Inspiration for my couture gowns can strike at any time, and in the case of Flora, it was while I was browsing online for fabric (one of my favourite pastimes!) I saw the soft tulle, embellished with chiffon flowers and curling embroidery and knew I had to have it!
I decided I wanted to create something with even more flowers, that looked like an overgrown garden that had bust into life in spring, so I added lots of extra embroidered flower appliques, embroidered leaf appliques and chiffon flowers to my cart, all in shades of blush pinks and deep reds.
To add my signature sparkle to the dress, I ordered clear sequin fabric to layer under the tulle, and rumaged through my stash for pink and red Swarovski crystals and pearls to add as I sewed the flowers on. A rich creamy satin added some warmth as the layer under the tulle and sequins. Floaty ivory tulle cape sleeves were the finishing touch, adding a softness to the design.
The abundance of flowers represented spring, growth and new life to me, so the headpiece I designed to go with Flora was inspired by the rising sun. It all seemed a fitting theme to tie in with my recent return to creating couture gowns and a change in direction on my YouTube channel to showing how I create couture gowns, from concept, to creation, through to styling and makeup looks as I would if I were showing the gown on a runway.
To complete the look I revamped a pair of thrifted shoes with flowers and crystals, and I put my new desire to style wigs to the test, and cut, curled and styled a rose gold lace front wig. I've still got a lot to learn when it comes to wig styling, but I'm happy with how this turned out.
For the makeup look, I used soft pinks and golds, with an ethereal, vintage feel, lots of pink blush, and gold sparkles that would catch the light if this was on a runway.
You can follow the process of making the Flora gown, accessories and see the finished look in the series of videos below. If you'd like me to create a one-off gown for you, head here for all the information about having a couture gown designed and made by me.
There's even more information about all the steps, and more, in my weekly vlogs. Find them in the Flora gown playlist here. Make sure you're ubscribe to my YouTube channel and click the notification bell to see my future videos and tutorials.
Vicky
