"A confident stylist can use humour effectively in their design, but only once they are already established "- stylish thought for the day
Sharon x
7 May 2011
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
30 Apr 2011
Royal Wedding Day Fashion And Style - Kate Middleton Wore Earrings Designed By Robinson Pelham
If your clamouring to get know latest on the Kate Middletons ensemble for her wedding day, here it is!
As many of you know I "Great Style Is In The Details" is one of my favourite mantras as a personal stylist. Kate Middleton Britians newest princess, certainly in my opinion looked the epitome of all that is graceful, elegant and chic, having got the balance between her
Alexander McQueen wedding dress by Sarah Burton and her jewellery just right, thanks in no small part to her parents Micheal and Carole Middleton, who comissioned Robinson Pellham jewellers to make Kates diamond encrusted earrings and those of her sister Phillipa Middleton.
Kates earrings were inspired by the families newly aquired coat of arms which includes acorns and oak leaves and echos her stunning tiara she wore. Phillipas earrings seen below, were floral in nature. Both of the sisters earrings were designed by British craftman, the company Robinson Pelham was established fifteen years ago in pimlico London.
To discover first hand why the acorn and oak leaf motif, were the perfect compliment to Kate Middletons wedding dress, Hilary Alexander shares with us the bridal dresses very fashionable history and exacting craftsmanship that made it a bridal dress fit for a princess. Enjoy!
source - Golden Goose Pr - please do not take any of the images or content contained here without linking back to http://www.mypassporttostyle.blogspot.com/ thank-you
Sharon 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
27 Apr 2011
Rose and Grey The Perfect Antedote to Easter Egg Excess!
Hi Gals hope you had a happy easter! If easter egg excess is preventing you from feeling your usual fashion fabbulous self then I might just have the perfect antedote, charming accessories from lifestyle store Rose and Grey.
Wear a loose maxi dress and team with these pretty finds from Rose and Grey, I love these pieces of Jewellery that work well in recreating the boho look, what got me super excited is that the designs combine silver and gold tones. I'm always encouraging my clients to mix silver and gold together, it looks, really sophisticated but also relaxed. The butterfly earrings and swallows bracelet by Stef Warde have a lovely retro feel.
There is huge buzz at the moment about fruity prints, I love that prints are showcasing fruit as well as flowers this spring/summer as its a really fun twist. Rose and grey have the perfect little holdal that would double as a large tote, to wear with your maxi and cat eye shades. Wear this statement print bag and relax in the knowledge that all eyes will be on your bag! To visit go to
Sharon x x
24 Apr 2011
The Mad Hatter Strikes Again!
Happy Easter gals, hope your having fun, I can think of no better way of celebrating Easter than getting in on an Easter parade and wearing the hat of your dreams, here are a few of my favourite Easter bonnets.
Which ones you?
Sharon x x
18 Apr 2011
Having A Hot Pink Moment!
Hi Gals, double helping of hot pink, stripey belted waistcoat over hot pink dress, with denim petticoat peeping out, chocolate patent wooden wedges, not quite warm enough for bare legs in my opinion!
photo credit my son Wes!
Sharon x
14 Apr 2011
Find Out What Got Me Jumping For Joy!
10 Best Jumpsuits Playsuits Catsuits All-in-one 10 Best Marie Claire Hi Gals, you heard it here first ( see my side bar for the original style post, under style predictions) my style prediction about the jumpsuit being the next big thing, have come true, Marie Claire have come up with a rather fine clutch of my favourite one piece wonder for spring 2011! Where else does elegant meet lounge wear and add inches to your height! I think that the jump suit is set to share the same iconic status in our wardrobes/closets as jeans and blazers. Have any of you gals, bought into this trend yet? If not which style of jumpsuit/playsuit will you be opting for, from this grown up trend with a little funfactor thrown in for good measure?!!
Sharon x x
Sharon x x
5 Apr 2011
Celebrating My Birthday Friday The 8th of April With Designer Vivien Westwood!!!
Dame Vivien Westwood will be a fabulous 70 this Friday the 8th of April ! However apart from sharing our birth date, we also share some common passions, on a personal level outside of my work as a personal stylist, I have always been excited by clothing that has a sense of theatre, Westwoods quirky very British collections have this by the bucket load as she frequently incorporates historical references from bygone eras into her clothing line.
They say that you should notice a woman first, not her dress, if the designer has got it right. Admittedly to wear Westwoods collections you have to be pretty confident about making it your own. However what makes her clothing ultimately so wearable is she understands a womans body and the art of impeccable tailoring, she has been quoted as saying the best way to understand how to construct clothing well is to take it apart.
Westwoods jewel in her crown is she has never lost her experimental edge from her punk days and this is largely evident in her clever use of materials, who else could elevate the status of what was once fondly termed the jelly bean shoe of the 80s, a clear plastic shoe, into a range of shoes that ooze sensuality, sophistication and humour, like what I like to call her Christmas bauble shoe! Add to that they are comfortable, light weight and recyclable and another cult product is born courtesy of British born designer Viviene Westwood.
Her signature is evident in this seasons collection asymmetric hems and necklines which elongate the body, demonstrate her understanding that whilst perfect fit and drape is important, too much perfection quickly becomes boring. My favourite pieces are her jackets and waistcoats, the shawl collar used are one of the most flattering collars worn on a jacket as it softens angular shoulder lines and embraces fuller bosomed women.
Westwoods pieces work in harmony with the curves of a woman or at least our need to embellish on them if they are a little lacking, through her use of draping and volume. which is why the beautiful Christine Hendrickson will make the perfect figure head for the launch of her new jewellery line.
Whether or not you adore Westwoods design aesthetic, with her flame red hair and her undying passion for innovation in British fashion and her seemingly unending energy, she lights up the sky like a glittering comet, whose influence is felt worldwide. She offers her fans, fashion and style full of wit, elegance, joy and a hint of swagger.
Happy Birthday Vivien!
Sharon x
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