Bridal:
{ Wedding dresses
{ Accessories such as veils, underwear (petticoats at the moment, expanding to
torsolettes, basques and bustieres in future).
{ Bridesmaids
{ Mother of the Bride (or Groom)
{ Flower girls.
{ Fripperies - ring pillows, garters

The guys don't have to feel left out - vests, cravats, pocket squares to coordinate the whole bridal party.

You can choose any style from a traditional full-skirted gown with all the frills, to a modern soft draped
silhouette.

Fabrics may be silks, laces or modern fashion fantasy fabrics.

Decoration may include crystals, diamantes or embroidery.

Evening Wear:
{ Traditional evening length dresses
{ Corset style bustieres
{ Skirts, tops, jackets
{ Accessories - wraps, bags
{ Alternative formal wear - PVC, Goth, Fetish,
Historical, Costume

My speciality is custom garment design and construction. I discuss with you styles and designs you like
and help you choose elements that will flatter your figure and personality.

I can draft a completely new design, modify a commercial pattern to incorporate
design elements you have chosen or fit your dress from a fashion pattern that you have chosen.

This process involves drafting a pattern for your individual measurements, altering the commercial
pattern to fit, and drafting any additional elements required. This pattern is fitted to you (the
first fitting) and any adjustments required are made in tissue.

Then I construct a "toile", which is a mock-up of your dress in a fabric with similar properties
but generally a much smaller price tag... this is used to check the fit and appearance of your dress
at your second fitting.

Once we're satisfied with the toile the garment is made in your chosen fabric. The final fitting
takes place to determine the finished length of the dress and any final details.

You can try on your dress again when you come to collect it, and I give "wearing tips", like how to
manage a full skirt in a car, how to walk in a long skirt or any quirks specific to your chosen style.
This includes a lesson on how to bustle your train if this is part of your dress.

Your own design

You might love a v-neckline, or a bias drape. Whatever you have in mind, we can design you a dress which is unique.

Fit

Ready-to-wear clothing is based on "standard" sizes. These sizes are often different across different manufacturers
and even different ranges by the same designer. Most modern garments are loose fitting or made in stretch fabrics.
They can be quite forgiving of variations from that standard set of measurements.

Where it all starts to get difficult is when you want something that's not necessarily stretchy, and that has a fitted
shape. Like maybe your wedding dress.

Wedding dresses may be bought "off the rack" just like your day to day clothing. However the chances that a dress you find
is exactly the right shape for you are small. Most women require the dress to be altered to fit them. Dress alterations
may not be included in the original price, may be botched or may simply not be possible.

If you have a non-standard figure, maybe shorter or taller or have a tinier waist (or like me appear to have lost your waist),
you may find that the right dress is a rare beast.

Whether you choose to have a dress identical to a commercial pattern, or we design one from scratch, your dress
will never be "altered". The fit will be perfect and that's the most important factor in looking your best.

This also means that if you like a particular style, but can't find an off the rack dress that can be altered to suit,
you don't have to change your mind. You specify the kind of dress you want, and I make it.

Couture finish

A couture finish relies on taking that extra bit of care to ensure that the garment has the best finish possible, whether
it's hand embroidery instead of a machine-sewn motif, or a hand finished invisible hem. Crystal highlights are especially
popular for bridal gowns. I personally do all beading or embroidery myself.