Many of our customers take the time to send us photographs of the gorgeous dresses and other garments they have created using our fabrics. All of these photographs go into our fabulous online gallery but some are so breathtaking that we just have to get in touch with the maker to find out more about their wonderful creations. Most recently, we got in touch with Christel Beukes to tell us about her magnificent wedding dress.
As soon as she had decided to tie the knot, Christel began the happy and exciting search for the perfect material with which to create her dream dress. After browsing the crowded online marketplace, Christel chose Platinum Bridal Fabrics thanks to our extensive collection, reputation for quality and professional sample service, which offers samples of a generous size with detailed descriptions.
Though our sample sizes are large and many were supplied, Christel soon 'exhausted the service', as she puts it! Still undecided as to exactly which fabrics she would use to create the once-in-a-lifetime garment, Christel arranged to visit us in person along with her mother, who flew in from South Africa especially and would be making the dress once the fabrics were chosen. Duncan Weisters, MD at Platinum Bridal Fabrics, was more than happy to personally assist Christel and her mother, arranging for a variety of Christel’s shortlisted fabrics to be seen in their full glory.
Christel had a very clear vision of the style she wanted to achieve; a base of oyster-coloured satin overlaid with lace would create a vintage look, enhanced by a low-cut illusion back, two-tier veil and a short yet striking train. The wedding day had a 'Roses' theme, that being the bride's favourite flower, so a lace featuring the pretty bloom was essential.
For the base of the dress, Christel chose Duchess Satin in a soft oyster tone, lined with Celebration 100% Silk Habotai in ivory which added breathability without sacrificing shape. To create the sheer veil and illusion back, Crescendo tulle was used to great effect, as can be seen from the gorgeous photos sent to us by Christel.
Christel chose Maria lace to add to her gown. This corded border lace consists of the finest tulle ground which is shot through with exquisitely-embroidered dainty rose motifs that were in perfect proportion to the unique and complex pattern of Christel's dress. This pattern, with unusually-wide pieces and bordered hem, was easily created using the generously-sized Maria lace and the subtle gold colouration of the filigree embroidery thread perfectly matched Christel’s vision.
To complete this wonderful creation, Christel's mother used leftover lace to carefully create motifs which were then sewn by hand around the neck and into symmetrical patterns around the back of the dress, softening the lines and enhancing the fabric by filling in any gaps between motifs. The quality of the embroidery, which incorporated seed beads, transparent sequins and freshwater pearls, is truly astonishing and Christel says that, of all the wedding dresses that her mother has created, this one was the 'masterpiece'.
Christel was overjoyed with the final dress, and said that it was 'exactly what (she) wanted'. Asked to describe her experience with Platinum Bridal Fabrics, Christel said, "I was more than 100% happy with Bridal Fabrics and will highly recommend them to anyone".
We would like to thank Christel for her kind words and for sharing her story with us. If you would like to feature in our online gallery and perhaps have a feature like this one written about your dress, send us your photographs to info@bridalfabrics.co.uk. If you need any further information, don't hesitate to call us on 01254 873333.
