May 8th, 2011
Spring/Summer Accessories from Dainty Dora
Striking new designs spanning elegance, sophistication, bridal, pretty, sweet and fun from the Dainty Dora Shop in Folksy. A pick of the favs:
August 10th, 2008
The Dress
Arguably the most important component of the wedding day, the wedding dress is causing a bit of a problem at the moment.
I have a dress, but I’ve changed my mind. I want a different dress. But really there is nothing whatsoever wrong with the existing dress. Am I being foolish here? Needlessly chasing a second dress, when I have a sumptuous gown fit for a princess not more than a metre away in my very own wardrobe? I don’t think so, as I’ve now decided its the wrong colour. It’s perfect. But the wrong colour. And that’s important.
It’s an absolutely stunning, brand new (with tags) bridal gown from couture designer Ronald Joyce. In a rich satin of ‘clotted cream’, the bust is encrusted with crystal beading in a very unusual scallop-edge bust line. An in-built corset and elasticated strap means it does the hard work for you – so I wouldn’t need a separate corset (which is what I had originally thought, and had my eye on an Agent Provocateur number, but now I can get one of those as well!)
The clever gathering/ruching down the torso gives a very flattering effect, which merges into an A-line skirt with three gathers that would be much more pronounced once ironed out and fitted properly on the body. Inside the lining and tulle are impeccably white and perfect. A tulle underskirt provides a bit of body, and I was originally planning an additional hooped underskirt to really go to town on the ‘I’m a toilet-roll-holder doll’ look!
The train is classic and forms a delicate, neat circle behind the dress, which can be bustled up for the evening (bustle ribbons have not yet been added though). It is a zip fastening at the back, and comes with matching straps, though I much prefer the bandeau strapless look. This would sit perfectly with the matching stole in the same crystal beading at the edges as on the bust.
Basically, I was in ‘wedding dress excitement’ mode, and I bought this dress on a wave of bridal fever (the first dress I tried on!). We bonded, we connected, it felt right. However I realise now that if I was shopping for cup-cakes, impulse buying would not be something I would come to regret! An expensive mistake to make.
If this divine Ronald Joyce number (style number 54019) sounds like it could be the one for you, or a friend who is looking for a wedding gown with couture affiliations, then please email me for more info as I would love to hear from other budding brides and share the Ronald Joyce love.
I am a marilyn-monroe-esque curvy UK size 16 and this dress gave me the most wonderfully flattering shape. For an idea of how this gown looks on, follow this link, hovering over the bottom left image which shows the exact same gown in white.