The wedding dress
When Scott and I got engaged, we agreed our celebration wouldn't be a conventional picture book wedding with all the trimmings. Despite a vivid memory of drawing princesses in big snowball ball gowns when I was about 5, I had no desires for a white floor length gown. But what to wear?
I was keen not to make my outfit myself. Being an experienced sewer, not necessarily put off by Vogue Patterns "Advanced" ratings, I have sewn myself a number of party frocks over the years. I didn't want to make another one for such unique and special occasion. For me, it would be particularly special to buy a dress from a designer I love. The pieces I usually buy from designers are durable garments I can wear to work, that would be difficult for me to create (or replicate), and usually on sale. To buy something gorgeous, precious, that made me smile (and look good) was my aim.
I tried on a few frocks here and there, but nothing seemed to simultaneously be "me" and appropriate for a celebration (let alone within budget). I was keen to find something that would really, truly, be wearable again (having been bridesmaid several times, and having parted ways with various frocks of that "of course you can wear it again" variety, without having ever having considered taking them off the hanger after the requisite event).
In the end, after a few brief shopping expeditions, I succeeded to find the perfect outfit where I had only dared to dream I might. I finally summoned up the courage to enter Akira's store in the GPO in Melbourne, and had fun with Scott and the wonderfully friendly and engaging sales assistant Daina, playing dress-ups, trying on at least a dozen outfits until we struck gold with a combination that Scott selected. Daina was very impressed, and eager to tell Akira about the outfit we came up with.
I can't tell you how excited it makes me. The care of the craftsmanship and hand detailing. The combination of cotton and silk. The way the fabric is pleated and tucked. There is white, and black, mingling Japanese and western wedding traditions, and being completely Melbourne too.* It shows off my body's most attractive features and cleverly conceals the remainder. It's feminine without fussiness. It's simple and stylish, glamorous yet comfortable. And it was designed by Akira Isogawa.
Just a teaser for you now- more pictures after it's debut.
* Akira is from Japan, where I understand it is traditional to wear black for weddings, and black is always the new black in Melbourne
I was keen not to make my outfit myself. Being an experienced sewer, not necessarily put off by Vogue Patterns "Advanced" ratings, I have sewn myself a number of party frocks over the years. I didn't want to make another one for such unique and special occasion. For me, it would be particularly special to buy a dress from a designer I love. The pieces I usually buy from designers are durable garments I can wear to work, that would be difficult for me to create (or replicate), and usually on sale. To buy something gorgeous, precious, that made me smile (and look good) was my aim.
I tried on a few frocks here and there, but nothing seemed to simultaneously be "me" and appropriate for a celebration (let alone within budget). I was keen to find something that would really, truly, be wearable again (having been bridesmaid several times, and having parted ways with various frocks of that "of course you can wear it again" variety, without having ever having considered taking them off the hanger after the requisite event).
In the end, after a few brief shopping expeditions, I succeeded to find the perfect outfit where I had only dared to dream I might. I finally summoned up the courage to enter Akira's store in the GPO in Melbourne, and had fun with Scott and the wonderfully friendly and engaging sales assistant Daina, playing dress-ups, trying on at least a dozen outfits until we struck gold with a combination that Scott selected. Daina was very impressed, and eager to tell Akira about the outfit we came up with.
I can't tell you how excited it makes me. The care of the craftsmanship and hand detailing. The combination of cotton and silk. The way the fabric is pleated and tucked. There is white, and black, mingling Japanese and western wedding traditions, and being completely Melbourne too.* It shows off my body's most attractive features and cleverly conceals the remainder. It's feminine without fussiness. It's simple and stylish, glamorous yet comfortable. And it was designed by Akira Isogawa.
Just a teaser for you now- more pictures after it's debut.
* Akira is from Japan, where I understand it is traditional to wear black for weddings, and black is always the new black in Melbourne
posted by Clementine's Shoes at 8:22 PM
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