Tarina's dress

There is one particular type of client that we love above all others. Those  who come to us with a simple brief: make me something! These glorious people are the ones who really allow us to be creative and we always relish a challenge. So, a few days ago, the breathtaking Tarina Patel came to us with this brief and only one instruction, that it needed to have a flamenco hem. (long at the back, short at the front) The event was Jets & Jewels a super glitzy gala sponsored by Bentley, Bombardier and Jenna Clifford among others. We have worked with Tarina a number of times before and know her style and body type which is wonderful, however we only had two days to pull this particular rabbit out of the hat! A challenge indeed. 

We came up with a basic design and then decided on the fabric, a beautiful deep forest green heavy taffeta that would have the body we needed to give the wide skirt it's shape. 

Yes, my sketches do usually look like a toddler's doodle regardless of the time deadline! 

Ben and I decided (unofficially, it just kind of happened that way) to split the load, he would design the top of the dress and I would design the skirt. 

And so we set to work...

Aubrey helping Ben draft the dress bodice :) 

And started with a rough to ensure that the pattern worked in the way that we planned

Once we were happy with the fit and shape, we moved onto the final. We decided that the front should and back would have sheer panels with lace overlay. This would stop the very closed top looking too old fashioned and would give the texture and decadence that only comes from good lace! 

Ben working on the top...

While Emmanuel (our cutter) does some final checks on the skirt

Then came the final assembly which is always the scary bit! 

And then came the embellishment. Ben decided to do a an asymmetrical pleated drape with the exquisite piece of black chantilly lace as this would show the lace off to it's full potential while also adding softness and movement to the dress. It would also stop the detailing from looking too contrived which is often a problem with heavily embellished pieces.

In the end we also key-holed the back instead of buttoning it all the way down just because it is subtly sexy to see a little bit of back. 

Pretty much there! Tarina and Ben giving the dress a last look over.

The skirt is double layered - the outer of the green taffeta and then an inner layer of a black flecked jacquard. 

And voila! 

Here is a video that Tarina took which shows it from all angles

http://instagram.com/p/vEw1HhuZwd/

Unfortunately it's on Instagram and I don't know how to properly share here, but go and have a look. 

How do you think we did on a two day deadline? 😃