Rachael had a very special idea when she emailed me regarding her custom dream wedding gown.  She loved the movie Labyrinth and wanted a gown inspired by the famous movie gown worn in the masquerade scene.  Her ideas also incorporated a family tradition to wear an antique gown that had been worn by her Grandmother in 1948, her aunt in 1976, and now she wanted to have it remade for her January 2018 wedding.  

What an honor to be asked to remake an heirloom gown and to have the dream of finally have a bride ask me to make a gown inspired by such a famous design!  Not only was it such a special design but Rachael and I actually attended preschool together in a land and time far away!  We had been acquaintances since we could remember. I was beyond excited, to say the least!  She made one trip to combine fittings to Denver and we were able to get all the details and fitting done in that one meeting.

The gown was made from a beautiful ivory heavy satin.  The satin from the 1940s is so beautiful compared to the satin fabrics available now.  It was heavy and luxurious.  I carefully took apart the bodice to preserve the hand beadwork (she wanted me to work around that detailing).  I was allowed to cut off part of the long beautiful train and utilize the fabric to create the corset. I then was able to make a pattern, create an inner corset by adding boning and added a corset back (so it would fit).  I had to tea dye some of the appliques and lace we found.  I also had to alter the sleeves, add a lining with a decorative organza panel and organza.  She wore a hoop under the gown to hold out the skirt.  Once I had it ready for fitting, we pinned all the laces on the bodice at her one and only fitting and I created a bustle to tie up the train.  We added appliques on the skirt, sleeves, bodice, and train creating sparkle all over the dress.  It was gorgeous!