Rachel Lamb Bridal Design

I've finished this collection dress, and named it Bubble. It's always been Bubble in my head and so it remains, even though in the flesh it's not as bubbly in shape as the original sketch, but that could be a good thing overall. It's made from silk Organza twisted over silk Dupion to give some lovely textural folds to the shape at the hem, with the organza and oversize sequin applique and beading on top of the organza. It could be funky if made in another colour and not used for a wedding at all. It's definitely a non-standard type of dress, whether used for a wedding or not. It's simple, but interesting, and I hope you like it.

  Remember these? (The top swirly thing.) I recall it was commented that they looked like Iced Gems. They are a sewing 'doodle' that I worked on a while back. After wanting to use them for ages, but not feeling that anything was quite right, I've finally got around to using them on a new dress design which is currently still a work-in-progress, but here's a small preview: It's going to be short, light, simple and quirky. Something perhaps to inspire those who would like to wear something a bit different and fun. It's certainly not a traditional gown, but that's the whole point. I'll show some more pictures of the whole thing soon, when it's finished. I hope that you like it.

I tend to forget to put up work in progress, working on wedding gowns tends to be a kind of 'ta-da' type of thing, and I end up only showing the end product. So in an attempt to break this habit, this is what I've been working on this week: The last ever Gaia dress (possibly): Gaia has been one of my most popular gowns ever, and as a result I've kept it going for years and made it for many happy brides either as the sample design, or altered the design slightly to suit the client. Sadly the lace is no longer as easily available as it once was, and I'm thinking of discontinuing the design. I'm not really sure actually. I'm pondering it. Either way, I will design a newer version. I'm designing new gowns and will be making them shortly. These snippets are straight from my sketchbook, so they'll probably change as the design is developed while being manufactured. The quilt progresses. In typical personal-project fashi...

I have been meaning to show this image for a few weeks now, but school holidays were in the way. Now they're over, here it is! This is Sophie whose dress I made last year and who I have shown pictures of before. However, she recently had the gown re-photographed and sent me this and I think it's splendid! I hope you do too. The gown is a two-piece, a detachable cape/train with a strapless dress lace dress underneath. I'm very excited about these images, it's always lovely to receive pictures of my work. I have used the top image in some of my new adverts.

This is Rachel wearing her fabulous floaty silk chiffon wedding dress. Rachel had specific ideas about the exact colour of her dress, which she didn't want to be standard ivory. After deliberating over many shades we chose a kind of pinky-goldy-champagne (can't be more specific!) type of colour that worked very well with the off white crochet-lace trims. Out of necessity, the chiffon on the dress bodice is all hand pleated and hand-sewn.  Rachel was very sure she didn't want a twinkly dress or any bling of any sort, the dress was a simple design where the chiffon was used both to provide texture and wafty floatiness. But we decided to add some pearls and tiny silver glass beads to the trims as well, which gives a tiny gleam to the ensemble. As Rachel is tall she can carry off this hipster style of dress well. She looks stunning!

This is the wedding of Carolyn and Tom, which took place in earlier this year in May. The blossom provides such a perfect backdrop for Carolyn in her dress. Carolyn's dress is made from a heavy silk crepe with a draped silk crepe Georgette overlay and sleeves. We incorporated some lace motifs around the middle of the gown which flow into a lace tie at the centre back. (A bit difficult to see the lace areas in these images.) All pictures are by photographer Jean-Luc Benazet . This image above shows how softly the neckline drapes around Carolyn's shoulders.

It's that time of year where I'm waiting for photos of weddings. The weather is gorgeous so the wait isn't a chore! In the meantime, I thought I'd show you this of Katryn on her wedding day. She of the purple wedding dress I've previously posted about. More pics of this and other weddings to show you soon.