Style board (click for a bigger image)

From there I did a design drawing:

Design drawing (click for a bigger image)

Alex was a great bride to work with as she had a different vision of what she wanted and was happy for me to interpret that vision. Alex visited to discuss the designs and try on several of my corsets to see what style suited her best. From there we made a few modifications to the idea and took measurements. It was decided to make the outfit with a dropped waist to get a better hourglass look as Alex is boyish on top with very curvy hips.

So one mock-up and several fittings later we had a dress that only needed the decoration. The dress is made from two tone (black/maroon) silk taffeta with a full crinoline, black crystal organza and wedding tulle skirt. The over skirt is designed to be worn either flat or with the gathered front. The corset is made with two layers of coutil one layer of the red silk taffeta and a linking of black silk taffeta. It is fully boned with two boned back panels one just the normal design and one specially adapted for the wings. This allows the wings to be removed for dancing and getting in cars etc. The train attaches to both the skirt waistband and the modesty panel and is also removable for the dancing.

For the decoration I created lots of appliqué flowers and leaves from black silk velvet and the silk taffeta. These then had loads of bead added. Alex had sent me some lovely metal beads in silver to match her tiara and shoes. So I added these as well including a scattering of dragonflies on the train.

Close up of the beading work (click for a bigger image)

I was on hand on the wedding day to get her into her dress and to do wing and train changes. She was very happy with the dress and it was much admired at the wedding.

More pictures of the dress can be found in my gallery at http://www.silverhippo.com/images/wedding_dress/