Rowanjoy real bride - Marianne

Gosh Marianne's dress is one I have been wanting to shout about for a good while as it turned out to be a bit of a new favourite version of an old design. 

When Marianne first came to try on dresses probably over 2 years before her wedding date, she was torn between 2 dresses - The Cecelia and The Grace. Both looked utterly gorgeous on her but neither were 100% what she wanted. We decided to combine the 2 styles using the soft blush silk of the cecelia dress and the silhouette and shape of the Grace with a little twist with the lowered back detail. I knew we were onto a winner. The dress has such a beautiful vintage quality and looks spectacular when combined with the cathedral length veil with gold edging that Marianne also commissioned me to make. I think Marianne looks like she could have walked out of a glorious 1930's melodrama!

I love when making a few changes to one of my designs makes the dress look completely different to the original and gives it a whole new feel. I may have gone a bit image heavy but how could I resist when the photos are so gorgeous of course by the ever talented Caro Weiss. 

Warning - I've got lots more beautiful brides coming up to share in the next couple of weeks.

Rowan x

Photos copyright Caro Weiss

Edinburgh Fashion Festival Makers Market.

This week sees the start of the fourth Edinburgh International Fashion Festival on the 23rd July. This year the festival is focusing on sustainability, education and digital relevance and has a wide ranging and interesting program of events and talks to attend. One of these events is the Makers Market on 25th/26th July which is taking place right here at Hill Street Design House. Along with my fellow resident Hill Streeters we will be joined by some of the best designers and makers in Scotland. See who is taking part here. All the hill street residents will have their studios open and I will have my stand in my studio so its a great opportunity to have a nose and see where everything gets made ( I promise it will be tidy)

I am currently manically sewing away in the studio creating a selection of new pieces which will be for sale over the weekend. Some of my best selling designs like the Jessie Dress and scalloped edge shorts will be made up in some gorgeous new prints and patterns and also a couple of new one-off pieces. I will also have a sale rail of previous season pieces all either one-offs or limited editions. It is a great opportunity to support independent and local designers so look forward to seeing lots of your faces this weekend.

Rowan x