Although we were unable to display our stand at this show run by the Most Curious team, we did join in with one of the two fashion shows.The theme being 50′s for this particular show we included ournew long 50′s dress that was on show for the first time, featuring all silk fabrics, including the detachable butterfly train. The two piece was complimented by a lace jacket.

Satin silk two piece dress with back lacing bodice, butterfly train and lace jacket

The blue silk dupioni dress was also photographed by a real person for the first time. This dress was made from a Vintage Vogue pattern. We can legally make individual dresses from your favorite pattern or modify to your specifications.

Blue shot pink silk dupioni Vogue dress, dropped waist with sash

Fuax fur wrap over our most popular silk dress. Can be worn closed for those chilly days.....

Our (faux) furry wrap / jacket, based on an original 50′s design, complimented the short silk dress and would be sure to keep brides warm in our somewhat unpredictable weather…… (None of the models were harmed in the making of this show!)

Satin dress with lace detail, a fuller look can be achieved with a more voluminous petticoat if required.

No rest for the wicked!

We are busy beavering away at our new dresses to be photographed next week by the superb wedding photographer, Chanon de Valois. Her blog can be found HERE, featuring our last Felixstowe shoot and Muriel, a new model for the upcoming shoot.

Muriel, another lovely lady for our shoot, courtesy of Chanon de Valois

Wedding Fashion Through the Ages

The dresses modelled will include an authentic 20′s wedding dress, in silk, satin and lace, 30′s and a 40′s dresses, featuring geometric panelled designs typical of those eras and a long 50′s, all satin silk corset dress, with long butterfly train.

Vintage Tiaras

Tiaras by Julia Beazely -definitely worth a look!

Also featured will be authentic vintage hairstyles and makeup, by James Perry and Elizabeth Benjamin respectively, not to mention some lovely Vintage Tiaras by the excellent Julia Beazley, who we met recently at a recent Essex Vintage Wedding Fair, hosted by Karen Whybro in Chelmsford. Look out for another fair coming up soon at the Shire Hall, Unfortunately due to pressures of work, we cannot attend. I am sure it will be a big success, as was the last show.

Will Cinderella Go To the Ball?

We have had my red dupioni silk dress hanging around for months now. Like plumbers who have leaky pipes and painters whose houses need a good coat of paint, we seem incapable of doing work for ourselves, sometimes aggravated by family members jumping the queue. Although I am over 21, I would like to display this dress, which was after all made for me. I thought it would be nice to have a decent photo and would make a great bridal dress in ivory, or in a strong colour like this for the more adventurous! Whether we finish it is another thing…………………..

The dress is made from raw silk dupioni, interlined with taffeta and lined in satin – feels lovely on. Some cuffed sleeves to go on and all the finishing work that “won’t take long.” (HA, Mike).

Works in Progress - will it be finished on time?

We have been kept quite busy lately with a flood of wedding dress alterations, from the cheapest internet import to some of the most expensive designer dresses. One would expect that, at the cheaper end, the source of these garments is from China or some other far eastern or middle eastern country. These seem to need quite a bit of work,as I have described in previous posts and as expected are a bit “rough” on the insides.

So you would expect that a “designer” dress costing between a grand and three grand would be made somewhere else to justify the expense?

Better Fabrics?

Well yes, sometimes, but not always. One recent job we had, was made of three layers of silk satin and chiffon, so you can add on a few hundred quid more, or less if a factory is buying in bulk. That leaves the other grand or two.

“Name” Dresses

We all expect to pay more for NIKE trainers as opposed to Tesco’s own brand, but we don’t feature a badge on a wedding dress! We may brag to our friends about the maker though……….

I did not expect to find a little label tucked away on the above silk designer dress, that retailed for over £2000 describing “Maker X” “MADE IN CHINA.” We also did not expect to find internal seams that were not overlocked or finished properly, not for this price anyway. I suppose it is only going to be used for one day so it doesn’t matter. Do you care?

American label proving that the work was done by union members!

You have to admire their honesty......

Back to Fabrics

The price of wedding fabrics can vary from a few quid to hundreds, a top quality silk duchess satin going for over £30 per metre. Unless the adverts or shops tell you otherwise, your chosen dress may be made from the cheaper fabrics. It also seems that unless the seller informs you of its source, it has probably been made in a third world, low labour cost country, regardless how how much you pay.

You pays your money and you takes your choice

as the saying goes. Even a tin of beans has to give you some information on the can. Why not expensive wedding dresses?

Buy British!

Everybody talks about it but how many put it into practice? Maybe you thought that the expensive dress on sale was from the UK or perhaps a French couture house? You can do something about it. Just ask or look at the label, then make an informed decision!

Main Advantage

Properly made to measure means that it will fit you perfectly……..obviously! Dresses made to your three basic measurements might not, but you can’t really call this a full made to measure service. What other advantages are there, I hear you ask?

Quality and Finishing

Many mass produced dresses found in the high street or online, are not finished to the same high standards as a properly made couture dress. The dresses on display are designed and made to look good, but don’t always come up to scratch in the structure or finishing departments.

Oh dear.....................

Why Bother?

Many might say that this is not important, particularly as the dress will only be used for a day. Apart from the fact that well made dresses hang and fit better, why should you pay big bucks for a dress that doesn’t come up to scratch in all these areas? A well made dress will fetch a better re-sale price, particularly if it has not fallen apart!

Inside our silk bodice, as good as the outside, almost!

Fabric Choice

You may fall in love with the dress in the shop, but you will probably be buying unknown fabrics, unless you are paying a premium for silk. Having a dress made allows you to choose your fabric and either customise a basic design or have one designed for you from scratch. The current preference for soft outer layers, made from organza and chiffon can hide dodgy seam work underneath, so have a look on the inside. You will either be impressed, or not!

All Down to Cost?

If you are really on a budget and go for a Chinese internet dress for £150, expect what you have paid for and allow for alterations.

A proper designer label dress at a wedding shop, should ensure that you get a reasonable standard of workmanship, allowing for an approximate fit, if made to order. The dress may be made in and imported from the far east, unless stated otherwise, hence the 12 week waiting list you may encounter. Such a dress may cost from £500 to several thousand pounds.

Display Dresses in sales should be carefully examined for flaws and be no more than one size too big, to ensure that it can be altered satisfactorily. These dresses can be bargains, but allow for up to £200 if alterations are needed.

Our fully made to measure dresses start at less than £1000 with a full bespoke design service starting at around £1500.

Our dresses fit perfectly and look as good on the inside as on the outside! You can come and see for yourselves, so where’s the contest?

CONTACT US for more information.

The most common way of buying a wedding dress is from a shop, you see one, you love it so you try it on. It might fit, it might not, but it can be altered says the assistant, usually at your expense.

Internet sales are on the increase but unless you have seen examples of the maker’s work and are confident that your dress is going to fit, this could be a risky business. The cheapest dresses can be found on the net, which is also the most useful tool for checking out your alternatives.

More and more brides are looking for something exclusive, made from the fabrics of their choice with higher standards of workmanship that can rarely be found on dresses sold in the high street. So what are the pro’s and cons of each?
Internet Buying – Cheap “knock offs” are usually made in the far east and some are even sold directly from there. A low price is the only advantage however. Current designs are usually copied, but these dresses don’t have the label and are not made to the same quality standards. These manufacturers however have a knack for making the dress look very like the original, but look inside and it’s a different story. Made to measure options are available, but according to our experiences at alterations, they seldom fit well and some have structural problems. Some may have different experiences but you should factor in some alteration or re-structuring when assessing the total price.

There is no doubt that they represent excellent value for money, at less than £200. For this money you don’t get individuality, but many don’t care.

There are reasonably good quality dresses available in the £300 to £500 range, particularly in the vintage sector, but even these are commonly made in the far east, even when purchased from a USA company.

UK Companies such as ourselves offer mail order services, that often include a mock up for the bride to try, before the dress is made. Some at least do a made to measure services based on given measurements, which can have its problems. Have a look at our mail order service page for more information on how we think it should be done.

Wedding Shops – Here you can see what you are getting, try it on and have it altered to fit in house, hopefully. We recently encountered a bride however, who was sold a full price dress, 2 sizes to big and was given a telephone number of a dressmaker……..

You should not accept an altered dress that is more than one size too big and NEVER one that is too small. The fit, design and look will be compromised in both cases. If you are buying an expensive dress it should fit you, so negotiate!

As with any retail product, you are paying for the running of the shop, which in all fairness costs an arm and a leg these days. Large gross profit margins are therefore normal and essential to the survival of the business. The actual factory gate prices of many “designer” dresses might shock many brides. Most will come from the far east, that’s why you sometimes have to wait three months, for delivery.

So if a lack of individuality is not your concern, you don’t care where it’s come from or how it was made or by whom, the shop is a good place to buy.

Wedding shows - examine the goods!

There is a range of companies, from individuals to small concerns, making excellent individual products to the highest standards, whilst offering a personal service to their clients. From the sole dressmaker to the top designers, you can pick a price range that suits your purse.

You will have the choice of fabrics and designs as well as having the dress made to fit you. Some makers offer one off designs, others from a portfolio or pattern. You should be given advice on what type of dress and fabric would suit you best.

In each case provided you have checked out the maker and seen their work, you will have a better made, affordable, well fitting dress that can be unique to you.

So why don’t most brides choose a dress made for them? The main reason is that they don’t know that they have this option.

Small companies often do not have the marketing budget or shop front with which to entice their customers. Many of us buy on impulse and that goes for just about everything so shops fair best!

Top designers can afford the marketing, but as a result, charge prices that many cannot afford. Many brides think that a made to measure dress is beyond their budget. For some, sadly this is true, but for the majority you can search the internet for exactly what you want at a fair price.

A recent survey carried out at a large wedding show, showed that most brides were willing to pay between £500 and £1000 for their dress, some much more.

The choice is yours!

Our recent photoshoot at Felixstowe, taken by Chanon de Valois Photography is shortly to be featured on fiftieswedding.com a great up an coming site for vintage enthusiasts. Check this site out or visit Charlie’s Facebook Pages for ideas for your vintage wedding.

We have had to cancel our appearance at Chiswick today, due to illness and apologise for those who may have come to see us.

New Dress Design

We have been busy beavering away on our new design, which is a response to what some of our brides have been requesting. We always like to show works in progress as a taster of things to come, so here’s a photo of the dress to give you an idea.

All silk corset bodice, separate skirt with detachable butterfly train.

Shire Hall, Chelmsford - featuring Regency and Art Deco architecture

Come and See Us!

We will be displaying our work at this vintage fair, which runs from 10 am to 3 pm on the above date. So if you are an Essex bride, come and see the dresses and examine our quality and workmanship.More details can be found on their website here.

We have designs from the 50′s and earlier, going all the way back to the Victorian era! We also offer a fully bespoke design service, so your imagination is the only limit!

Sale of Display Samples

We will have some very special offers on our sample dresses, that are featured on this website, at half the normal made to measure price. All of the dresses can be customised and altered for a perfect fit. Included in the sale will be some of our 50′s short dress designs, that you can see here. New to the collection is our beautiful 50′s style 2 piece dress in 100% silk satin, with corset back and detachable butterfly train. We will also be bringing along dresses from the 30′s and 40′s era and as usual, our selection of wedding corsets.

Free advice

We can give you advice on designs, materials and on what styles would suit your figure best. So do come and chat to us!

Shire Hall, Chelmsford CM1 1LX

Most of you will probably Google this or put it into your Sat Nav, but in any case you will find the hall in the centre of Chelmsford near the Cathedral.

Our latest silk bodice with boned inner foundation - nothing else needed!

Comfort versus shaping

The equation between a good shape and associated discomfort is not always valid and often a more substantial foundation is more supportive and comfortable. The choices are many, but the principles are the same.

“The Body Shaper”

One of our brides to be who was getting back into shape, shopped for a famous brand shaper and ended up “in tears,” as the promise of a slimmer, smooth lined body shape was not achieved. These garments rely on compression and will smooth out a “bumpy” figure, but unless they cover almost completely, can result in bulges. To be encased in elastic from head to foot on your wedding day may not be your idea of heaven and not particularly romantic! There seems to be lots of claims about reducing you two dress sizes, helping weight loss due to sweat in case of rubber ones, or loosing inches off your waist. I would not expect too much, unless you are quite slim, then you don’t need it anyway. For dramatic shaping to happen, you need a rigid or semi rigid device with bones, that is a corset!

The Traditional Girdle

Basques and Corsets

They are not the same thing and I have written on the subject before here and here. One of our recent brides chose to wear a basque, after we had constructed the mock up. This garment resulted in an inch on the bust and and inch off the waist and gave a good shape. I don’t know how comfortable it was, but I do know that it was a high quality foundation. You get what you pay for so avoid buying cheap as you may suffer discomfort!

The same goes for corsets; there are millions of them out there with prices starting around £10! For a corset to work properly, it needs to fit properly, that is made to measure. It needs flat and spiral steel bones but can be built light and strong, provided the fabrics and fittings are up to it. A properly made modern corset should not be uncomfortable will offer support and will definitely give you a better shape, even if reduction of the waist is not required. They are available in over and under bust styles, with various degrees of hip cover to suit all shapes.

This underbust corset was faced in the same taffeta material as the wedding dress and was described as “comfortable and supportive.”

High back and 24 bones gives excellent support

Free Advice

We are happy to advise on which foundation is best for which type of dress and which is best for you, should you wish to contact us. This advice can also be included in your first consultation for your wedding dress and can be part of the dress selection process. We are here to help so just CONTACT US!

Come and See Us!

We will be showing our dresses, corsets and accessories at this great fair put on by The Vintage Wedding Fair, our second time at this venue. This is a chance to see the style and quality of our work and also to have a chat with us about your dream dress.

We will have on show, some of our dresses from the Felixstowe photo shoot and also some new designs not yet seen.

Another Silk Creation

We will be showing our premium all silk long dress which features a decorated corseted bodice with laced back, separate long silk satin skirt and a detachable long train. This versatile outfit gives flexibility – no need to bustle or handle a voluminous train for the evening, just remove it! The separate bodice and skirt also gives the chance to change the skirt as well, perhaps to a shorter more informal one? We are presently working on more “separates” that are more flexible than the traditional dress, but just as elegant.

Postal Service and Personal Fittings

If you are in the south east or East Anglia, personal fittings can be arranged at our studio or at a mutually agreeable venue for our made to measure and bespoke dresses. For those who wish to buy one of our standard designs we can make to measure by mail order, using a mock up for you to try before we make the “real dress.” We have had considerable success with mail order service and have many happy customers who can attest to the perfect fit that we always achieve. So don’t be afraid if you are not on the doorstep and would like one of our dresses. The quality is always the same!