Few people know how much of a wedding geek I can be but I’m finally ready to admit it–I nerd out over weddings, well handmade weddings mostly. I love the attention to detail and most importantly the attention to the happy couple’s story. It’s no surprise that I’ve been asked to be a maid of honor (twice now!), and a bridesmaid (I won’t admit how many times but I might give Katherine Heigel’s character in 27 Dresses a run for her money).
When Marry Me Indie approached me about putting together a collection for their indie, handmade wedding show I was certainly up for the challenge (and I certainly wanted the chance to upcycle all of those bridesmaids’ dresses hanging in the back of my closet). I transformed each dress into a simply steampunk creation–both tasteful and elegant. I can’t wait to share how I did it in a few DIYs to come later this month (so stay tuned)!
I had so much fun transforming each of the dresses, thrifting for vintage tuxes, and the piece de resistance came from my mom who found (at an estate) the most exquisite wedding dress I have ever seen. It is an off-the-shoulder dress made of gauzy white handmade lace with a long flowing train. It was sold with white ballet shoes (still with a penny for good luck taped into the inner sole)!
Accessorizing was easy–I was inspired by vintage rhinestone pieces, gleaming brass gears, and these embroidered Royal crests & patches. I had so much fun ruffling through antique photographs of Victorian weddings and ogling all of the dresses, floral arrangements & nosegays.
When June 1st finally arrived I could hardly contain my excitement! Everything had fallen into place and sure there were a couple of hiccups but the show was a complete success (much like a wedding day I expect). I couldn’t have done it without the encouragement of Christine & Renee; the help of all of my wonderful models–Melissa, Joe, Michael, Karen, Caroline, Ryan, Mitch, and especially Alicia (who was such a hauntingly beautiful bride–she looked as if she had stepped out of a shroud of ghostly invisibility to corporeal form to remind us of a bygone era); the help of Sherri, who filmed the fashion show for me; and last, but not least, my collaborator and co-designer, my mom (The Salvage Steamstress).
So for those of you who couldn’t make it–here’s a video of the show. Hope you enjoy it!
And in case you were wondering about the title of this post–I recently learned something that I thought I’d share with you. The familiar bridal saying–Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue–has just one more line–And a Silver Sixpence in my Shoe! The vintage hand sewn lace bridal gown that I am sending down the runway is American made and when my mom & I happened upon it at an estate sale it came complete with white ballet slippers to match the gown’s delicate elegance–and what did I find taped inside the sole but a penny! So for us in the states the saying & superstition is not complete without a brand new shiny penny! See you at Marry Me Indie! xo Sam
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