As a costume maker I am used to being presented with a 2D design, which, after consultation with the designer, I then interpret into a 3D garment. This is exactly the same process with personal customers. You are the designer. All garments are made to your specification, your design, your dreams, and made to fit only you.
This is the story of Michelle and Stuart. A lovely couple who were planning their wedding and wishing for something very special and a little bit different to wear.
After a brief chat on the 'phone we had a meeting to discuss exactly what they wanted. They already had quite a good idea of the look they were after so all that was needed was to find suitable fabrics, decide on a colour, what was wanted with regard to embroidery, and a little fine tuning. Adding those little extra touches, embellishments, details, to make it all really special.
Michelle wanted a mediæval style dress, similar to those on the right, with embroidery around the neckline and belt. This style of dress needed a fabric which flowed and draped extremely well, and through our discussions Michelle said she did not want anything shiny. This left us with the beautiful heavy silk crepe marocain in ivory. The neckline, belt and cuff detail, however, where to be in an ivory duchesse satin as a contrast.
Stuart wanted a Victorian style frock coat, the tricky part was what fabric, wool, velvet, etc? We finally decided on a black moleskin with purple velvet cuffs and collar.
The next decision was the embroidery - what and where. They were both interested in Celtic knotwork and picked out a couple of designs that I could go away with and work on. 'Where' was a little easier - around the neckline and belt of the dress, and around the top of the cuff on the coat.
The next step was embroidery samples and a crash course in celtic knotwork ensued. I finalised some knotwork ideas to choose from and many options of different beads, embroidery, sequins.
While they were deciding on embroidery detail I was busy making up patterns and getting everything ready for their first fitting.
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It was during this first fitting that the idea of a belt for Michelle's dress was discarded, whilst the design ideas for the embroidery were finalised. Decisions were also made about the type and size of bead or button used to fasten the dress as well as the buttons for the coat. Luckily we found some with a celtic design on them. A further two or three fittings, a few little nips and tucks and the garments were ready for collection. |