Just a wee bit obsessed.

How many of you readers are Downton Abby fans??

I'm hooked and have been since season one first aired. I have LOVED Masterpiece theatre since I was in high school. Although it's hard for me to watch the shows when they air on Sundays, as we visit family and besides our reception sucks at our house, so I have to wait for it to come online to see them.

Anyways, thanks to Facebook's sidebar advertising. I came across this lovely little link for....

A DOWNTON THEMED FUNDRAISER DINNER, PERIOD COSTUME INVITED!!

I'm just ever so slightly wanting to jam out that said proposed period gown a whole year ahead of schedule. Just to go to this. Now to find an extra $150, that's not tied up in current production of my 2013 collection.

Yup, that's right. A new collection is in the works!!!

Nineteen-teens

So, I promised to share my exciting new project!
Some of it is still under-wraps, but I can at least share what I will be working on for the next year for my self. And it's going to take me a year to make it, as I have a lot of research and practicing to do!

There is a establishment here in Utah, that will be celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2014 with a 1914 themed COSTUME BALL!!!! I'm so excited. I've delved deep into the re-runs of Downton Abby for inspiration (also in prep for season 3 in January!!) There are a lot Lady Mary's gowns I'm liking, as well as Lady Edith's.

I've always wanted to make a historically accurate gown. And where this event is going to be held and the crowd attending will be the perfect excuse to make one. The gown I will be documenting will be for me, I will also be making others for people attending the event.

Here is the goal and what I plan to document:
*Research 1914 construction and embellishment techniques.
*Make correct historical undergarments
*Use above researched constructions and embellishment to construct the whole thing. Being as true to period as possible. Meaning if it was done by hand, I'm doing it by hand.
*Get my shoe-making sister to make my boots, period of course.
* Lose that last bit of baby boy weight left overs from delivery in June. If I putting all this work into making it, I want to make sure I look great in the gown!

Anyways looking forward to the whole process and what I will be learning!

Small business black saturday!

Hello all!

Happy small business black saturday! I hope you all have taken some time today to peruse your favorite local boutiques and stores! I know I am! I'm off to take advantage of my favorite local fabric store. Tissu Fine Fabrics, they are having a 25% off ENTIRE purchase sale today. I have a customer who ordered a custom sequin pencil skirt and Tissu has the most beautiful tarnished nude sequin fabric. It's perfect!

Also, head over to my Facebook fan page. On my wall, check out the newest photo album. Featuring sample gowns for a SUPER deal! Along with the sample sale, I am offering the following deals!
(*All prices and offers good through November 30th)

-Book a custom bridal/formal gown by Nov. 30th and receive a FREE veil or fascinator to match your gown. (a $195 value!!)

-All alteration orders get 10% off!!

Happy local black saturday shopping!

Costumes!

Did you know Lily Bride does costumes? yup! Here are some samples of costumes made by Lily Bride. You'll have to visit aprincessparty.net to see this Cinderella I made (the Cinderella for the West Vallery area). Enjoy and I hope you all had a happy halloween!

 Cinderella!

Ariel! Also for aprincessparty.net

Lily Bride was asked to show in a fashion show, last friday. Celebrating 40 years at Fashion Place Mall. The mall first opened in 1972! It was a lot of fun, they had disco dancers, retro candy from the 70's, a sweet burnt orange VW beetle from the era and mannequins dressed in real vintage 1970's style!
I showed my Sybil gown. While it was really inspired by the 20's, I had my model wear soft curls with a middle part to channel that 70's bohemian vibe.  (this pic was taken at the end of the night, so her curls had died down:(
To show my groovin' style, I wore a shirt my Mother made in the 1970's (no, joke!) that I've come to claim as mine.
We all had a great night and thanks SLCC Fashion Institute and FP Mall for the fun night!

Alterations Sale!

I'm having an alterations sale! Come on over to my fan page on Facebook, (give it a "like") for more information.

Make an appointment for alterations through us and receive $15 off total cost over $50 and $25 off total costs over $100! Now is the time to get those pants hemmed, jackets fitted and shirts nipped in! Perfectly fitted clothes are the key to making an so-so outfit; a street stopping, head turning number. Call 801.688.4558 to book your appointment! (Remember! We are by appointment only!) Sale runs 10.16.12-10.31.12

I'm still here!

I promise I haven't disappeared!
Just enjoying a well deserved break, enjoying my kids, working on my cross-stitch, sewing for halloween, as well as handful of small fun client projects during this bridal off season.

 I'd thought I would share this weeks project. I'm really pleased with it! I told my client, I didn't want to give it to her; because I wanted it.
Micaela wanted to jazz up a few formal items in her closet for upcoming events. This one was a slip-like stretch satin, bias cut gown. So we cut off the floor length, to make it to hit just below the knee. I used the cut off material to make the bolero. The dress had lining, which was great, as it let me line the jacket as well.
I happen to be glancing through last month's Vogue and saw lots of bright jeweled tones lined up for the fall season. I suggested we overlay the bolero with the beautiful navy blue chantilly lace, which I had been dying to find an excuse to use since Tissu Fine Fabrics ordered it in.
We used a bolero pattern, I knocked off a wedding gown bolero a few years ago. This particular bolero has a nice dramatic collar that flatters a lot of neckline and I love it because it is fun and quick bolero to sew up. Well the jacket part, the lace took extra time to properly control and hand tack.
I suggested a small puffed sleeve. In combination with the slip-like dress, it gives a feminine touch to the drama of the collar and color combination. Micaela also plans to wear this bolero with another cute dress in her closet that's a bright magenta pink. Another jewel tone combination I kept noticing in Vogue.

I've also started to book for next year. I'm so excited to sew up these wonderful new creations, I've been discussing with future brides!

Whew!

Nothing like a busy first two weeks to really make a month fly by fast! Thanks to Utah's Fashion week I've barely had time to take a breath! 

Lily Bride was a part of several wonderful fashion events this year! 

 First it was Fashion's Night Out at Fashion Place Mall. Here I showed mostly my vintage looks.

 After that it was off to the VIP party for Art Meets Fashion. Super model Dani here, who is running for Miss Utah this year is modeling my cocktail dress "Bliss" Follow Dani's journey in the running for the crown HERE

Next it was Art Meets Fashion, a fundraising fashion and art event to raise money for various causes and places. This year it was held at the beautiful Red Butte Gardens. It made for a very classy and stunning show. All the proceeds from tickets and art sold went directly to Red Butte. After soaking in some great fashion by Sopie St. Clair, Beckett & Robb and Nephi Garcia, we were treated to a jazz band ensamble and mini cupcakes that were devine. It was a great evening spent with some of my fellow designer friends. 

And last I showed 14 of my newest samples from the last year at IN Weekly's Fashion Night Out at the Gallivin Center. It was so much fun to be a featured designer! 

Fashion Night Out!

I'm excited to tell you that I will be participating in two fashion events in the next two weeks. So if you have been waiting for your chance to see some Lily Bride Designs walk the runway. Here it is!

September 6th Fashion's Night Out. Fashion Place Mall 6-9pm
I will be showing 5 of my vintage gowns in the 7pm vintage collections mini runway show.
But come early! There will be two other mini fashion shows before and after featuring general ready-to-wear fashions and evening wear featuring all local talent!
For more information on this event go HERE.

And even better! Make sure to clear your schedule for the night of the 14th for Fashion Night Out, hosted by In Weekly Magazine. I will be walking the runway with 14 of my dresses! This is one of Utah's BIGGEST fashion shows and will also feature lots of other amazing local talent. I got to attend last year and had a blast! Be sure to stop by my booth to sign up on my email list to hear about the release of a limited 2013 collection I've started on!
For information on FNO, visit their Facebook page.

New featured gown!

Meet Grace.
Once again photographed by the Amazing Zuzanna Audette. One of Utah's finest fashion photographers. This was from a shoot we did together last November.

This was the dress (well the bodice at least) I did over and over again, while sewing for Art Meets Fashion. I had this vision in my head, I knew the fabrics and feel I wanted. Nothing I was doing or trying was working. The first try, the draping was too bulky. The second looked like a bad prom dress from the 50s. Yes, I wanted a vintage feel, but not for it too look like it literally walked out of a retro shop. So I tore it apart again, after spending a whole evening beading it.

I was totally happy with the skirt, the color of the silk dupioni was right and the  english net over lay with chevron ruffles turned out perfect, but that dratted bodice! I was racking my brain for something. Then while driving home one night, there was an amazing sunset. The sky was exactly the same color of blue I had ordered in, but around where the sun was starting to set, there was that beautiful peach color, soft and fresh. I knew right then what I was going to do.

Lucky for me Yellow Bird fabrics had just enough of that dreamy peach 4ply silk crepe to make a 1950's batwing blouse.

This is one of my favorite, favorite pieces I did for AMF. It was that surprise gown I didn't expect to create. I love when that happens!

I also love when I let someone else style my designs. It helps me think outside my box and give it a fresh new look. Which is what I did with D'Arcy last month. She gave the grace gown a sweet new 1920's inspired look and I have to say, I'm in love and you can see the results HERE on her blog.

Enjoy!

Here is my latest project! A small collection of 1920's style head pieces...or head pieces to be that is. Local photographer D'Arcy Benincosa ordered these fun pieces for an upcoming bridal fashion shoot of hers. 

I've recently done a few collaborations with D'Arcy and I was so impressed by her work. I hired her to come photography my family and document the bundle of little boy joy that joined our house in June. I got to see a sneak peak of his baby session. I. Am. So. Darn. Excited to see the rest of them!! I love her soft journalistic approach to photography, she has a knack for catching such amazing expressions on her subjects. 

With the release of The Great Gatsby coming up, other  popular late 19-teen's, and 1920's period films, T.V. specials and series. I'm noticing a lot more bridal trends from this era, like soft flow-y chiffon dresses, romantic curly up-do's with sparkling head wraps, floral fascinators and hair-pins.

First ( bottom centered) we were inspired by Daisy's jeweled head piece from Baz's upcoming version of The Great Gatsby. I used a beaded, rhinestone trim for the sides and hand beaded the large center medallion  Copying the flower design in the trim and adding the dangle piece that will sit aside mid-forehead. 

She also wanted a floral piece ( middle left) to be able to wrap into a romantic hair do and could also be worn like 1920's flapper headpiece. It's made out of silk dupioni in blush and ivory silk organza. The center of the flowers are hand beaded in Swarovski crystal and sequins. 

The lace piece to the right of the blush floral piece, was not finished in this picture. Later I hand beaded silver, clear beads and rhinestone gems to give it some sparkle. 

And lastly the white silk organza floral piece at the very top sits a top a full fingertip length veil. Which will be attached to a traditional 1920's Juliet bridal cap. I'm still working on this one, the shaping of it is taking much longer than I expected. 

I had a lot of fun making these head pieces, I've forgotten how much I love millinery work. I can't wait to see the results of the up coming shoot! 

Back in Action and Angela's bridals (finally!)

So I promise I've had a really good excuse for being absent from my blog for almost two months. We welcomed an adorable little boy into our life, born June 19th. We are pleased as punch and adjusting very well, so well in fact; I'm re-opening my studio sooner than expected for fall/winter weddings with limited contracts. Book now!

For months I have been promising to post pictures of my featured bride Angela (process of making a wedding dress) and her bridals in her blush dupioni wedding gown. Photography by Jessica Janae Photography. 
Prepare to be wowed. Angela made one stunning bride. I got to go to her reception, it was so fun to see her rock her dress in her own back yard. (which is AMAZING) Tables decor'd in white, tangerine and lime with hints of yellow. A yummy dessert bar, help-your-self take home candy bar and THE BEST chocolate wedding cake I have ever had, decorated in ruffled silver fondant.
Her hair and make-up was done by Allure Imaging. I'm in love with her up-do, so romantic!

 Each seam is top stitched in metallic silver thread. The bodice and sleeve feature pleated details.

 You can't really see it in this picture, but her back seam has rhinestone buttons down the back.

               The skirt is over-layed in a dreamy blush english netting, I love how it softens the dupioni.

                                                           Pockets are awesome.

This dress was so much fun to make and Angela was a dream to work with. 

You should take some time and check out my Facebook fan page to see some sneak peek photos of a shoot featuring my Aida gown done by the talented D'Arcy Benincosa Photography. They are stunning! Be sure to give my page a "like" as well!

New featured gown

So the wedding season is slowing down for the Utah area, whew! It's been a busy one. I'm very much ready for some quality R&R to let my hands and fingers have a break!
I will be ready once again to take clients come around August/September, so book your appointments for your fall/winter weddings now.

But fear not! I promise to not leave you hanging on posts. As I have LOTS of pictures I have not yet posted from all my new samples from the last year.

Plus, I have been promised pictures from all my recent brides and I can't wait to show you the rest of the results of my busy summer season. AND I have just received the STUNNING bridals from my featured bride; Angela to share with you as well in upcoming posts. She is the bride who I documented the process of making a custom dress for.

In the mean time I wanted to share with you one of my newest samples from the Art Meets Fashion show.

This is the Marie gown, a two piece stunner in a soft sea blue-gray. The contoured corset accentuates the figure, giving it an old world feel while the fluttery flowers across the top of the corset and floor length skirt with flowing bias strips give a unique modern feel. The skirt moves, flows and flutters beautifully when in movement. This was one of my favorites from the show, I particularly love how photographer Zuzanna Audette caught the romantic feminine feel, I was going for in this design.
I was inspired by the movie Marie Antoinette (the one with Kirsten Dunst as Marie) I was instantly drawn to the color palette of the costumes that designer Milena Canonero used. All the soft tones of green, blue, pink and blue-grays were so yummy and I was particularly drawn the "I want candy" scene  where she indulges in all the fabric, dresses, shoes and jewelry.

Enjoy!

Jeanette

 

Jeanette knows what she wants in life and that also goes for what she envisioned with her custom gown I made for her company's annual conference is Reno.

She had a vision of a white iridescent gown with a high dramatic ruffled collar and open neckline. We did an asymmetrical waistline that flowed into a slightly fit-n-flared A-line skirt. 

That stunning necklace of hers, is her trademark necklace. She has worn it to each of her conferences and  it graces her thank you post cards each year. I found rhinestone applique pieces to match the beautiful aura borealis stones. 

The iridescent fabric is a silk chiffon lurex, meaning the iridescent-ness of it is literally spray painted on to the silk chiffon. I have never worked with a fabric like that before and I ended up really liking it. I've been dreaming up some new cool creations of my own I'd love to make with it.

I kept telling people I felt like a fairy god-mother making the dress as some of the iridescent would rub off on my hands and clothes while I worked. I would sparkle like a Cullen vampire after emerging from my sewing room :) The effect was particularly cool if I was wearing black. Much of my equipment and sewing tools still sparkle even after being done with the dress almost a month now.

If someone were to ask me what is the best part of my job? First I'd say it's making someone one happy on a very special day and while this dress wasn't for a wedding; Jeanette called the gown "The wedding dress I never had" 

And second, I'd have to say it's the people I get to meet and work with. They can be so inspiring and Jeanette was so fun to get to know while I made her dress. She has a drive in life that I found very inspiring to continue to work hard at what I love and passionate about. 

Heidi's Gown

 Heidi contacted me back in December for her March wedding. I was excited to take her on, as I was confident I knew what she wanted when she described her design over phone. I was very pleasantly surprised when we meet in person that, while I got the design right; She surprised me by picking the lace she did. Let me tell you this has been one of my favorite gowns I have ever made.

 Heidi choose a crepe back satin in light ivory for the skirt and under bodice and a stunning cotton crocheted styled lace for the bodice overlay with a high v-shaped Queen Anne collar and gore in the train. There are satin covered buttons all the way down the back.

 The bride accessorized with a vintage hair comb, and jewelry in soft antique gold tones to match her beautiful gold, pearl and diamond ring. I thought her bouquet was so fun as well, loved the red lilies!

 I loved this lady's sense of style and spunk. She is ahead of the style game in her choice of lace. Cotton crocheted lace is for sure going to be a big trend in the upcoming bridal and fashion seasons, it was all over the fabric sourcing show I attended in L.A. last month for the upcoming '13 season.

Congrats to you Heidi and your new hubby! You looked beautiful on your special day and I loved being apart of creating your custom gown!

Bridals photography by: Anna James
Wedding day photography by: J. Taylor Photography

New featured gown!: Alice

This is Alice, a flirty, fun tea-length, sheer raglan lace sleeve vintage beauty. Made of a satin under gown, a threaded chiffon overlay with a gorgeous alencon lace cut out along the hem, key-hole neckline and belted waist make up this truly one-of-a-kind gown.

Pair with a fun broach bouquet and fabulous vintage jewelry, top it off with a stunning bride cage veil or fascinator and you've got a look that would be hard to forget.

Photography: Zuzanna Audette

Hair: Heggy Gonzalez

Make Up: Daniela Rowson

Suit: Roberto Leone

Sneak Peek!

Angela is getting her bridals done this week and I thought you'd like to get a sneak peek at the finished product. Enjoy!

LA textile show and district shopping!

I got a chance to attend the L.A. textile show Monday & Tuesday. I had never been before. The show was unique, as I got to see what type of fabrics would be in for spring 2013. It was so fun to see what type of fabrics could be walking down the runway this fall as designer's work on their spring/summer '13 collections.

Here are some trends I've noticed for the bridal, formals and evening wear: Embellished laces with 3D details, all with a vintage feel. Feather embellished fabrics, big florals, cotton crotched laces, vintage cotton fabrics like viole, batiste and silk/cotton blends.

The picture below is my spoils from the L.A. fabric district where I picked up some hard to find locally fabrics and trims for brides I am sewing for, for their summer weddings. I can't wait to sew them up!!

pictures!!!!

I've gotten a few of my long-awaited photos! yay!

These stunners are from the Art Meets Fashion promo shoot last July. Featuring my Jayne dress, a silk chiffon and charmeuse empire waist stunner from my 2010 collection. (Which is on sale!, email me for pricing:) It walks like a dream and my model who wore this gown told me: "It's like walking on a cloud."

What's really cool about the full length shot? It was recently featured on Vouge.it! (Italian Vouge's website)

Model: Taylor Ann Harmon (McCarty Talent) Make-up: Daniela Rowson Hair: Heggy Gonzalez

Photography: Zuzanna Audette Jewlery: Katie Waltman Jewlery

Colors!

I have been waiting on a few pictures, which is why I haven't been posting much this last week or so. I hope I can get my hands on the pictures I am waiting for soon! But in the mean time I had to share .....

THIS Design-seeds.com

If you don't know, I'm a big fan of Pinterest. I love, love, love it! It has been THE best design research tool I have so far come across. Plus I have found SO many links to cool websites, blogs and web-stores to explore.

This is my latest site, I've really enjoyed playing around on. I kept seeing these really cool color schemes based on real life photos all over Pinterest. The picture would be on the left and the color swatches on the right. So I finally followed the link to this gals' blog and LOVE it. She has schemes all organized into themes, pick a theme like The Sea and find several color schemes all based on ocean colors from waves, shells, corals, beaches, boats, reflections, sea creatures etc...

What a great idea for helping you pick paint colors, wedding colors, and design theme colors...You could design your whole wedding/home decor around one of these photos. I'm so excited to continue to explore and see this gal's love and fascination with the wonderful world of color...

Coming up!

Angela's dress is almost done. Still waiting on that rhinestone trim (it was backordered) and then I will reveal the final photo once I get some of her going-to-be-fabulous bridals, which are going to be taken by the fantastic Jessica Janae Photography . I can't wait to see them, I know they are going to be beautiful.

But to keep your curiosity going on what's in the works here in my little studio. Here is a photo of the sketch for the mid-summer wedding of Cindy. Who is getting married in July in Montana, we are using silk 4-ply (my favorite, favorite fabric ever to sew, it's so fluid and buttery soft....mmmmm) silk chiffon and an embroidered net in blues and greens florals. Cindy brought in a handful of photo's of musts for her gown. Deep V-neck back, kimono sleeves, and color! To wrap up the finishing design details I was inspired by the nineteen-teens and Downton Abby. I can't wait to start on this one, I love gowns like this. Soft romantic, ultra chic and feminine, plus this is going to look stunning against the stunning sky's and landscapes of Montana!

Angela's Third Fitting.

This dress has been so fun to make, I have been breezing right through it! Here are some shots from our third fitting. We are almost done! Just another adjustment to the fit of the sleeve and then I can put in the zipper and hem. The pleated sleeve detail. It will have a rhinestone button at the point of the pleats. Each seam on the bodice is decorated with silver top stitching.
The front of the dress with it's hand sewing pleated point empire waist detail. The black is not going to be there, we were just using it for a reference for the rhinestone trim we are waiting on.
A little bit fuzzy, but a full shot of the gown.
And the back, It is going to have rhinestone buttons on the top half.

Angela's Second Fitting

In getting ready for her fitting, I first (after cutting out my pattern) flat line the silk to the coutil ( a fancy fabric to help control shape in corset work) This is done by pinning and sewing each section one at a time.
I then get to pin all my corset panels together and sew them up!
Next I control all my seams by using a herringbone stitch (all done by hand) to help make the seams lie flat. This is very important, as it prevents any seams from folding funny or moving. You'll find it is only done in couture work and not much in ready to wear gowns.

I didn't get to taking any pictures of her in the gown this fitting. (I did make an effort to pull out my camera though!) But we didn't have to make many adjustments to the fit. Just an adjustment on the shape of the sleeve. I've also pinned out where I am doing to place the decorative pleats.

Featured!

My 1920's inspired gown, I draped in the Cecile Pelous draping workshop is featured today on Utah Bride Blog! Scroll to a few posts down to see all the images from our shoot.

The gown is made from silk chiffon with silver pinstripes, it features a bias cut bodice and skirt that moves like a dream. Accenting the dress is a delicate rhinestone trim along the sleeves, waist and neckline.

Thanks for the wonderful post UBB!

I also highly recommend Camilla Binks photography and Allure Image. They are such an amazing team to work with! Also the amazing people at Cucina Nassi, they were so great to have us come and shoot there. The building is beautiful, spacious and would be a wonderful place to host your reception. I wish I did!

Click HERE to see the UBB post.

Angela's First Fitting

I got to have my first fitting with Angela saturday. She is the bride who I am documenting the custom design process. I hope it will be an insite to those looking to have a custom gown made; It's quite the process and when you want something truly unique, it's worth it. I took about a million measurements of Angela. And to my pleasure I found her measurements were almost the same size as my dress form! Yay! I found the style of corset top she wanted was easier to drape, than to draft a pattern. I use cotton muslin to drape and a special tape to map out my design lines. I then transfer it to paper and make a pattern.
I then cut out the pattern in muslin and this becomes my mock-up. This is where I start taking in the excess, by pinning and shaping the mock-up to Angela's body. I use my pin markings to transfer any adjustments to my pattern. This seams like a lot of extra work. But it is worth it as it saves me from having to waste any fabric
Re-shaping the neckline. We also shortened her sleeves a good deal. They will now hit right above the elbow.
After working on her skirt pattern this week, I decided I hated my frist draft of it. So the day before her fitting I re-designed it. Here I'm showing her the new drape of her skirt. Since I re-did it, I didn't get a chance to finish it before the fitting. It's now more of vintage full ball-gown skirt, much better from the funny A-line one I had earlier. Both of us are now very happy with it!

Angela's fabric also came in this last week. It is the most beautiful shade of peachy pink. I'm so excited to use it!