Tag Archives: wedding dress

Couture Adventures 2020: Focus on: PheonixQueen

I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.
This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels Assemble !
Each week I plan to focus on one of these amazing people and the character and creation we produced !

 

Today, let’s talk about The PheonixQueen !

Gold and red, textured silk and embroidered silk satin with elegant feathers, The PhoenixQueen rose to the occasion as a  TAV Creations Angel Superhero!

PhoenixQueen – getting casual – because…pants!
Dark and Dramatic – absolutely!

The Design

Custom evening ensemble:
Overdress Labour: $550
Pants: Labour $200

Venetia’s two-piece evening set features the comfort of a robe and pyjama pants in luxurious silk. We discussed many options as we were creating this original TAV Creations outfit, and were so pleased with the final look!

On a personal note: the red and gold silks came from a prolific Ottawa performer and teacher, Anjali < Anne-Marie Gaston> who passed away in 2018, after dedicating her life to bringing her love of Odissi and Bharatnyam style dance to Ottawa and beyond. These fabrics would have been used by her for back drops, for future costume pieces, etc. so it was bittersweet to have the opportunity to collect many of her fabrics and give them new life. #phoenix #usewhatyougot

NOTE: Pockets in the side seams of the overdress – yes! 

And the Chinese silk collar, made from a small remnant piece of fabric collected years ago,  brings colour and softness to the neckline!

Overdress
Supplies:

  • Gold silk 4m
  • Red Chinese silk .75m
  • Button 

Pants
Supplies:

  • Red thai silk 2 m
  • Elastic 

Matching headband $40

  • Red silk remnants that match
  • Elastic 
Gold and red silk wrap gown over pants – with pockets!!!

 

 

Couture Adventures 2020: Focus on: The Whine-icorn!

I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.
This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels Assemble !
Each week I plan to focus on one of these amazing people and the character and creation we produced !

 

Today, let’s talk about The Whine-icorn !

This TAV Creations Angel Superhero combines the powers of the teen and the unicorn in a tall talented soul!  

 

Let the teen be comfortable – bridesmaid or prom!

The Design

Prom dress/ Ball gown/ Bridesmaid dress

Labour $600

Original sketch brought to TAV Creations

Designed with the assistance of a school mate and then *organically created* in the TAV Creations Studio, this iridescent  blue textured gown is light and flows with a grounded feel.

It has the elegance of a ball gown with the flexibility to be dressed up, down or sideways with accessories and attitude.

Supplies:

  • Blue crinkle satin 6m
  • Interlining 1m
  • Boning 1m 

Crinoline- single layer:
Labour $45
Supplies:

  • pregathered/reclaimed crinoline 
  • 1.5m broadcloth

Fascinator:
Labour $45

Supplies:

  • comb, 
  • horsehair, 
  • applique, 
  • satin from dress
The Whine-icorn corset back gown by TAV Creations

 

 

*organically created*: This is the way of things in my studio…  we start at an inspired point and then the creation takes on a life of its own. The client has full input throughout the process and we decide together what changes may occur from the original idea to create a highly personalized finished piece! 

 

And a reminder that The Whine-icorn and Zombie Dragon Girl came as a team!

Couture Adventures 2020: Focus on Zombie Dragon Girl!

I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.

This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels I am super grateful to the folks who joined me this fall/winter in being my models/co-creators/willing superheroes to showcase my skills as a designer.

This year, the nature of my “collection” is more “adventures”– #TAVCreationsAngels Assemble !

Each week I plan to focus on one of these amazing people and the character and creation we produced !

 

Today, let’s talk about Zombie Dragon Girl!!  The juxtaposition of this superhero: a Darkness that gives Light in creativity and movement.

Zombie Dragon Girl in elegant Darkness she shines..

Zombie Dragon Girl had a clear vision of what her gown could be and the pieces all came together -from two separate donated gowns, a TAV Creations purse created in the 90’s, a sample veil that worked perfectly to enhance her distinct hair style!

 

TAV Creations sketch from ideas discussed!

Starting from a sketch that gave me the direction to head in, I had assembled the elements for our first meeting, and we kept just raving at how it could all work together!

The Design:

RE-Design and melding of Wedding gowns

Labour: $450

Two dresses, a sash, purse and veil from different sources all came together in the TAV Creations studio!

Zombie Dragon Girl’s Regency inspired silk gown was created by taking 2 wedding gowns , resizing, redesigning and reassembling to create this new piece. 

 

 

 

The original silk gown, shown here,  had full length set in sleeves, a “v” neckline in front and a lower waist line.

It was recut to remove any unsightly stains, the sleeves made into a new fun style, the skirt regathered into a more back waist emphasis. The train was reshaped to match the lace overskirt that was added.  

 The lace overskirt also offered up some appliqués to add to the donated veil to make it a fun matching headpiece 

Supplies:

  • Donated silk dress
  • Donated lace on tulle overskirt

Veil redesign 

Labour $30 

  • Donated veil
Using lace from the overskirt, I was able to create a bun wrap shape that kept the veil long and flowing.

 

Regency Hybrid gown
Zombie Dragon Girl “Regency Hybrid gown” – back view

 

The bonus of working with this TAV Creations Angel/ superhero, was that she came with a sidekick – The White-icorn! 🙂

 

Couture Journey – Winter Wonderland Coat

 


Winter Wonderland Coat:
Labour $350-$500

Andrea’s bridal coat represents an option to dress up an existing dress or add to a full ensemble custom concept.

The unlined jacket features some fun body flattering shaping with princess seams into pleats. The high low hem shows off the skirt while still creating a formal look.

Supplies:

  • Fabric 3m
  • Lace appliques – 4 pair
  • Hooks and eyes

 

The matching hair florals
Labour $90-$120

Made from the coat fabric to be either separately pinned into the hair or all in one piece.

 

“Ursula” Base Gown:
Labour unlined gown: $600-$900

Or – Adding upper bodice on existing strapless dress $150-$300

Andrea’s Ursula gown represents the possibility of adding upper bodice coverage to strapless gowns, the flattering lines of a princess style dress, and the options of having long sleeves in a slightly stretching fabric added to a solid gown.  With the added coverage, a regular bra can be worn.

Ursula – photo by Jared Young

Supplies:

  • Satin: 3m
  • Upper contrast fabric: 1m
  • Zipper
  • Horsehair 4m

 

 

 

 

Capital Wedding Show 2019 – what a weekend!

Thanks to all of you!

Thank you to my friends who helped me prepare for this weekend! Weeks of fittings, the photo shoots, the working the booth- every part helped create a space that was unique and fun for the brides and their crews coming through! And special note to Michelle, my bride from last year wearing her most amazing co-creation and sparkling personality – you rock!

Thank you to the brides who came with their people and stopped to chat, get more information and ask questions- there is a lot to figure out as you are planning your event, so I hope we were able to provide a bit of reassurance that yes, your dream dress is possible!

Thank you to the other vendors and businesses who were great to connect with and are open to creating a supportive system in the Ottawa area for bridal parties and beyond!

Thank you to Shelagh Mills and Steve Mills  of the Capital Wedding Show and all of their staff, as well as the Freeman staff – you folks ran a lovely show from a vendor perspective and all of your assistance and engagement along the way is amazing!

Thank you to my husband of almost 21 years for his support in the weeks leading up to and the few days in advance of it  all- his photography and tech skills help everything look amazing!

Tomorrow I will take some time to process the admin from this weekend as well as take some time to relax before starting back at it this week! Already time to get meeting new clients and get things rolling for an amazing 2019!

 

And we’re back!

Already fully booked this week, I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and seeing what pretty garments I’ll be able to play with this season!

I’m off to the Sewing Machine Hospital to pick up my babies – they also had their holiday time!

Fall weddings can be lovely, as can winter weddings so keep me in mind if you are looking for help creating your dream gown or just need some work done on your nearly there dream gown!

And Halloween cometh!  Already fielding costume requests, so get your emails to me asap < or use the contact form> to book some time for me to create something funtabulous for ya!

And sewing lessons – learn some of those basic skills yourself!

 

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Returning to the fold…

The nature of my work life has always been fluid.

Some weeks I’m super swamped with dance related gigs and classes, sometimes I’m working on EcoTAV pouches and napkins, sometimes I’m trapped in layers of tulle and cannot get out!

And changes flow through my life constantly; I think that’s why I live by appointment and booking, in order to maintain some sense of control 😉

The end of 2013 was marked by taking a break from working steadily with a local bridal salon that I had previously enjoyed working with, for about 3 years.  As their needs shifted, my time with them also shifted to occasional referrals and job opportunities, which enabled me keep close ties with the lovely owners.

While I really enjoyed the creative adventures I was able to go on with my clientele – nuns, dancers, and brides alike – and I did need the break from the constant tulle, I did miss working with Luxe Bridal‘s owners and clientele.  But the change of pace and more colour in my sewing space was a much needed benefit!

2014 brought about some major changes in my living quarters/ workspace, bringing about a move to a new apartment building and some financial juggling. And as mentioned, I was still working on occasion with Luxe…

a Luxe blog post 2015 - 05
The view from my new TAV Creations home studio is great!

 

After some preliminary discussions at the end of 2014, and some soul searching on my part, we determined a win-win situation where I can once again enjoy helping some of their lovely brides get the final tweaks on their dresses.  I have really had to determine my own strengths and establish some systems to maintain a healthy respect for my own creative process and time.

So in January of 2015 – after one last “referral” dress, I began my 3 month trial of working part time, in-house at the Luxe Bridal Dalhousie location.  It’s a bit of a joke about it being that 3 month probation period since I have worked with them in the past, but this is a new journey on so many levels for all of us!

And here we are at the beginning of April 2015.

April brings a shift in their world as the shop has moved to a new location, out of downtown < boo, I could walk to the other location>,  with a fresh approach to more appointment based bridal service  that will allow them to focus even more on the brides who book time to come in and receive their own personalize time with the consultants. Be sure to check them out online and on Facebook to find out more!

And I’ve now done my first bit of sewing in the new place – after setting up my own chair 🙂 . We still have stuff to figure out with the new location, but I am looking forward to the adventure and maybe even cycling there in a few weeks when the weather is warmer and the bike paths have cleared!

My title, remains, Couturiere...  or… if you have trouble with pronunciation, I’ll accept, while within the walls of Luxe Bridal, Alterations Specialist.

Note: I’m more than a seamstress, I’ve got paperwork that proves that, and while seamstresses are already a force of awesomeness, I’ve done my time to push myself to a slightly quirkier level… 🙂Couturiere Certification

 

And yes, TAV Creations is still rocking the creativity…

If you need some sewing done – be it creative design work or you are shopping for a wedding dress, I continue to be available to serve in whatever capacity helps bring your dream garments to life – costumes, bridal, religious, or otherwise!

I’ll just be found working in the back of Luxe Bridal on Wednesdays and Thursdays and some Saturdays…so forgive me if I don’t reply to emails as quickly on those days!

And, Lisa and Madeleine, thanks for inviting me back to the whacky fun!

The spirit of the Luxe Selfie!
The spirit of the Luxe Selfie!