S/S15: Here comes the Bride

Getting back to normality and preparing myself for another college year. Feeling very motivated about pushing myself this year and establishing a lasting brand. I definitely need to focus more on creating a signature style and design. I'm absolutely loving the current bridal designer trends for next S/S, there's tulle and texture everywhere. I've never been a big fan of full lace gowns I prefer a tailored look using trims and layers to create drama. Here's some pictures from Vera Wang's seasonal collection, so many beautiful pieces with clean simple designs. I've been swooning over Monique Lhuillier's use of colour and volume, incredible stuff. My forecast for S/S: Amazing structural pieces allowing the nature of the fabric to speak for itself and many many beautiful brides. Que the bridal chorus,
Ro x

                                        Vera Wang Spring 2015

                                   Vera Wang Spring 2015

                       Vera Wang Spring 2015 Showcase

               Monique Lhuillier Spring 2015

 

                Monique Lhuillier Spring 2015

              Monique Lhuillier Spring 2015

Curly Sue

There's nothing better than getting your hair done and it's even more satisfying when it's free. I got my boyfriend to set my hair for me the other night and it's the best it's ever been done. Basically it's like getting a perm done but using mouse and water instead of perm lotion. 

I have a bad relationship with perms ever since I was 17, myself and my friends thought it would be a great idea to buy a home perm kit having in clue what a perm actually does. The result was my hair got burnt and fused together so I had to have it all chopped off. It makes for a good story and we all laugh about it now but even though I'd always had short hair it was horrible having that little. I comforted myself by adopting the name Rochelle and telling everyone I had to get my weave cut out, laughter is the best medicine I suppose. 

Anyway I have hair now so I'll get back to the present. So after all the rollers go in you use a dryer to heat the hair and set it in place (I'm very impatient so I slept with them in). Then in the morning I woke up looking like the star of Annie and feeling fabulous. Throughout the day the curls drop and you can pull them down so they're no so afro-like. I usually clip up the sides of my hair so it's not too curly around my face and voila a natural looking head of curls. Honestly don't know how people manage curly hair all the time tho, I have a greater appreciation of the struggle.

Ro x

This is on the way to the event and the headpiece I made for it👑

Back when Rochelle was around rocking the red hair 

And I do my little turn on the catwalk

Feeing delighted after seeing my dress on the catwalk last night regardless of the slight zip fiasco. My voting campaign is in full swing and I need all my frockwatchers to vote and share my design. There was some amazing collections displayed last night from students of the Univerity of Ulster and Belfast metropolitan , really impressed by the standard. That includes the work of the other contestants in the competition their designs looked absolutely fabulous, the competition is really stiff! Here's a pic of my dress on the catwalk and a reminder of where its come from, Vote for Ro!!!!http://weddingjournalshow.com/wj-young-designer-year/

When life hands you lemons

Finally getting a chance to relax and recover from my crazy week. Putting the dress in the bag I was thinking did I actually manage to do that? It's such a huge achievement for me after just one year in college. This summer I've managed to figure out the fashion direction I want to go in and feel more determined than ever to establish my own label and career. I'm so thankful I took part in this competition and pushed myself to finish the task even if though I don't have the full set of skills behind me. I feel really hopeful about the coming college year and I'm preparing to push myself even further, determination is key .

Ro x 

      

Reposting my favourite image of the dress, such a beautiful back view 

Bye bye baby

The delivery of the dress has been a successful mission. Belfast is now where my baby is and will remain till I have her back on Tuesday night. I'll be going to a private design event in Clandeboye estate where my dress will appear on the catwalk, vair posh. In other news I got my own business cards made so I can harass people to vote for me even more hooray!!! Let me give you my card 

Ro x 

I get by with a little help

Still not finished the final bits but feel ready to hand over my dress tomorrow. Thanks to my gorgeous model Orlaith who I fitted in my gown for the last few weeks , doesn't she look fabulous!! Also met a wonderful woman today who looked after me so well and gave me a massive boost of confidence, thanks so much Amanda from Shop in a Box who brightened my day with her inspiring attitude. I'm kitted out like Vera Wang now hehe. Hope you like guys, I'm adding beading to the skirt at the mo so pics to follow. Much love, 

Ro x 

                              

The End is Nigh

At this stage of the journey I'd like to shout out some thankyous to my friends and family for all their support. Especially my mam and dad who've been behind me all the way even when I'm a dragon lady. Apologies that turned in to a bit of an oscar speech. Only 2 days to go now until I'm heading up to Belfast with my dress. I'm ready to put the zip in to the dress and I thinking of adding a line of beads around the over skirt let me know what you think guys. Still needs a good press but here she is,

Ro x 

Functional to fabulous

I decided not to do a veil for the dress as I don't want to cover the back detail. Instead I've made a head piece from an old bra cup. I've had to get a bit thrifty with the whole project and this is such an easy way to save money and have an amazing piece at the end. For any brides getting married it's a great idea for personalising your look as you can use any beads or embroidery you want maybe even some blue crystals for your something blue! 

Make sure it's not a padded bra or people might find out your secret. Remove the wire from the cup. Cut out the shape you desire in the sponge and decide on the size you'd like. I went for a leaf shape that will mould around the side of the head. Cut out your fabric leaving a seam allowance for sewing. Place your two pieces right side to right side and sew together making sure to leave a small opening so you can turn it out. This hole can then be hand stitched closed once the padding is inside. Give it a press with the iron as you go.

I added veiling to mine for a 3D effect but the decoration is up to you, stitch on your bits and pieces. Once you're done cut a piece of felt slightly smaller than the headpiece and hand sew to the back inorder to cover your other stitches and create a clean edge for attaching the comb.

Sew your comb in place and voila! A glamorous and elegant accessory ready for the big day. Hope this inspires some of you to reconsider throwing out those old Penney's bras!

Ro x 

Apologies I didn't have time to do a cheeky upstyle👰

Just Bead It

Spent the past 48 hours beading my bodice from front to back and it's fair to say I should definitely go to specsavers. So worth all the time and effort. Love the result of the hand sewn beads combined with the hot fix crystals they really make it stand out. Hope you all love it too. Still more to come, 

Ro x 

Finishing the finishes

I've been neglecting FrockWatch for a view days because I've been very busy so apologies for the lack of effort. I've been carrying my dress in ziplock bags from home to the studio so thanks to Supervalu for their great product. I've started contructing the bodice after much torment with the skirt which I'll post some pics of soon. Here's some pictures of how I attached the feathers apologies I didn't get an opportunity to press the pieces. I attached the feather trim to a fresh bias binding and placed the overlapping pieces in to the seam allowance so I have a clean edge. Hopefully the time I took will pay off and the finish will impress the judges. I'm ready to start beading which I'm going to complete before the bodice is fully sewn together so the stitches won't show on the lining.
Ro x

Really impressed with my Swarovski hot fix crystals that I got from Scatter Crsytals uk, this is the silk colour but I also got them in an antique rose. Such a nice effect. Only 8 days to go!!! 

Zip-It

I was researching last night the best method to apply an invisible zip in to a lined dress. The method I usually use is slip stitching the lining to the zip but I thought there must be an easier way (not that I was feeling lazy or anything). So although I wont be doing the zip for a while I found links to sites I felt offered really good alternatives to the hand sewing. Long live the internet!!
Ro x

http://sewaholic.net/sewing-the-lining-into-the-cambie-dress/
http://www.ehow.com/how_8615293_put-invisible-zipper-lining.html
http://thegirlinspired.com/2013/11/how-to-install-an-invisible-zipper/