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.

Connie wears 'Renee' for Port Office Wedding Showcase

On Sunday we spent the morning at the lovely Port Office Hotel Wedding Showcase. A beautiful, intimate affair where over 30 brides came in to chat to the selected vendors, which Ella Moda was lucky to be a part of.

What a great morning, chatting to brides about their dresses and conjuring up some beautiful visions. Basically just doing what we love.

Our model Connie showcased our Renee gown, a tea length dress with full skirt and lace applique, perfect for a fun and elegant restaurant setting. These images were captured by Leoni Bolt Photography. How beautiful is the LED crystal tree in the background? 

Photographer: Leoni Bolt

Model: Connie from Sass Management

Hair/MUA: Maria from Facial Beauty

Ella Moda @ The Port Office Bridal Fair, Sun 22 Sept

Ella Moda will be joining in the fun at The Port Office Bridal Fair this Sunday, a showcase of local wedding suppliers. Ella Moda will be there with gorgeous new season wedding gowns and bridal headpieces. We look forward to meeting everyone!

Ella Moda featured in The Couture Collective on Queensland Bride

Queensland Bride magazine has featured Ella as part of as Couture Collective series, an insight into the inspirations behind couture wedding gowns.

For this feature, Ella spoke about the process behind Kateryna's beautiful custom-made gown. See the full article below.

With her family roots going back to dressmaking in Imperial Russia, Ella Stephenson has always been around workrooms full of beautiful fabric, beading and handmade gowns. With her label Ella Moda now garnering plenty of positive attention, Ella says she feels, “blessed that I get to do what I love every day ... making beautiful dresses for beautiful brides.” One of these beauties was Kateryna, who tried on 20 different gowns and originally had her hear t set on lace before finding ‘the one’ at Ella Moda’s Park Road showroom/workroom. 

How does this bride’s gown embody your label’s aesthetic? 

With the beautiful silk, fine details and hand finishes, this gown embodies the Ella Moda aesthetic of sophisticated romance, it is a classic silhouette with a few modern twists in the styling. It is luxurious, feminine yet customised for Kateryna to reflect her spirit.

Are there any key trends which you have featured in the gown’s design? 
There has been a move in haute couture back to embellishment and I feel this dress has that element with the embellishment through the sleeve and bodice. Asymmetric styles always give an interesting twist to a garment and have that ‘statement gown’ factor I keep seeing a lot on the couture catwalks.

Did the bride have any particular requirements for her dream gown? 

The bride wanted her gown to be made particularly for her, using good quality materials and expert craftsmanship therefore she opted for a local designer and dressmaker rather then ordering her dress overseas. Attention to detail was very important for her and she wanted her gown to be very flattering for her body shape as well as comfortable to wear for a whole day. She was very pleased with the results.

This gown was inspired by ... 
I am constantly inspired by beautiful fabrics and details. For this gown, inspiration led me towards the way the fabric looked so luxurious when hand rouched. Overall, a sense of romantic sophistication inspired the total design. 

Your best advice to girls looking for their dream gown? 
Like all things in life, being open and true to yourself is very important when looking for a wedding gown. Envision your dream gown but be open to possibilities. Consider all of the things you love and how these could be incorporated into a dress. Most of all, trust your instinct. It is an amazing moment when a bride tries on a dress in the salon and you can see she just knows it is right. Her whole face lights up. It is a beautiful moment. 

Ella Moda Bride | Katie in custom-made Ella Moda

Katie in a custom designed Ella Moda gown.

I can't thank you enough for the incredible wedding dress you created for me. It's the most beautiful thing I own and I felt amazing in it on the day. The material is gorgeous and you put a huge amount of care and attention to detail into making it. Every part of the dress exceeded my expectations - what you created was exactly what I saw in my head! You're an amazing dress maker and I would recommend you in a heart beat if anyone asks. Thank you for allowing me to have so many fittings and for being so kind and flexible when I popped in without appointments! You are one of a kind and you've made me the happiest bride :-)