From the Old Hollywood Era starring the likes of Bette Davis and Ava Gardener, to modern day style icons like Scarlett Johanssen and Taylor Swift, we can always count on celebrities to push the fashion envelope. There are certain dresses that cannot be described merely as a fashion statement, some that are so iconic they can really only be described as defining an era. From Geri Halliwell's Union Jack dress, to Lady Gaga's creation worn to the 2010 VMA's and crafted entirely from meat, some dresses are so iconic you could say that they are more famous than the wearer themselves. In 1994 at the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Liz Hurley wore a design by Versace held together only by oversized gold safety pins, this was a dress so famous it became known overnight as simply, "That Dress". With a little help from her beau Hugh Grant, That Dress was instrumental in catapulting Liz to the A-List of celebrity where she has remained ever since. For decades, celebrities have been using fashion as their secret weapon to ensure column inches, appearance fees and adoration and women look to our fashion icons for a lead. However, there are some dresses that have stood the test of time and are still admired and recreated in sewing rooms the world over by women hoping to make a similar impact. As a tribute to our favourite style heroes, we count down five of the most iconic dresses of all time and reveal which fabrics from our collection will help you to achieve these show stopping designs.
5. Jessica Rabbit's Red Dress
[caption id="attachment_5991" align="alignleft" width="200"]
Zoe in her Jessica Rabbit replica. Photography by Beth Dooner.[/caption]
Although this famous dress was created by an animator rather than by a fashion designer, the provocative design with it's bustier and tiny waist has spawned a million copycat creations. Making it's first appearance in the 1988 feature film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, this striking design with its daring neckline and tantalising thigh split, is still being copied on the red carpet today. In 2011 Jessica Biel paired a similar design with elbow length pink gloves for an appearance on Saturday Night Live and similar designs have been seen gracing the red carpet on celebrities such as Rosie Huntington-Whitely. For your own version of this truly show stopping creation, our range of Showtime Fabrics are perfect. Our own dressmaking specialist, Zoe created this stunning piece using our Purple Round Sequin Fabric teamed with a pair of satin gloves. Zoe lined her creation with our gorgeous Dress Lining Fabric and made a corset made from cotton steel boning to achieve that hour glass shape which is guaranteed to stop traffic.
4. Scarlett O'Hara - The Curtain Dress
In the 1939 Civil War epic, Gone With The Wind, Hollywood darling Vivien Leigh wore an elaborate creation crafted from green velvet fabric. Costume designers working on set chose the stunning emerald colour specifically to complement Vivien's beautiful raven hair and piercing eyes. The dress was worn in three scenes and was designed to look as though it had been crafted by Scarlett's own hand from her drawing room draperies in order to impress Rhett Butler to secure his financial assistance. Many of our dressmaking clients are commissioned not only for wedding and party dress designs but also for theatre costumes. This time of year when plays and pantomimes are taking to stages up and down the country our more lustrous fabrics such velvet, velour and taffeta are flying through our doors as drama groups and fashion students strive to emulate the deep, regal colours and air of nobility for their period costumes.
3. Audrey Hepburn - Black Dress and Pearls
[caption id="attachment_5985" align="alignleft" width="107"]
Audrey Hepburn's Black Dress and Pearls[/caption]
When we think of Audrey Hepburn, we think of style and grace. Audrey is the epitome of a fashion icon and this elegant creation worn whilst depicting Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's, defined Audrey's hugely successful career and is arguably the most famous black dress of all time. This is the perfect look for almost any black tie event, from Christmas parties to a company dinner this design will really set you apart. This look can be achieved using many of our dressmaking fabrics but for a truly luxurious design which will feel wonderful against your skin, our black Soire Silk Fabric is an ultra elegant fabric which drapes extremely well. For a cost effective design, a more wearable version of this dress can be achieved using our Memphis Bi-Stretch Fabric. This comfortable and easy to wear Fabric is ideal for an office gathering or family dinner but don't forget your string of pearls, imperative to achieving that touch of class that came almost second nature to Ms. Hepburn.
2. Kate Middleton's Wedding Gown
On 29th April 2011 the world waited with baited breath to see what stunning gown Katherine Middleton would wear as she wed William, Prince of Wales. As she stepped out of the car at Westminster Abbey, we were certainly not to be disappointed with the incredible lace gown designed by Sarah Burton for McQueen. Arguably, Katherine's gown is not yet considered to be as iconic as that of her late mother in law, Diana's elaborate wedding dress, but it is most certainly a more elegantly modern and wearable design which has been emulated by brides the world over. Gone are the days of enormous taffeta skirts and dress hoops, brides of today are coveting a more elegant design and lace fabrics have certainly risen in popularity thanks in no small part to The Duchess. Due to its versatile nature, our Heavy Corded Lace Fabric has long been incredibly popular as a dressmaking fabric but since the wedding season of 2012 we have seen a sharp rise in its popularity for elaborate wedding gowns. Katherine's gown was widely reported to have cost in the region of £250,000 but with our range of gorgeous, value for money bridal fabrics you too can achieve this look for a fraction of the cost. With a bodice crafted from ivory satin and a long full skirt of tulle (dress net) you can feel like royalty on the most important day of your life.
1. The Seven Year Itch
In not just one of the most iconic dresses of all time, but one of the most iconic images ever to come out of Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe is pictured standing over a subway grate with her white dress billowing up around her. From the 1955 smash hit movie, this is one of the most iconic dresses of all time and most certainly of the 20th century. Many have tried to to achieve Marilyn's movie star look for many events including fancy dress parties. Marilyn's outfit was crafted using a rayon-acetate crepe fabric with a zipper at the back of the bodice and tiny buttons adorning the halter. Our Crepe Dressmaking Fabric is a heavier weight material meaning you can achieve the same traffic stopping look but without the chance of having a 'Marilyn moment" at the slightest gust of wind.
[caption id="attachment_5986" align="aligncenter" width="199"]
Marilyn Monroe in the iconic Seven Year Itch Dress[/caption]
Have you created a replica of any iconic costumes? As always, we love to see your designs uploaded to our Facebook page.
Until next time!
Calico Laine
* Photography credit to Beth Dooner https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beth-Dooner-Photography/148460791866549?fref=ts
Zoe in her Jessica Rabbit replica. Photography by Beth Dooner.[/caption]
Although this famous dress was created by an animator rather than by a fashion designer, the provocative design with it's bustier and tiny waist has spawned a million copycat creations. Making it's first appearance in the 1988 feature film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, this striking design with its daring neckline and tantalising thigh split, is still being copied on the red carpet today. In 2011 Jessica Biel paired a similar design with elbow length pink gloves for an appearance on Saturday Night Live and similar designs have been seen gracing the red carpet on celebrities such as Rosie Huntington-Whitely. For your own version of this truly show stopping creation, our range of Showtime Fabrics are perfect. Our own dressmaking specialist, Zoe created this stunning piece using our Purple Round Sequin Fabric teamed with a pair of satin gloves. Zoe lined her creation with our gorgeous Dress Lining Fabric and made a corset made from cotton steel boning to achieve that hour glass shape which is guaranteed to stop traffic.
4. Scarlett O'Hara - The Curtain Dress
In the 1939 Civil War epic, Gone With The Wind, Hollywood darling Vivien Leigh wore an elaborate creation crafted from green velvet fabric. Costume designers working on set chose the stunning emerald colour specifically to complement Vivien's beautiful raven hair and piercing eyes. The dress was worn in three scenes and was designed to look as though it had been crafted by Scarlett's own hand from her drawing room draperies in order to impress Rhett Butler to secure his financial assistance. Many of our dressmaking clients are commissioned not only for wedding and party dress designs but also for theatre costumes. This time of year when plays and pantomimes are taking to stages up and down the country our more lustrous fabrics such velvet, velour and taffeta are flying through our doors as drama groups and fashion students strive to emulate the deep, regal colours and air of nobility for their period costumes.
3. Audrey Hepburn - Black Dress and Pearls
[caption id="attachment_5985" align="alignleft" width="107"] Audrey Hepburn's Black Dress and Pearls[/caption]
When we think of Audrey Hepburn, we think of style and grace. Audrey is the epitome of a fashion icon and this elegant creation worn whilst depicting Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's, defined Audrey's hugely successful career and is arguably the most famous black dress of all time. This is the perfect look for almost any black tie event, from Christmas parties to a company dinner this design will really set you apart. This look can be achieved using many of our dressmaking fabrics but for a truly luxurious design which will feel wonderful against your skin, our black Soire Silk Fabric is an ultra elegant fabric which drapes extremely well. For a cost effective design, a more wearable version of this dress can be achieved using our Memphis Bi-Stretch Fabric. This comfortable and easy to wear Fabric is ideal for an office gathering or family dinner but don't forget your string of pearls, imperative to achieving that touch of class that came almost second nature to Ms. Hepburn.
2. Kate Middleton's Wedding Gown
On 29th April 2011 the world waited with baited breath to see what stunning gown Katherine Middleton would wear as she wed William, Prince of Wales. As she stepped out of the car at Westminster Abbey, we were certainly not to be disappointed with the incredible lace gown designed by Sarah Burton for McQueen. Arguably, Katherine's gown is not yet considered to be as iconic as that of her late mother in law, Diana's elaborate wedding dress, but it is most certainly a more elegantly modern and wearable design which has been emulated by brides the world over. Gone are the days of enormous taffeta skirts and dress hoops, brides of today are coveting a more elegant design and lace fabrics have certainly risen in popularity thanks in no small part to The Duchess. Due to its versatile nature, our Heavy Corded Lace Fabric has long been incredibly popular as a dressmaking fabric but since the wedding season of 2012 we have seen a sharp rise in its popularity for elaborate wedding gowns. Katherine's gown was widely reported to have cost in the region of £250,000 but with our range of gorgeous, value for money bridal fabrics you too can achieve this look for a fraction of the cost. With a bodice crafted from ivory satin and a long full skirt of tulle (dress net) you can feel like royalty on the most important day of your life.
1. The Seven Year Itch
In not just one of the most iconic dresses of all time, but one of the most iconic images ever to come out of Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe is pictured standing over a subway grate with her white dress billowing up around her. From the 1955 smash hit movie, this is one of the most iconic dresses of all time and most certainly of the 20th century. Many have tried to to achieve Marilyn's movie star look for many events including fancy dress parties. Marilyn's outfit was crafted using a rayon-acetate crepe fabric with a zipper at the back of the bodice and tiny buttons adorning the halter. Our Crepe Dressmaking Fabric is a heavier weight material meaning you can achieve the same traffic stopping look but without the chance of having a 'Marilyn moment" at the slightest gust of wind.
[caption id="attachment_5986" align="aligncenter" width="199"] Marilyn Monroe in the iconic Seven Year Itch Dress[/caption]
Have you created a replica of any iconic costumes? As always, we love to see your designs uploaded to our Facebook page.
Until next time!
Calico Laine
* Photography credit to Beth Dooner https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beth-Dooner-Photography/148460791866549?fref=ts