Caped Crusader, part 2.

It's that time of year again, where its suddenly so cold that just taking your socks off seems like a bad idea.

Its that time of year again, when the leaves pile up in the street, and I just want a socially-acceptable blanket to wear outside.
But wait! We have just such a thing! 

THE CAPE.

I cannot overstate how awesome capes are, if you are not already a convert, get into them.

I am making a very limited-edition series of short capes that are freaking cosy, and damned versatile.

They are available made to order for only $299.00, and you can even bring in your own choice of wool to be made up: 2m please.

At the moment, these beauties are available ready-made in black jacquard wool, or, a very special one-off vintage brown wool with pale pink spots, and shot pink silk lining. And there is literally only one of those. Patterns to come will include a sweet green and pink tweed, Chanel- style; and a Little Red RidingHood cape. Made, as they are, with a pure wool outer, and a silk lining, these capes are cosy and beautiful to wear.

Black wool melton cape with convertible collar and full lining.
Made to order for Ascot Races. Collar shown tied.

Collar worn open

Jacquard wool cape, available to purchase, collar shown wrapped and pinned with brooch.

The collars can be worn (at least) three ways, and, well, I just think they're swell. I designed this style for a client last year, to wear to a winter wedding, but these little rippers can go over everything from jeans to a formal dress, to race wear or worn as a wedding shrug. Brrr, winter wedding. Get a white one.

Vintage brown and pink wool cape, with shot Thai silk lining and under-collar, shown here tied. One only available. 

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.