Edith Head sketches... We're Inspired!

It was Edith Head's birthday yesterday. And so we have been lucky enough to stumble across a retrospective of her work with original sketches of designs done for old Hollywood icons such as Sophia Loren, Joan Crawford, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly (always an Ella Moda style icon).

Here we share some of these designs and enjoy looking at the art of fashion sketching, which is something we often love doing with our couture service brides.

Don't you think they make fabulous wedding gown ideas? We are feeling very inspired!

Elizabeth Taylor in A Place in the Sun (1951)

Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina (1954)

Elizabeth Taylor in A Place in the Sun (1951)

Joan Crawford

Grace Kelly in Rear Window (1954)

Images courtesy of Visual Therapy

People's Choice Awards - Vote for Ella Moda!

The next installment of the People's Choice Awards - an easy and fun Facebook competition.

Featuring all the entries from the Queensland Brides Design Awards recently held at the Convention Centre in Brisbane, Facebook fans are now given the chance to have their say on which wedding dresses they think deserve a winning place. Casting your vote is simple, the gown with the most 'likes' wins.

Ella Moda featured a gown in each of the following categories:

For Bride Nouveau, we entered our SHARNA gown, a sweet, shorter style cocktail dress with a vintage inspired neckline detailed with appliqued lace. A full skirt completes this look for a bride looking for something fun, sassy and completely girly for her wedding day.

To vote for our SHARNA gown as the People's Choice for Bride Nouveau, click 'like' here.

The Couture category is always a favourite as designers are given the chance to really showcase their creativity. Ella Moda's ROYALLE gown is a white silk dupion creation with pleating detail. The main feature is a beautiful Swarovski crystal embellishment, placed asymmetrically on the bodice.

To vote for our ROYALLE gown as the People's Choice for Couture, click 'like'here.

A big thank you to our beautiful models from Tamblyn's and Sass Management.

People's Choice Awards - Like Ella Moda!

Queensland Brides Magazine is busy posting all of the gowns that were entered in the Design Awards. The idea is a Facebook People's Choice Awards. The dresses with the most likes win! 

Ella Moda had two entries in the Classique category, the first is the TARA gown, a beautiful fit and flare style of tulle with sequin leaves and beads, traditional and elegant. Click like and help us win the People's Choice award.

The SHARNA gown is our second entry and was awarded a Highly Commended by the panel of judges on the day. A lace bodice with dropped waist sits atop a romantic tulle and organza skirt. The SHARNA gown is all about fresh, youthful love and aims to ensure the bride makes a statement on her wedding day. Click like and help us win the People's Choice award.

Ella Moda wins 'Highly Commended' at the QLD Bride Design Awards

On Friday night we were thrilled to have Ella Moda gowns featured in the QLD Bride Design Awards. With four gowns nominated, it was our Sharna gown (featured at the top) that captured the judge's attention, gaining a Highly Commended award in the Classique category.

The competition was fierce with many exciting local bridal labels showcasing their best wares. It was an honour to be featured amongst such amazing talent.

A big thank you to Tamblyn's Models for organising the parade, Maria-Luisa Steer from Facial Beauty for the hair and makeup and QLD Bride Magazine for the hosting of this prestigious bridal event.

Bespoke Bridal - Why So Special?

Like so many things in this modern world, when it comes to choosing a wedding gown, there are many choices. Off-the-rack, made-to-measure, bespoke and couture are some of the terms frequently used (often incorrectly), adding to the confusion.

Ella Moda specialises in custom-made and bespoke bridal. 

For our custom-made service, each season Ella Moda showcases a collection of sample gowns, which brides can then view in the salon. Once a gown from the collection is selected, the original design is made to the brides measurements. This process allows for some customisation in terms of design, fabric selection and colour.

Ella Moda's bespoke service offers brides a chance to sit down with a Design Consultant and discuss an original vision for a dream wedding gown. Pictures and sketches inform the process and fabric is often pinned and draped by hand as the bride makes each decision, under the professional guidance of a Designer.

Both our custom-made and bespoke services require a bride to be present at a number of fittings. The wedding gown is first 'toiled' in calico to ensure fit and style. From here the final fabric is cut and the gown constructed over a period of time, piece by piece, detail by detail. 

Having something made exclusively for oneself not only offers a beautifully finished product but a highly enjoyable process where the focus is entirely on the bride and achieving her dreams.

BTS Ella Moda Photo Shoot

Yesterday we had a photo shoot for the latest Ella Moda creations (and some old favourites too). This is all in the name of the new website which is due to be launched at the end of this month (fingers crossed!)

Our beautiful model Taryn Carlton (Sass Management) was primped and preened by make-up artist Maria-Luisa from Facial Beauty. Inspired by Taryn's natural look, Maria chose to keep her look fresh and velvety with a classic low bun and middle part. We loved it!

Our photographer was the amazingly talented Daniel Sangermani and the shoot took place in his studio - just freshly renovated and painted, Ella Moda was lucky to be the first client in there!

 Taryn in one of our latest gowns, "Erin"

We have a feeling soft pinks are going to be very popular in the new season!

The crew for the day: myself, models Taryn and Marianna, styling assistant and intern extraordinaire Amy and of course our photographer Dan.