Dear Gals,
Hope your having your perfect weekend, todays post is a little bit of fun and mystery click here to join in!
love, Sharon x x
Showing posts with label One Of A Kind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label One Of A Kind. Show all posts
18 Jun 2011
14 Jun 2011
Who Is This Stylish Lady?
Hi Gals, do you ever long for those whimsical moments in life? Hopefully I can help recreate one, lets play if you were this stylish lady who would you be? Go on you know you want to join in! Just a couple of lines on who you are and where your heading today?The best answer will feature as my next guest blogger!
Sharon x
13 May 2011
Meet Lucy Curtis's Beautifuly Crafted Family Of Corset Laced Mannequins
Hi lovely readers, if your thinking about giving your dressing room or sewing room a much needed makeover this spring 2011 and transforming it into a space that encourages creativity in your dressmaking or dressing room, then besides the small matter of which sewing machine or wardrobe is needed, you most certainly need a mannequin with attitude that will give a strong focal point to your room. Not just a pretty face, mannequins from corseted laced mannequins will prove to be an invaluable work horse or muse, depending on whether your project is sewing or blogging about your latest online conquest at Style Passport.
I met up with Lucy the founder of Corset Laced Mannequins and supplier to Gok Wans Clothes Road show to find out what makes her mannequins so special.
Q - Sharon - Hi Lucy, Welcome to My Passport to Style, as you know I'm a Personal Stylist so beautiful fabric and mannequins come with the territory, by sourcing beautiful fabrics you have elevated the humble mannequin into works of art. What made you to set up as a online supplier of mannequins?
A – Lucy - Hi Sharon, For such a long time, going back to my childhood, I have been fascinated with fabric. So after a lifetime of collecting it and after having a glimpse of an antique mannequin tailored in red brocade, I thought of the perfect way to display my fabrics…the humble dress makers mannequin!
I was a little worried about using my collection. I kept thinking “When it’s gone its gone”, “I may never see the like again”, “What if I make a mistake?” The angst was immense...really, I’m not kidding!
That was some years ago now and I am pleased to say that those precious fabrics are still carefully stored and, when the urge comes, they are gently unfolded, caressed and gazed upon, to be again returned to their place of safety. But the seed had been planted and Corset Laced Mannequins was born.
Q- How exciting! Your mannequins are beautifully crafted what are the processes involved and where do you source your materials from?
A – Lucy – Thank you Sharon. I start with the fabric and I’m always on the look out for something different and unique. Unfortunately, I have to rely on the internet rather than hands on purchases as I rarely get the time to visit fabric stores. Once I have a that I can decide which finish suits the material best, ie corset and laced or flat back finish. Then its time for cutting out! The pattern I use has been changed and improved over the years and now is just about perfect. My trusted industrial Brother sewing machine, named Brian, means I can sail through the sewing process. As all fabrics work differently, each cover requires adjustment; much like a seamstress would fit a dress to the human body, only I don’t need to be quite so careful where I place the pins.
When I’m happy with the finish, the seams is top stitched and the cover fitted to the mannequin with a pretty ribbon or hand stitched along the side seam. For me, nothing beats the moment when everything comes together and I’m gazing at a beautiful mannequin.
Q-Sharon - The satisfaction of producing the finished product must be immense, attitudes to clothing sizes and body shape are changing, which is refreshing, I'm thrilled that the diverse shapes and sizes of your mannequins reflect this, you offer a fuller figured mannequin how popular has that range been with your clients?
A – Lucy – I do offer a larger 12/14 sized mannequin and have tailored larger mannequins for a plus sized dress shop. However, most of the mannequins I create are a size 10/12 for home or boutique display, so it still appears that people want to see a more slender figure.
A- Sharon - I see, that's interesting, personally I love the fact that there is the option of being able to request a commission for a fuller figured mannequin if you want one.
Q- Sharon - You also sell a striking wasp waist mannequin, which I'm sure many of the vintage bloggers on blog spot have their eye on as we speak. Why did you decide to introduce this style of mannequin to your range?
A – Lucy – I collect vintage mannequins and you can’t help but be amazed at the original wasp waisted girls. So it was always on my “to do” list! When I found a supplier I was absolutely thrilled and a little bit daunted! Could I tailor a mannequin with such a tiny waist? This is where good pattern making is so important. After many hours I finally created the pattern and, hey presto, I had created a beautiful wasp waisted mannequin tailored in a Laura Ashley fabric. Needless to say I was very excited!
Q- Sharon - Your mannequins come in child, and male and female sizes and shapes has anyone ever purchased a whole family of mannequins from you?!
A – Lucy – No, they never have! Usually buyers will have a female and child mannequin. Poor Dad doesn’t get included.
Q- Sharon - Giggles- ahh shame! What are your favourite styles at the moment?
A – Lucy – I love the velvet seamless mannequins because they are so timeless and great for so many interiors. I also adore Sophie, a vivid blue damask of a white background...simply stunning! My all time favourite though is Emily, black, slubby linen with beautiful clusters of pink roses.
Q- What do you find most rewarding about your job?
A – Lucy – So many things! Of course the fabric and working from home but it wouldn’t be half as enjoyable without my wonderful customers. They really are incredibly supportive and understanding. When I receive fabulous feedback, it always comes as a wonderful surprise and I’m so grateful. I never take that for granted.
Q- Did you ever predict that you would become so successful as a company?
A – Lucy – Well it depends on what you mean by successful. I’ve always been fortunate enough to call myself a happy person. I just began creating something I love, with materials that inspired me and the success, albeit moderate, came from that. It wasn’t planned, it just happened.
Q- What was the first mannequin you ever produced?
A – Lucy – Gosh, that was a few years ago now! It was a beautiful pale blue with ditsy pink roses and it took me literally days to get the fit right. I nearly gave up but my sister encouraged me to continue and so I persevered. Funny how you never forget your first one!
Q- What has been your biggest challenge as a company?
A – Lucy – Nothing has been overly difficult. It’s sometimes a struggle to keep up with all the demands of running an internet business, the website upkeep, the marketing, the accounts! But I’m completely committed to always moving on with new fabrics and mannequin styles. You can never rest on your laurels and have to keep things fresh. Yes, I tailor mannequins that will never change, but how and with what fabric is always changing and exciting.
Q- What has been your biggest moment?
A – Lucy – Many things! I’ve created a mannequin for a member of the Royal family! That was an honour. I even kept a copy of the cheque so I can show my grandchildren.
A- Sharon - That's pretty thrilling!!
pause
A- Lucy- and Obviously, providing Gok Wan with mannequins and seeing him literally working with Channel 4 for eight weeks was wonderful, (and to be repeated this summer with Britain & Irelands Next Top Model!) I’ve also sold my mannequins to some very prestigious companies such as TM Lewin, Austins and even The National Gallery.
Sharon- Thanks Lucy it has been really pleasure to discover the craftsmanship and passion that goes into your company's product and share it with the readers.
Sharon x x
7 May 2011
Can Great Style And Humour Coexist?
"A confident stylist can use humour effectively in their design, but only once they are already established "- stylish thought for the day
Sharon x
4 May 2011
Meet The Talented Dress Designer Who Shares Her Fabric Supplier With Chanel
Some of you lovely readers may already know that my great grandmother was a member of the Royal academy of sewing and was one of a team of women who helped make the queen mothers wedding gown, my own mother had a real talent for pattern cutting, so I'm thrilled to be interviewing Ele Horsley a dress designer from the Lake District near to my home town in Lancashire in the UK with a passion for designing elegant vintage tea dresses.
Q- Sharon- Hi Ele, what first inspired you to start designing your own dresses?
Ele – Well, in a similar way to you, I have been inspired by my own grandmothers and the dresses that they used to wear. I used to love playing dress-up in the attic where my mother stored some of the special silk tea dresses that my grandmothers owned. And to be completely honest, that desire to dress up never really wore off! And as I grew older and wanted to buy dresses of a similar elegance and style I realised that there was not a ready supply, and I decided that there was only one way to remedy that situation. So here I am!
Q -Sharon- Ele you create bespoke dresses as well as your own range , what was it like training to be a pattern cutter?
Ele – Pattern cutting is not a skill that everyone enjoys learning at fashion school as it's really quite technical and mathematical, but I was lucky enough to really enjoy it! Having decided that I wanted to run my own business at the beginning of my degree I realised that the skill of pattern cutting is a vital one, and after leaving uni I went on to do a postgraduate pattern cutting course at St Martins in London. Now, as a professional pattern cutter, I am in a very good position, able to see an idea through from concept to finished product without having to compromise on the cut of my garments.
Q-Sharon- I adore the beauty of natural fabrics and would love to see a return to the use of natural fibres by clothing labels in the UK, You use silk in many of your dress designs, is it difficult to work with and what is the attraction of using it in your work?
Ele – Yes, silk is really difficult to work with. Especially when it is cut on the bias as many of my styles are! I often question my sanity, choosing to work with a fabric as slippery and impossible as silk, but when the dress is finished and floats and falls so beautifully I forgive myself! There is something about natural fibres that you just can't replicate with a synthetic fibre - the fall, the subtle sheen, the coolness/warmness.
Q- Sharon- You produce elegant short tweed capes, I'm aware the production of tweed is dying out, so it's great to see small companies such as yourself using the fabric in your work and keeping the industry going, where do you source your tweed from?
Ele – As a student I discovered a cumbrian tweed manufacturer called Linton Tweeds, who are based up in Carlisle and produce the most fabulous range of fancy tweeds. In fact, they are the tweed supplier to Chanel, so I'm in good company! They have a fantastic mill shop – I'm always like a kid in a sweet shop when I visit. I just love using local tweed to make my jackets and capes – there's a real sense of satisfaction to be gained from creating products from such local sources.
Q-Sharon-Would you say you are influenced much by fashion trends for each season?
Ele – Really honestly, I wouldn't say that my work is based too much on trends. I keep abreast of fashion and what's going on on the catwalks, but my work has a more timeless feel to it, influenced more by the past than the present. I always look to the 1930s ad 40s for inspiration as well as choosing another thread to follow, such as butterflies, nepalese sherpas, and most recently, deckchairs! Having said that though, I have had some funny moments when things that I have recently designed turned up on the catwalks completely independently!
Q-Sharon- What do you like most about being a independent clothing label?
Ele – The thing I appreciate most about being independent is that I can work on garments that I really believe in and actually like. I spent years as pattern cutter working on other people's designs, trying to channel their ideas, which was interesting and exciting at times but I always longed to be cutting patterns for something more pretty and feminine. As you an imagine, working alone has it's own drawbacks and can be really tough, especially in the current climate, but the benefits for me outweigh all of that (most of the time!)
Q-Sharon- You also produce a range of handbags, what do you hope that your accessories say about you as a designer and your brand?
Ele – Yes, I have recently expanded my range to incorporate accessories – clutch bags, shoulder bags and silk scarves. I wanted to be able to offer my customers the whole 'look'. I research vintage handbags and add my own twist to keep things current. I am particularly fond of the tweed bags which add a little touch of colour or brightness to any outfit. I am in the process of introducing a selection of leather bags too.
Q-Sharon-Ooh great to hear that your expanding your range of bags to include leather! Since starting your own company, what has been your most exciting moment?
Ele – Ooh, that's a difficult one! I have had some really proud moments, such as making an evening dress out of Buffs (sport/outdoor neckwear) for the Keswick Mountain Festival that went down so well that the head office of Buff bought it to display in their spanish HQ! And the excitement and pride of watching a wedding dress that you have made being worn down the aisle never fails to bring a tear!
But actually the best thing is something that has happened very recently; I have been chosen to sell on notonthehighstreet.com, an opportunity that I think will take my business to the next level – something that I am really really excited about!
Q- Sharon-Good luck Ele, with your collaboration with notonthehighstreet.com, It has been a real highlight of my week, to discover more about you and what goes into your label, I hope Ele Horsley continues to go from strength to strength. One word to sum up your sense of style?
Ele – Timeless!
Q- Sharon- Hi Ele, what first inspired you to start designing your own dresses?
Ele – Well, in a similar way to you, I have been inspired by my own grandmothers and the dresses that they used to wear. I used to love playing dress-up in the attic where my mother stored some of the special silk tea dresses that my grandmothers owned. And to be completely honest, that desire to dress up never really wore off! And as I grew older and wanted to buy dresses of a similar elegance and style I realised that there was not a ready supply, and I decided that there was only one way to remedy that situation. So here I am!
Q -Sharon- Ele you create bespoke dresses as well as your own range , what was it like training to be a pattern cutter?
Ele – Pattern cutting is not a skill that everyone enjoys learning at fashion school as it's really quite technical and mathematical, but I was lucky enough to really enjoy it! Having decided that I wanted to run my own business at the beginning of my degree I realised that the skill of pattern cutting is a vital one, and after leaving uni I went on to do a postgraduate pattern cutting course at St Martins in London. Now, as a professional pattern cutter, I am in a very good position, able to see an idea through from concept to finished product without having to compromise on the cut of my garments.
Q-Sharon- I adore the beauty of natural fabrics and would love to see a return to the use of natural fibres by clothing labels in the UK, You use silk in many of your dress designs, is it difficult to work with and what is the attraction of using it in your work?
Ele – Yes, silk is really difficult to work with. Especially when it is cut on the bias as many of my styles are! I often question my sanity, choosing to work with a fabric as slippery and impossible as silk, but when the dress is finished and floats and falls so beautifully I forgive myself! There is something about natural fibres that you just can't replicate with a synthetic fibre - the fall, the subtle sheen, the coolness/warmness.
Q- Sharon- You produce elegant short tweed capes, I'm aware the production of tweed is dying out, so it's great to see small companies such as yourself using the fabric in your work and keeping the industry going, where do you source your tweed from?
Ele – As a student I discovered a cumbrian tweed manufacturer called Linton Tweeds, who are based up in Carlisle and produce the most fabulous range of fancy tweeds. In fact, they are the tweed supplier to Chanel, so I'm in good company! They have a fantastic mill shop – I'm always like a kid in a sweet shop when I visit. I just love using local tweed to make my jackets and capes – there's a real sense of satisfaction to be gained from creating products from such local sources.
Q-Sharon-Would you say you are influenced much by fashion trends for each season?
Ele – Really honestly, I wouldn't say that my work is based too much on trends. I keep abreast of fashion and what's going on on the catwalks, but my work has a more timeless feel to it, influenced more by the past than the present. I always look to the 1930s ad 40s for inspiration as well as choosing another thread to follow, such as butterflies, nepalese sherpas, and most recently, deckchairs! Having said that though, I have had some funny moments when things that I have recently designed turned up on the catwalks completely independently!
Q-Sharon- What do you like most about being a independent clothing label?
Ele – The thing I appreciate most about being independent is that I can work on garments that I really believe in and actually like. I spent years as pattern cutter working on other people's designs, trying to channel their ideas, which was interesting and exciting at times but I always longed to be cutting patterns for something more pretty and feminine. As you an imagine, working alone has it's own drawbacks and can be really tough, especially in the current climate, but the benefits for me outweigh all of that (most of the time!)
Q-Sharon- You also produce a range of handbags, what do you hope that your accessories say about you as a designer and your brand?
Ele – Yes, I have recently expanded my range to incorporate accessories – clutch bags, shoulder bags and silk scarves. I wanted to be able to offer my customers the whole 'look'. I research vintage handbags and add my own twist to keep things current. I am particularly fond of the tweed bags which add a little touch of colour or brightness to any outfit. I am in the process of introducing a selection of leather bags too.
Q-Sharon-Ooh great to hear that your expanding your range of bags to include leather! Since starting your own company, what has been your most exciting moment?
Ele – Ooh, that's a difficult one! I have had some really proud moments, such as making an evening dress out of Buffs (sport/outdoor neckwear) for the Keswick Mountain Festival that went down so well that the head office of Buff bought it to display in their spanish HQ! And the excitement and pride of watching a wedding dress that you have made being worn down the aisle never fails to bring a tear!
But actually the best thing is something that has happened very recently; I have been chosen to sell on notonthehighstreet.com, an opportunity that I think will take my business to the next level – something that I am really really excited about!
Q- Sharon-Good luck Ele, with your collaboration with notonthehighstreet.com, It has been a real highlight of my week, to discover more about you and what goes into your label, I hope Ele Horsley continues to go from strength to strength. One word to sum up your sense of style?
Ele – Timeless!
1 May 2011
Bags Of Style - Recycled Fashion That Would Look At Home On Any Red Carpet
Hi Gals, the lovely Carole, one of My Passport to Styles fabulous followers asked if I would share these fantastic plastic carrier bag creations with you all. I am in awe of the talent that produced them, a water proof wedding dress would come in pretty handy in the UK climate I live with, you could even complete the look with a pair of Vivien Westwood plastic flats like these to follow the whole theme through!
fifties style fabulous, cute pillbox hat
Pretty frothy lace in plastic in aqua?!
Sweet fifties two piece
My personal favourite, I love the honesty of this gold carrier bag design, simple but beautiful, it has a luxe feel, it could almost be made out silk. All designs featured were from Bags Begone. See you soon, hope your enjoying a Stylish Sunday.
Sharon x x
29 Apr 2011
A Right Royal I Do !
Hi Gals, here are my last minuite tips for celebrating the Royal wedding today!
Do team your dress with a over the top hat and silk tea gloves
Do deck out your garden with pretty patriotic bunting!
Do provide some royality inspired treats, jam tarts are a must!
Do provide seating fit for a queen for your guests, I like the idea of a collection of extravagant chaise lounges dotted around the garden.
Do make sure your shoes a themed to the Royal wedding and strut your stuff with your girl friends
Lastly raise a glass to the happy Royal couple!
Sharon xx
21 Mar 2011
Meet The Founder Of Izzy Lane Creating Designs For Life
company founder - Isobel Davies
Hi there! Today I wanted to share an exciting ethical label founded by Isobel Davies in Yorkshire in the UK, with you all, SHE GIVES THE PHRASE "CUT YOUR CLOTH ACCORDINGLY" A WHOLE NEW MEANING! Isobel of Izzy Lane, rescues sheep that would otherwise be slaughted as they are not fit for Sale by paying farmers full price for them and using their wool to craft her beautiful creations, cashmere, tweed and wool all feature in Izzy Lanes collections.
I am thrillled by her use of colour and style in her waistcoat and vest collection this spring, perfect for wearing with linen or wool flared trousers to put your own spin on this seasons 70s look or how about colour blocking made super easy? Simply throw over a bright wool or shirt dress in a contasting colour, bright blue looks great with magenta. Or try wearing her conker or orange waistcoat over a crisp white shirt, team with a A-line skirt, block heeled suede knee boots and a felt fedora hat in black, for classic spring style with texture and real impact.
How lovey to know your saving the life of a sheep and getting to wear beautiful natural fibres cut in great styles that won't date, because quality always has the last word. Please visit Izzy Lane here, to read more about their rise to success - www.izzylane.com
Sharon x x
17 Mar 2011
A Gals Best Friend?
Hi Gals, how could anyone resist this Marylin trunk from the Conran shop in the UK, in walnut, true the price mark maybe a tad hefty at over £2,000 but the crafmanship is divine and surely this has got to be the perfect accessory for gals on the go? All you need now is to perfect your signature wiggle to accompany your new found boudoir chic!
Sharon x x
2 Mar 2011
The Perfect New Man?
How fantastic is this? I found the perfect new man, he is elegant, witty, stylish and very floral. I found this handsome male manequin and lots of beautifully crafted female forms too, at http://www.corsetlacedmannequins.co.uk perfect for buddying designers, fashionistas, or just as the perfect working clothes horse for your daily ensemble!
Sharon x x
2 Sep 2010
Every Devon Cloud Has A Silver Lining! x
I'm back fom my hols in Devon! You maybe wondering why my red spotty hat is featured here again, well I felt a little sorry for it as it never got out the front door of our cottage. Instead due to a unexpectedly wet and windy week, I was left to dream up curled in front of a log fire, what fabulous wet weather attire I could have brought along for my holiday, had I not been so optimistic about the possibilty of sunshine! Holiday photo's to follow soon of the 300 year old property we stayed in and the beautiful countryside. Thank-you for all your latest comments on what post's you would like to see here, I feel so inspired, by all your suggestions. So look out for post's on all your idea's! I will be anouncing the winner of my nautical giveaway very shortly!
Saving up for a rainy day, to wear these stunning Marc Jacobs Wellies, in putty patent, tres chic??!!!
Are you a wellies or umbrella girl? Splashing in moonlite puddle's? Or twirling the stem of your pretty brolly and spinning raindrop's into rainbow's?ME? I'm a little greedy, I'm both!!
Sharon x x x
20 Aug 2010
Check In For Stylish Holiday Packing Solution's!
Hi gal's, off on holiday tomorow to Devon at 5am , but to help motivate me to do the dreaded family packing,( yep even us stylist get mental blocks around ironing piles!) I have come up with some intriging and beautiful and stylish solution's to tackling the mundane holiday packing, starting with this stunning fun ironing board below, not sure about ironing pearl's though!
If you have not yet entered my sweet giveaway to win 1 of 2 prizes below to celebrate all you 300 fabulous followers out there, check out my previous post and good luck!!
Hope that if your off some where nice for a holiday, this post helps inspire you to do that boring preholiday preparation ! Can't wait to arrive in Devon unpack and kick back with my family!
And after a little ok alot of Devon cream teas I will be brimming with inspiration to create some stylish new look's for my client's! This room would be perfect and features my passion for tartan!
Look out for a postcard from me!
Sharon x x x
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