Dreaming in black & white

This is strictly black and cream but would work just as well in white.

It was commissioned to match a specific dress and I think the cream looks softer than white. The silk underneath the lace really lifts the pattern. I use masses of fabric for the gathers which makes the bags spacious and sumptuous.

I ruffled the handles a little and added a silk bow.

For the hair here is a vintage, bohemian floral look. This is great for jazzing up a simple dress. I used cream dupion silk for the roses and natural freshwater pearls to pick up the light.

Apologies for not updating the shop. All available items will be up shortly. All of my products are limited edition or one offs so you need to be quick! I make many things to order too so don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Peacock feather digital printed silk handbag

Peacock feathers hold a magic for me. They conjure up images of exotic gardens and maharajas. They are timeless and never go out of fashion. Thankfully they will also go with a huge array of colours.

I’ve had this beautiful silk for a while now and wanted to save it up for something special. I could only afford a couple of yards which make it all the more precious to me. I came up with a gathered bag with navy leather handles.

I have teamed it with this amazing white lace dress from Coast.

At £145 it is lucky that I found it in the sale!

I know white is the most impractical colour but I think when I wear this it will be for a very special occasion!

With Royal Ascot on the brain and all the fabulous Jubilee celebrations I have been observing many hats, bags and shoes of late. There is no doubt that feathers look fantastic on the head although I am in favour of the ‘less is more’ mentality here. Birds nest fascinators are really not great are they? Sorry Kate!

I once attended a mid-winter wedding where the lucky couple got snowflakes as we came out of the church. One of the guests was an immaculate lady in her 50’s wearing a peacock feather spray that covered her crown but didn’t look ostentatious. She had a blue and gold brocade cape and I have never forgotten how glamorous understated and graceful she looked.

This hat was designed by Jane Taylor for Ascot last year.

Looking around at other dresses I also found inspiration from this Matthew Williamson silk creation.

Or perhaps this gorgeous 1980’s vintage Liberty print dress for just £45 from circavintage.co.uk

And for your walls, this bold print from Danish company Ferm Living certainly makes a feathery impression.

Vintage rose hairband

I also had time yesterday to make a bridal headband with a vintage rose spray from a couture wedding dress having seen better days. I bought the dress in a secondhand shop as the amount of silk and Chantilly lace was too good to resist. At a uk size six it isn’t one I will ever fit in to…

The dress was an original made to measure 1996 Sassi Holford Nadia creation.

 I liked the flowers in the model’s hair and used that as my inspiration. It was satisfying giving a new life to this gorgeous handmade floral attachment. It originally sat at the back of the corset. If only I could make silk flowers like this!

I attached the rose spray onto an alice band for a fresh new look.