Spring 2013 Collection Inspiration

 

As I finalize my Fall 2012 Collection, photo shoot with the amazing Abi Q coming soon, I am already inspired and in the process of designing my Spring 2013 Collection.  I have always loved vintage, glamorous Hollywood...the days of Ingrid Bergman and Rita Hayworth, the roll out of the red carpet at the Academy Awards.  The days when Hollywood starlets were looked at as iconic, beautiful, sexy and alluring.  You had Bette Davis, Gene Tierney, Lauren Bacall....all amazing and gorgeous.  The clothes that they wore were impeccable and grand.  So, my next Collection gathers inspiration from these fabulous women and their incredible clothing.  I am looking to recreate this feel with a sexier more modern twist.  Think...grand, glamorous, chic, sexy.  Perfect for any wedding, or maybe even a red carpet event!

Wookie

So, as my days grow more and more busy...my little man Wookie grows more and more tired.  Here he is once again taking a doggie nap in the Studio.  He loves to catch the warm rays of sun that find their way through the skylight, a perfect spot for some shut eye.  The great photo was captured by my Bride Elena's brother who is also a professional photograper, Rafael Agustin Delgado.

Noelle & Teo

My Bride Noelle just happened upon the Salon when she and her family were walking about Pasadena looking for gowns.  As they walked into the Salon and looked around, Noelle decided to try on a few different gowns.  But, once she put on the feather chiffon ball gown from one of my previous Collections, Noelle simply fell in love, and realized that this was the one. Her fittings always included her Mom, Grandmother, and sister, and on occasions, some of her close friends and were always so pleasurable and fun.  In the end, not only did Noelle decide she wanted me to create her gown, but also all eight of her Bridesmaids, which I did with an open back alencon lace gown from my Fall 2010 Collection. Noelle's mother was so happy with her gown, she told me that she wished that I could dress all of her daughters...and now that Noelle and Teo are enjoying their married life,  her wish has come true, as I work on her Noelle's sister's gown for her upcoming wedding!

The beautiful wedding and reception were held at Plump Jack Squaw Valley Inn in Squaw Valley at Lake Tahoe.  All of the wonderful images and amazing highlights of the event were captured by Santa Barbara based photographer Jessica Fairchild.

Congratulations Noelle & Teo!

Steffani & Linton

My Bride Steffani was actually referred to me by my number one fan, my husband.  When my husband found out that his colleague Linton (Ronan) was engaged, he told him that he should have his fiance come see me to discuss her gown.  When Steffani met with me, she told me that she liked different elements from all the different gowns that she had seen.  So, with that in mind, I set forth on designing a gown that would best embody her vision.  We clicked right from the start and were already making lunch plans before we knew it!  Fittings usually included family and friends, and were always fun, positive and very energetic.  Her final gown was an alencon lace bodice with a tulle ball gown skirt, which changed as the fittings progressed and her gown came to life.  I added a blush colored satin belt, which played well with her wedding color scheme, as well fabricated her veil.

The wedding and reception were beautifully captured by Ron & Dominique of Love Me Sailor Photography.  For more images from Steffani & Linton's wedding go to 100 Layer Cake and see all of the great pics and wonderful memories that Love Me Sailor truly captured.

Congratulations Steffani & Linton!

The Process of Design: Part 2 (Raquel)

In Part 2 of the Design Process, we move onto the fabrication of the muslin pattern and the fitting of this onto Raquel.
The first step is to take the Design, which was previously approved by Raquel, and create patterns that will be used to fabricate the actual gown. All of the patterns not only correspond to the gown, but more specifically to Raquels's measurements. In total, I usually take up to fifteen different measurements.
Next, I transfer the patterns onto a light weight cotton fabric called muslin. Here is where the physical dress takes shape. This preliminary dress is cut and sewn just as the final gown will be. It is at this stage that the first of the alterations will occur. Of course, because Raquel actually flies in from back East, we schedule two days of fittings to best utilize her time and schedule. This allows us to really pin point the fit of the gown and to establish what I will need to fabricate the final gown.

So now that the gown is on my Bride, I make any alterations to the Design to flatter a particular area over another, or maybe collectively we decide to eliminate a part of the gown altogether. In any case, this is the stage where all of the necessary changes can occur.
Now that we have made all of the adjustments to the muslin, I then take it apart and transfer this new information onto the final patterns. Once the patterns have been adjusted, we are ready for the next step...the creation of the actual gown from the inside out with what will be the final fabric.
Stay tuned for that when Raquel returns...

Fall 2012 Fabric Sneak Peek

As I come to the completion of my Fall 2012 Collection, I wanted to share a few of the fabrics which have inspired my design process and have added to the Moroccan flair of the gowns.  This first image is of a lace that was shown to me by one of my fabric vendors, that instantly captivated me and transported me to Morocco.

After that, I searched out other fabrics that would continue the inspiration and fit well with the design essence that I was already working with.  As you can see, there are rich golden-carmel silk dupionis, glimmering sand colored tule, and unusual architectural inspired laces.  All of these not only add to the exotic feel of this Collection,. but also inspire the direction that each gown takes.  Stay tuned for the Collection Release....

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is here...the day of the year that should remind us of the love and passion that we share with our special someone...
It should be the day that you remember what made you fall in love with your partner, the day that your heart skipped an extra beat...
It is a day to remember what makes you laugh together, cry together, be together...
A day to rekindle, to forgive,  to say I'm sorry...
A day to make love and to be back in love.
So...make the best of it and make it last.  Remember to love...
Happy Valentine's to you all....