As all of you know, I live for bridal fashion, fashion shows, fashion weeks and new and different fashion designers. I recently conceptualized and styled Maddison Row and Bella Bridesmaid’s fashion show at Charleston Fashion Week’s Spring Bridal Show. This year, I teamed up once again with Allison Long of Bella Bridesmaid for a golden goddess, sunset color themed show. I love to go for the wow factor in anything I do so I challenge myself to find what is new and different yet practical that I can showcase in Charleston that has not been done before. Charlotte Hess, the winner of the CFW’s Emerging Competition in 2011 and I teamed up to create this one of a kind knitted bridal coat for our finale piece of the show. Last year, I worked with my good friend and talented designer Carol Hannah Whitfield to bring you the black dress that rocked the runway. SO what went into making this one of a kind gown? Months of planning and lots of time hand knitting and crafting this fabulous item went into this showstopper.
Back in August I contacted Charlotte about the possibility of collaborating on a finale look for the Spring Bridal Show. She was more than accomodating and was very excited to be stepping in to the bridal scene and when I explained our theme she went right to work on sketching. I received quite a few sketches in November and was so excited! Charlotte sent several over with knit swatches and different techniques she could do for the coat. We decided ivory would be the best color ( since it is bridal) and it would look in tune with our overall theme and golden headpieces we were working on. From there, we had 2 separate conference calls ( she lives in Rhode Island) about the general idea of what the coat should be like. I also wanted Charlotte to be as creative as she wanted to, so we had no idea what it would look like exactly until it arrived.
initial sketches of the coat
We had one more conference call touch base in the beginning of March to see how the coat was coming along and to talk about when it would be here and who would be wearing it. Charlotte was also in the process of showing her collection at CFW’s Finale Night as well so in addition to creating our coat she was also making over a 20 piece collection! She is one busy lady! Before we knew it, CFW was here. Charlotte flew in late Wednesday night and we scheduled a first fitting on Thursday afternoon. It would be the first time I saw the coat, ever. I was so excited I could barely contain myself. We chose Nikki, one of our models, to wear the coat. She was tall, skinny, had amazing long brown hair and was perfect for the overall look we were going for ( and she won the Rock the Runway model competition as well…icing on the cake) We first put Nikki in a silk jersey knit sheath gown with her custom gold leaf headpiece, gold coined necklace and then the coat. It was perfect. The length was great, the fit dead on and the overall look came together just as I had hoped back in August when I first called Charlotte. After a couple excited “yeah’s “Charlotte pinned a couple “tweeks” here and there and then we anxiously waited until Saturday.
CFW Bridal Show morning we were ready to roll. We had a driver pick Charlotte up at the last minute right before the shows started to help put Nikki in the coat. Since Charlotte was still putting the finishing touches on her collection for CFW that night, this was so AWESOME of her to take time out of her busy day to come to the tents and be there to see her creation rock the runway. Nikki was the last model to get dressed then it was time for the lineup and before we knew it the show started. We all were dancing backstage and having a great time, Charlotte was just as excited as we were about the overall look and feel of the show. It was so great that she was just as excited as we were!
I am really excited I got to share this amazing coat and experience with you all! You know how much I love to “step out of the box.” Charlotte is already working on her first custom bridal knit piece for a client so I would expect to see more looks like this in the future. Next up on the blog, bridal market! I can’t believe it is here again, so be on the lookout for my fashion adventures in the Big Apple. Until then!
~Lindsey
Lindsey@kristinnewmandesigns.com
For more of Charlotte’s work please visit her website:
Photos: Corbin Gurkin
