Authentic Creatives & designers a dying group

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.

I’m going to rock this year. You should too. 🤘🏻

Golden Party Dress-Design 9 (50 Designs in 50 Days Challenge)

Here we have a size 10 Gold Party Dress with panelled bodice and gathered skirt ***AWesome****.

Made with Metallic fabric that is so shiny!!!!!You will be the blingiest sparkliest and prettiest girl at every party with this Secret Culture original. It is fitted to a standard size 10 so will only fit a girl that is a perfect 10.If you are larger or smaller you will have to be fitted by a dressmaker to ensure that the dress maintains that perfect figure hugging silhouette.With the bust if you are smaller or larger you can always wear sticky cups to make your bust size increase to fit.If your hips are larger this won’t make a huge difference as the skirt is gathered and so will flare out around you.

 

Measurement of a perfect 10:

 

Bust: 86cm

Waist: 58cm

Hip: 86cm

Buy it now AU$50.00

Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200880416475#ht_591wt_1186

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/120715409/size-10-gold-party-dress-with-panelled

 

Size 10 Strapless Floral dress “Cup Size B Bust” with top stitched detail on boned structure

This is design 7 of Secret Cultures 50 designs in 50 days challenge!

Here we have petite Size 10 (small make) with measurements 

 

Bust: 84 cm

 

Waist: 60 cm

 

Hips: 84 cm

 

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

 

Bright Purple & Orange Pleated Flower Pot Formal Dress

 

 

Upcycled Designer Dress!!!!

This is for someone who is just that little bit unique!

Here we have a Bright Purple & Orange Pleated Flower Pot Formal Dress  made from Satin fabric.

Cross over straps and covered buttons.

Organza Flower

The skirt is a fish tail that falls quite nicely.

It has areas exposed on the back and side yet still covers the bust quite neatly.

Side lap zipper.

Standard Size 12.

Made from Recycled Fabrics!!!

 

 

 
Buy it now $99.95

On Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200876969785#ht_572wt_1186

On Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/120013538/bright-purple-orange-pleated-flower-pot

 

 

Hello you beautiful emerald!!!!Design 5 of my 50 designs in 50 days challenge

Here we have a short and seductive size small emerald green slip suitable for sleeping in and wearing around the house.The satin fabric is soft and silky making it feel lovely on your skin.There are two lace bows embellishing the front emphasising your femininity and just making you look so cute as well.

Buy now $24.95

On Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200876958567#ht_500wt_1203

On Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/120010150/emerald-green-satin-night-dress-or-slip

Pink floral Raglan sleeved sun dress for fuller figured women 50 designs in 50 days challenge day 4

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

Available for $39.95

On Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200875749102#ht_549wt_1186

On Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119731215/pink-floral-raglan-sleeved-sun-dress-for

 

Day 3 of 50 Designs in 50 days brings us the Floral sundress

This is what I designed for day 3 of my 50 designs in 50 days challenge:

Here we have a lovely floral Sun dress/Kaftan that is belted at the waist to accentuate your womanly curves. It has a very pretty feminine floral pattern. It is made with a light weight sheer Cotton fabric that 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 size of the garment means it is suitable for any size up to a 14 and the waist belt should be tied to suit your personal fit.

 

This is a One Off and is made in Vintage fabric. The design will not be mass produced in this fabric in the future as there are limited amounts of this fabric available…..and I have already planned to make a dress with what I have left over.

The design is available for $39.95

Available for purchase on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200875333987#ht_859wt_1186

Available for purchase on Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/119650901/sun-dress-kaftan-belted-waist-with

50 Designs in 50 Days

I just had this fantastic idea!!!!!!!

For a bit of fun and to help me get motivated in designing again on a competitive level and also to fill my design store on ETSY  and EBAY with Secret Culture Designer dresses and so fourth I have come up with the idea 50 designs in 50 days. Each day I will design a one off garment or outfit pattern made and entirely sewn by myself. Each piece I will then blog about and also I will upload a photograph of the finished garment on a mannequin or model and link it to my ETSY and EBAY store so that you can especially buy the piece that you are interested in. Sooooooooooooo excited that I have the designer bug already so lets call this day one shall we:)I will be back!!!!!!

 

Let’s Talk on Trends

I have just found out you can blog via email!Oh the wonders of the technological age.I am attaching my trend search on mini dresses, pants and skirts.I am not sure if they will work this way so please bare with me.

monochromatic.docx
pants.docx
skirts.docx

Wow!It does work.How truly amazing. Anyway I have attached some images of what I like and think will be around this year for you to look at. They are word documents that can be downloaded and adapted.Don’t worry no spyware or viruses.I am just not that remarkable to add them;)

1920’s screen prints made into bags

I really love the 1920’s!

So much so that I am creating six beautiful bags.Each is a one-off and I am using a range of screen prints that I have created of this fabulous 1920’s styled gal.Each has it’s own interesting colour palette for those women who know what colours that suit them!

1920's Flapper Screen Print