I’m now moved into my new studio at Princes House after weeks of decorating between sewing jobs and it’s lovely to be working in a beautiful light filled room in grade 2 listed Princes House, 18th century home of the Lemon family. It’s a wonderful venue to welcome customers who are already enjoying the luxurious experience of walking into such a beautiful building and the Princes House collective will continue to decorate and add touches to make it even more welcoming as time goes on. Princes House officially launched this week, announced all over Truro by the town crier with the ribbon cut by the Mayor of Truro. We were overwhelmed to be supported by 500 people coming to see the house and wish us well, with some queueing outside.
Gorgeous images from the lovely Katie who chose a very pretty lace over bamboo silk lined with cotton, spotty tulle cap sleeves, beaded lace details and a tulle veil.
I’m very excited to announce that I am moving to new premises in central Truro and will be part of a hand picked collective of designers and specialists offering unique wedding and style services.
Princes House, on Princes Street right in the heart of Truro promises to be something very special with a range of independent businesses under one roof offering a whole range of services for the style conscious as well as brides to be.
Ella, Sarah and Claire are offering expert and friendly hairdressing, eyebrow and make-up services and style advice. We also have a range of top bespoke designers of dresses, millinery and jewellery designed and made on the premises. Other services include top photographer Simon Burt, bespoke stationery design, caterers, wedding co-ordinating and personal assistant services. We all offer services to brides but there are also a variety of other services available at Princes House.
Pop over to the website to read all about it and register to attend our launch and grand opening – a not to be missed event due to take place on 7th February.
Newly listed in my Etsy shop this pretty floral shrug or sleeveless bolero. Made from 100% silk, lined with satin and smothered with hand made roses. It’s a pretty cover up for your ceremony, a different look for part of your big day and will keep the chill from your shoulders in the evening. A cute accessory like this will have life after your wedding if you use it to accessorise other outfits or maybe as a keepsake to pass on to friends and family….
Local brides can also buy this shrug direct from the studio and commission it in different sizes and colours …. just call 0780 7807890
Anna D’Souza Designs has been selected as a finalist. Thanks to all who voted for me!
More info on the awards here Cornish Brides Awards- It is possible to vote between now and the end of September for your favourite Cornish Wedding Supppliers
Anna D’Souza has entered the Cornish Brides awards and would love to be shortlisted. If you love what I do you can help, just click here to add me to the voting form
Just love my new images by Jess Augarde which you will see popping up on my website. We had a lovely day shooting at Trereife – click above to see the making of video, kindly shot by Mike from Visions UK, all other credits are at the end of the film.
Congratulations to the lovely Andrea who was married last month on a sunny day, looking gorgeous in a fifties inspired outfit which was customised with a simple sash and gorgeous delicate lace sleeves by my friend Annie.
Andrea is an amazing photographer – I just love the way she used natural light in this shoot at Old Bakery studios and also up on Bodmin moor when she borrowed a couple of my dresses to create these dreamy images.
During the Summer the wonderful Jessica Augarde borrowed some of my dresses for a photoshoot and here are the results. Some beautiful images in an outdoor setting so imaginatively used. A very talented young lady …..
Uneeka home is hosting a pop up shop this weekend…..
Plenty of lovely things from local designers and makers all under one roof – open Saturday and Sunday. Drop by the shop in City road Truro and enter the My24 competition to win shopping vouchers, then pop down to Uneekas other shop in Boscawen street for the best coffee in their new cafe.
My latest sample is a 50s inspired number, a little bit special - looks new but it’s totally recycled from vintage 80s silk dresses. If you would like a proper look at this dress it will be on display at the beautiful Uneeka shop in City road, Truro this weekend. More about Uneeka here
Uneeka have two amazing fairtrade shops; interiors in city road and loads more including a wonderful new cafe in their Boscawen street shop with the best coffee in beautiful surroundings.
Pop into the furniture shop and up the stairs you’ll find along with my dress, gorgeous millinery and headpieces from Holly Young Hatsas well as homewares and art. It’s a pop up shop for this weekend only as part ofMy24 Truro don’t miss …
My24 launches on Friday 23rd September and the pop up shop opens the same day for that weekend.
Earlier this Summer the wonderful Lucy Gregory took my 50′s inspired dress (and a box of lacey garters) to use in a gorgeous photoshoot at The Townhouse in Falmouth. The results are so pretty and here are some of my favourites to share with you….. enjoy x
I grew up in Bristol and I’ve always loved visiting Bath, especially the fashion museum. It made a big impression on me as a child and is a regular must visit for it’s inspiring exhibitions and generous study facilities where I have in the past been allowed to handle an 18th century corset and an exquisite 1900′s wedding dress.
This year, not only do they have a wedding dress exhibition, but they allow photography and here are just a couple of sneaky peeks – it’s well worth a visit if you are passing that way. The image above is a detail from a short 20′s dress with a long train.
Next pic is a 1950′s influenced dress by Alexander McQueen – how DID they know?!?
If you like wedding dresses, it’s the best exhibition of it’s sort I’ve seen. Click here to find out more on the museum website
The museum is housed in the Bath assembly rooms, 18th century venue of balls and concerts which Jane Austen would have attended when she lived in the city and the building has been the setting for more than one romantic turning point in her novels involving fainting incidents and potentially life changing misunderstandings. You get to peek in the ball rooms on the way through, complete with their enormous chandeliers and fireplaces.
A few steps down the road is my favoruite cafe – same same but different where, they serve proper soup and it’s surrounded by interesting window shopping …..
We ended the day treating Grannie to tea at the pump room, complete with live piano.
The fountain is very pretty, but I challenge you to try more than one sip of Bath water ….. tastes rather odd…
Great to come home after a busy day and find that my lovely family have prepared a hammock and a good curry. After working silly hours recently it all feels worth it after so many lovely things have been going on at the studios over the last week or so….. just time to admire how well my overgrown garden has been looking after itself…..
Reuse, recycle, rework - last month I was lucky enough to be introduced to the events team at The Eden Project, Cornwall, who set me the task of making an eco wedding dress and they asked for it to be recycled. Reusing/recycling is about as eco as you can get and I was lucky to have two rather 80s wedding dresses donated for the purpose. One had been in a bin bag in a shed for 4 years, beautifully aged and covered in lace. It’s lovely owner wanted to see it made into something new. The other was a plain and sad looking charity shop find with a pointy waistband and muddy stains around the hem, but made from raw silk with plenty of gathers to play with and lots of potential for a new life.
First job was to bundle them into a cool silk wash – amazing how a great big 18th century inspired skirt still managed to get throught the door of my domestic machine, petticoat and all! Second job hang them up and wait for the right inspiration…. scroll down for the before and after pics
Using the skirt from one dress, the bodice from the other and a fair bit of tweaking a completely new wedding dress emerged from make do and mend to vintage inspired loveliness. Recycling does not have to mean rough and ready and a cool contemporary dress can be achieved by restyling preloved gowns. Gorgeous model Siobhan came along to the fair to show off the dress properly and we accessorised the look with one of Holly Young’s vintage inspired headpieces made from a beautiful vintage feather pad. This whole look is on trend right now, a savvy way to recycle and a great opportunity to show off some rather special shoes.
I love my website and nearly all the photography on it is by it’s designer Simon Green so it’s about time I blogged him and his team.
I first met husband and wife team Simon and Suzanna Green when I was thinking about launching myself as a Bridal designer and maker. Simon is a talented and perceptive photographer and Suzanna works both alongside him and freelance as a make up artist - just one of her talents – she is also taking formal hairdressing training whilst running studio 20e at their Longrock studios near Mounts bay and Penzance. They also have an beautiful daughter, Siobhan who has designed and modelled for me and has a great future ahead of her in the creative industries. Simon and Suzanna first came to my workroom a while back when I had one dress and a pile of fabric – weeks later we were in Tehidy woods shooting a mini collection amongst the bluebells modelled by the lovely Lily. It was my first photoshoot and I really loved their relaxed style, loved even more coming home and finding within hours some of the most beautiful images waiting in my inbox. Simon had completely understood my work and added someting more. My favourite image reminds me of the romantic pre raphaelite paintings I have loved since my childhood when I was often taken to the extremely Victorian Bristol Museum and art gallery – free entertainment for a family of five kids!
I’m so lucky to have met these guys. Their work is beautiful, but they are also lovely people who are great to work with and have given me loads of encouragement when I needed it. Go and see their work…..
A lovely serene Winter view of the studios yesterday – love it best when the tide is in and everything is still and quiet like this. I feel so lucky to work in this amazing old building full of inspiring people. Thanks to Mike of Barlow Stott Architects who popped out to take these pictures. Follow Old Bakery studios on facebook for the latest news and dates of all the events and workshops now going on. There is an art exhibition this coming week and some lovely textile, art and craft workshops going on.
I love this time of year, winter walks and a cosy evening with a dvd, you can’t go wrong. So I’ve been catching up on a few films I missed at the cinema. Bright star is my favourite sort, costume drama, although I have to warn you it ends sadly. Beautifully filmed and directed it is the story of Fanny Brawne and the poet John Keats. His poem Bright star is believed to have been inspired by Fanny who is also of interest because of her needlework obsession….
If you are planning a wedding and looking for something unique the date for your diary is 6th February – Hand made: a wedding fairwhich will take place at The Old Bakery Studios in Truro.
There will be creative, original makers and service providers all in the amazing atmosphere of the studios, accompanied by live jazz with homemade teas available served in vintage crockery.
My studio will be open on the day and I’ll be taking part in the craft workshops – make your own corsages!
News from the Old Bakery Studios – Linda Ellis Photography
I was just chatting to the lovely Linda Ellis today, another colleague from the studios. If you are looking for a lady photographer to record your big day Linda specialises in weddings. She has a sensitive and gentle approach to her work. See more on her website.
Linda took some lovely shots of my studio back in the Autumn….
Talented up and coming milliner, Holly Young, makes amazing hats and fascinators in her studio at The Old Bakery.
You absolutely have to visit Holly if you are looking for something for a special occasion, or just love wearing hats. Her beautiful studio is a feast for the eyes, full of gorgeous headwear and vintage treasures waiting to be turned into unique creations. I often hear delighted exclaimations wafting down the corridor as Holly opens her door to visitors.
You will recieve a warm welcome from Holly who trained at The London College of Fashion and has worked for Justin Smith. She makes her headpieces to a very high standard and provides a bespoke service. Artfully incorporating vintage feathers into her current collection, Holly also uses beading, lace, flowers and vintage buttons.
I’m a big fan of Holly and love to see my dresses accessorised with exquisite pieces from her collection.
I love a bit of Christmas shopping in Falmouth, full of independent shops and this year the Craftpoint Christmas gift shop has opened its doors. It’s stuffed full of designer goodies from amazing local makers and includes one of my skirts and a few flowery things. The shop is open for three weeks only, conveniently in the heart of Falmouth at the Poly. Don’t miss out - it’s a pop up shop - only there until Christmas Eve!
Sarah Drew makes beautiful jewellery from recycled vintage pieces. Her current bridal rangeincorporates lace, beads and vintage brooches in a style which embodies the cool trend for unique bridal ensembles.
I love that Sarah’s studio is here at The Old Bakery. Not only is she a talented and lovely lady, but I’m sometimes lucky enough to get sneaky peeks at her latest work. Her vintage lace tiaras are a personal favourite to accessorise my own designs and Sarah once used some of my lace to perfectly match a dress.
