-traditional wedding gown that was all about her personal style, not the "bridal look". I love this kind of client who knows themselves and allows me to go a bit wild designing them something exciting and unexpected.

Svenja had a strong idea of her references and had collected a good range of inspiration photos including:

Fabric look and movement...

Voluminous grey silk chiffon layered over another colour..

Dress style and lines...

A-line full skirt with Celtic references, off the shoulder bodice and low-waisted line.

Textures and decoration...

Organic, layered, high-contrast,

Bolero jacket....

cropped, cut-away, in strong colours/ textures...

 

I developed three very different styles of gown using these reference points, and Svenja chose a three-piece ensemble, because she really wanted to be able to wear parts of it again, and she also liked the "casual" element this bought to her look, in contrast to a highly constructed "gown".

We worked through a miriad of colour ways from greens and greys, to blacks, blues and finally warm flesh and pinks. 

Svenja had a preference for black, grey and red, high contrast combinations with maximum impact, but we worked away from that and into the world of shades of grey, with warmer highlights.

The important thing about choosing colours for such an event is that even if your preference for a colour in day-to-day life is strong, these may not be appropriate for your wedding day: you want to be the focus of your outfit, not the the clashing colours in your dress. 

Design and colour concept sketch, for Svenja's wedding dress..

In the end, Svenja's wedding outfit was made up of a full circle skirt, layered in grey chiffon shot with silver, over a "cameo" pink crepe underskirt. With this she also had a black lace bodice with dusky pink underneath the lace, and then also a cropped jacket. Made from a grey silk/linen blend, and lined with the dusky pink silk, this jacket also had a hood and black cornelli worked around the bottom hem.

All-in-all, the skirt used about 8m of fabric and was pretty heavy. The lace is a Leavers lace from France, very slightly stretchy, and quite flat texture. The grey chiffon was from Tessuti, as well as the silk/linen for the jacket.

I have previously posted some up-close shots of this ensemble, at Texture Texture, but here are some more.

And here are some shots form the Big Day. Their wedding photographer was Kate Smethurst, at
Ms Jane.

Thank you to Svenja for her beautiful and unusual commission, and to both Seb and Svenja for sharing  their goregous wedding day.

Naturally... Natalie

So at last! I can share one of the many lovely weddings I've been a tiny part of this last spring.

The first bride this season to be wedded, is the gorgeous Natalie Staub. Nat married her fiance Andrew at the Boynton's Feathertop Winery in Porepunka, Victoria. Their wedding was a rustic relaxed affair and as you'll see from the photos, a very warm, family event.

Natalie came to me because she had seen photos in the window of my shop and felt some of the dresses had elements she wanted.

Her inspiration was fresh, modern and colourful: Strong, clean designs with modern details, but she also like the older silhouette with the wasp waist.

 

She loved coral, pink, watermelon, cream and wanted a dress that was really contemporary to suit her, and their spring, country wedding.

Nat also wanted a dress she could wear again. This is often a motivation for women who want a non-traditional gown for their wedding: they would like to get some extra value from what will probably be the most expensive garment they ever buy. Sometimes it works out, sometimes not. I like to suggest a few considerations:

1. Will this desire to re-use lead you to compromise the fabrics and design choices?

2. Will you be able to separate the association of your wedding day from the Dress? ie, will you actually want to wear it again, if it has become a very sentimental garment?

Neither of these considerations is difficult to overcome, but my feeling when I design for a bride, is that we aim for the best wedding dress possible and if you can wear it again, well, yay. And I think Nat will definitely get another wear out of this dress.

I did quite a lot of designing with this dress, because, really, there was so much scope for me: pretty much a blank slate, as far as wedding dresses go!

Preliminary Storyboard 1

© E. Christian

Preliminary storyboard 2
© E. Christian

There was a lot of chiffon and/or georgette, but ultimately we decided on a silk/cotton for the skirt, because it was a bit less cocktail-hour, and suited the bush setting more. I also found a beautiful printed silk dupion from one of my suppliers, designed by an Australian textile artist.

Final design concept, with layered watermelon
skirt and asymmetrical bodice
© E. Christian

We went with the two-toned design, though this seems to be very dramatic idea to some people, incredulously inquiring in the shop, that  surely "a bride shouldn't wear such colours?!"... what is this? 1906? 

Seriously. Open your mind.

Printed Silk Dupion from Silk Trader, with asymmetrical neckline, cap sleeve and
covered buttons

Silk/Cotton voile layered circle skirt in "Coral"

And here is the beautiful bride on her Wedding Day. I love how relaxed, modern, understated and genuine this wedding looks: everyone clearly had a fabulous time!

Thanks Nat, for being a wonderful client, and Nat and Andrew for sharing your photos and special with us. 

Photography by Shawn Smits.

Next time, more Spring weddings!