In these times, it's nice to take a moment and read something that will put a smile on your face and take you out of the crazy world we're living through. If you have something you'd like to contribute to the community, I'd love to publish it!
Friend of America Josh, Jules C., has a wonderful story about creating a wedding dress for her daughter, Hannah! Over to Jules!
I have always dreamed of creating a wedding dress for my daughter Hannah. I imagined that this would be the pinnacle of my work as a fashion designer. Then it happened. She was engaged! There was only one problem. My daughter lives in Melbourne, Australia and I live in Chicago, USA. I decided that the 9,670-mile distance would not become an obstacle to creating a luxurious wedding dress!
A collaborative design
A twelve-month design process began. Via email, Hannah sent a selection of styles she liked. During Facetime sessions, we discussed ideas, fabric types, color options & beading possibilities. Samples of lace, tulle, beads, & pearls sent to Australia became a regular occurrence. With Hannah’s favorite ideas in mind, I designed a five-piece wedding ensemble to be worn in several ways, yet to look like one wedding dress.
An international affair
Over the course of two trips to Australia, a unique wedding dress ensemble emerged, featuring a fully beaded sheath dress with cut-out back, tulle skirt, peplum & pearled belt.
On my first trip, the patterns were drafted & a toile stitched of the complete ensemble. I wanted to perfect the style & fit before my return to the US.
A couture creation
Back in Chicago I fully beaded the blush pink Schiffli lace dress & peplum pieces with Swarovski crystals & rose gold pearls, pale pink glass beads & Japanese seed beads. This process took four months working six days a week. I also beaded a narrow belt with freshwater pearls. Other sections of the ensemble were partially stitched. I also made a two-layered circular tulle skirt to perfectly match with the blush pink lace. The tulle skirt remained see-through to allow the sparkle of the crystals on the sheath dress to shine through. Six weeks before the wedding I returned to Australia. I carefully packed all the pieces of the ensemble (lying flat) into my hand luggage. I was busy from day one of arriving in Australia. I set up my sewing machine in a hotel room and completed stitching the wedding dress.
The wedding day
On a beautiful crisp August winter’s day, Hannah and Victor were married in an old country church in Taradale, Victoria. She looked exquisite in her blush pink wedding dress and gorgeous fragrant bouquet of delicate florals. For the evening reception, the tulle skirt and lace peplum were removed. Hannah wore a faux fur jacket (which I also created) to add warmth on a winter’s evening.
Every stitch of the wedding ensemble was truly a labor of love from a mother to her precious daughter. The photographs were taken by my son, a Melbourne based wedding photographer who captured the magic of the day.
