Dressed to Impress

Behind every red-carpet frock, sharp suit or breathtaking bridal dress is a super-talented seamstress, tailor or costumier – the unsung heroes and heroines of our special occasions, who create stunning pieces that make us feel a million dollars and are worn for some of our most memorable moments. Whether it’s for a friend, family member, or as part of your own business, making dresses and outfits for events is a huge privilege. Not only are you playing an important role in the celebrations, but your work is on show for all to see. The detail and finish must be flawless, the fabrichandled beautifully, and extra time and patience is required for those all-important fittings. Here, four of these behind-thescenes superstars share their passion and process for working with luxury fabrics to create show-stopping garments, from wedding dresses to historical costumes.

BOUTIQUE BRIDAL

Working with luxury fabrics offers up unique challenges – whether it’s delicate vintage lace or slippery silks, cutting and sewing such intricate textiles requires skill, consideration and expert fabric-handling know-how.

Annie Mullooly (www.ffrog.co.uk), who studied Fashion and Textiles at the University of Cumbria, started making wedding gowns and bridesmaids’ dresses for family and friends in her 20s, before launching her first wedding dress collection in 2015. “The experience of creating a wedding grown is very special and unique to each bride,” says Annie, whose design label is Ffrog (meaning ‘frock’ in Welsh). “It can be a long process – sometimes up to seven fittings before the dress is finished. But I love going on this journey with them, getting to know my brides on a very personal level and building up trust.”

Annie is inspired by vintage styles, especially the glamour of the 1930s and the Art Deco era. “I have a weakness for crepedback satin, with its fluidity and luxuriousfeel. This fabric also nods to the bridal fashions of the 1930s that I love so much.”

Her recent collection features oyster crepes, delicate laces and covered-button details. “Some fabrics tell me what they what to be – I start with sketches, then the patterns take shape.” She describes the satisfaction of finally seeing her designs worn by brides on their wedding day as “immense.”

Annie offers a fitting service for her dresses from within the Rachel Burgess Bridal Boutique in Penarth, South Wales (www. rachelburgessbridalboutique.com). Having sewn “pretty much daily” for nearly 15 years, her fabric handling has become almost instinctive. “The challenges come when a garment hasn't been cut well in the initial stage of construction,” she says. “If the grains

“Some fabrics tell me what they what to be. I start with sketches, then the patterns.”

Written by Holly Johnson.