It’s not every day that you can say you made your best friends wedding dress but in 2020 with two months and a fairly random and unpredictable schedule we designed and made her dress together. It was the most special project Ive worked on in all the years I have been sewing. She looked so beautiful on her day and I was so proud of my oldest friend Georgina finally taking the next step of her life with her Soulmate Brooke. Together these girls are going to be such an amazing team!
The Wedding was held of the 5th of December at Culburra beach in front of the surfhouse with the Reception inside the surfhouse. They had amazingly perfect weather as they were photographed on the beach out the front of the surfhouse. Everything was so beautiful. Brooke and Georgina had truly surpassed all expectation of their special day held by all attendees.
Making the wedding dress we had some inspiration starting off. As it was a lesbian wedding I wanted to dye her dress all different colours of the rainbow but Georgina wanted a more traditional look. something floaty but fitted. Ivory lace but no beading. Or if there was beading quite minimal. It had to be something that accentuated her beauty without taking away or being too over the top. She looked perfect on the day.
“Today is not the start of your Partnership. Your partnership began when you met. Today is just another day where we Celebrate your Union and Lifelong committment”
Ashleigh Renee Evans The Designer Dressmaker Secret Culture
Designers and original makers are dying out. We are going extinct and being replaced with big machinery and cheap overseas labour. Not only that whenever we make something that is authentic it is copied. That I don’t mind. I just want to let people know that working with our hands and a sewing machine is an art form and the fact that you meet someone who can sketch an image, draw their own pattern, cut and sew from start to finish is rare nowadays and I’m amongst the youngest in this field in Australia that can make anything from the beginning.
When you look at a dress in a retail store that costs $350 it has went through so many hands for each piece and the fabric sourced all over the world but made in less than an hour. When an authentic creative makes you something for $350 +++ it would of taken many more hours or days to produce. The sewing of retail clothing is hardly done in Australia nowadays and is mostly done in India, Bali, China, Phillipines, Turkey etc where the dollar is cheaper. I don’t mind that but do not compare an authentic designer or creative who makes one off designs or capsule collections to the mass produced market or to something you buy from the retail store.
For 19 + years I have been slowly learning my craft. Just bits a pieces here and there picking up every piece of knowledge that I can from people, from books and just generally learning as much as I can of anything at all that I can apply to my field. It is my obsession and my dream. I am young to be running my own business as a Designer Dressmaker but I created my job because I saw a need in the market. Plus until I started calling myself The Designer Dressmaker nobody else had put those words together. The decline of dressmaking and especially dressmakers that make their own patterns is obvious in Australia adding further value to what is left. We are a dime a dozen. Help contribute to Australian dressmakers or local dressmakers if you aren’t Australian because otherwise we may just die out and who shall you buy an authentic designer dress from.
Born in Gibraltor and I know your like where the hell is Gibraltor or I was anyway so I looked it up. It’s a territory on the edge of Spain that is British and a part of the UK.
John Galliano is both British and Spanish and his outgoing creativity and attitude to life has made him so very successful!
Named British designer of the year four times and ran Givenchy in 1995 Christian Dior in 1996 and John Galliano 1988 to 2011 followed by Maison Margiela which he is currently running.
Juan Galliano whose mother was a Flamenco teacher actually was teased a lot in English boys grammar because of his clothes being flamboyant and interesting.
Galliano graduated from Saint Martins school of art in 1984 with first collection “les Incroyables” being inspired by the French Revolution. Which was a great success and was sold at Browns the retailer.
After some time with his own label John Galliano went bankrupt in 1990 and even though he was financially at wits end he knew what he wanted and he didn’t give up! He moved to Paris and began again with financial backing from Moroccan designer Faycal Amor.
His first show hit the runway in 1989 as a part of Paris Fashion Week.
In 1993 Amor cut his backing and Anna Wintour Vogue editor in chief and André Leon Talley European correspondent for Vaniry Fair introduced Galliano to a backer Sao Schlumberger, John Bult and Mark Rice. They backed his label and gave him credibility to market his designs amongst the Parisians.
Amongst all the social drama and the wild party life John Galliano is an amazing designer and will be in the history books of fashion forever.
The dress is beautiful. Absolutely stunning! Embellished in gorgeous Swarovski crystals and fine lace. The silhouette is off the shoulder panelled with a gorgeous fishtail with lace and Swarovski detail. The bodice is covered in lace as well and embellished lightly in each flower with Swarovski crystals.
So I was very excited to have Kimberley in my studio this morning for her very first fitting of this Gothic style Audrey Hepburn designer formal dress. It looks absolutely fabulous. There is still a shoulder wrap to sew on and straps as well as roulette loops and a back panel but WOW she looks fabulous already! Here’s some photos. Sorry about the quality of the photos. I didn’t have time to take too many so just a quick couple off Kimberley’s phone. If you like what you see please follow this blog, Facebook page on the right hand side column or just search secret culture on Instagram!
Here we have an Asian style Tomoko Nagamichi (famous Japanese Pattern Maker)inspired Cocktail Dress. It is joined at the Waist with Double darts on the back of skirt and side darts as the fabric has been wrapped around the figure to remove side seams.Front Tucks for added comfort as you and I both know stomachs expand and decrease. This will mean you will have a little extra room and your dress isn’t likely to pop when you have an extra spring roll at the party.The dress is fitted mainly to the hip and arm and has extra fullness in the bodice for women with a larger bust size.The sleeve has inverted pleats allowing extra room and comfort of movement.On the front bodice we have the Tomoko Nagamichi inspired double bow. This can be tied however you like.There are French darts from the side seams to add extra elegance and poise to the design.The design is fully lined in a black polyester with an invisible zipper.
It is a Strapless Floral dress “Cup Size B Bust” with boned structure.
This is a one-off!!!!
The skirt is a lovely crepe which is gathered to the bodice at the waist. The bodice is made of a polyester.
This is design 7 of Secret Cultures 50 designs in 50 days challenge!If you like what you see follow this blog to find out what will be tomorrows design!
Buy it now $74.95
On EBAY: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200877116875#ht_679wt_1186
On ETSY: https://www.etsy.com/listing/120053556/size-10-strapless-floral-dress-cup-size
This is what I designed for day 4 of my 50 designs in 50 days challenge:
Here we have a lovely pink floral dress that has an elasticated waist. I have added a bright pink vintage satin belt at the waist to accentuate your womanly figure. It has a very pretty feminine floral pattern. It is made with a crepe fabric that has a very slight sheerness about it. Although not sheer enough to reveal your underwear. This is suitable for wearing to the beach or around the house. The qualities of the fabric make it very comfortable.
The sun dress has been sewn in rasant thread which is very good quality and will ensure the longevity of your garment.
The elasticated waist of the garment combined with the wide neck and raglan sleeve means it is suitable for any size from a 14 to an 18 and the waist belt should be tied to suit your personal fit
I decided to design a peplum dress with a twist suitable for a standard size 10.Inspired by the summer heat I wanted it to be pretty and light weight although a stable weave with airy qualities due to the heat that Australia is currently feeling.
This is a one-off and I will not be making another one.
Hi wonderful fans this blog is me asking you what you want!!!!Please leave a comment and have your say on what you want!
Have you ever wanted to buy a dress or a shirt in one particular colour so badly and not been able to find it……..The theme of my up and coming collection is Eden and so I am trying out a dark and seductive color selection. What colours would you like to see in my up and coming collection?
What is the most money you would be willing to pay for a cocktail dress and full length formal/evening dress if you were going to buy one in the future?
If you like leave a comment saying what colours you would not like to see or what you would not pay!
Designers and original makers are dying out. We are going extinct and being replaced with big machinery and cheap overseas labour. Not only that whenever we make something that is authentic it is copied. That I don’t mind. I just want to let people know that working with our hands and a sewing machine is an art form and the fact that you meet someone who can sketch an image, draw their own pattern, cut and sew from start to finish is rare nowadays and I’m amongst the youngest in this field in Australia that can make anything from the beginning.
Secret Culture 
