This year has got to be one for the books. In addition to some of the over-the-top wedding dresses that we've done, we also got to go to Downton Abbey! Well, I didn't go to Downton Abbey, but my creation did!

It all started when Rob called. He was throwing a surprise birthday party for his incredible wife Amy, who happens to be one of our favorite people. He asked if I would be interested in designing a gown for the party which was to be held at Downton Abbey (aka Highclere Castle) of all places, but Amy couldn't know any of the details... AS IF THAT WERE A QUESTION!!! 

The only thing that Amy knew was that she was going to a white tie dinner in London with a 1920s theme, supposedly for Rob's work. Little did she know that behind the scenes, he had orchestrated 40 of her nearest and dearest to surprise her for dinner, including her 4 kids.

Back to the dress... I knew it had to be special and over the top, but how to do that without spilling the beans???? Luckily, Amy is one of the nicest people and was game as soon as I texted her the sketch and the swatch of fabric that I wanted to use.

 

Can we talk about that fabric? It's to DIE FOR. I've literally been hoarding it for 2 years, waiting for the perfect person/dress. It came from the Warner Brothers studio in the 60s, probably for some star, but one of my suppliers found it for me and knew that I would have to have it.  I DID.

Fast forward to 2017. We had the sketch, the fabric, and did I also mention the vintage beading that I had from Paris in the 20s? Yeah, well I did and that was that. We also had some black jet beading done exclusively for us that we added to the cape and shoulders of the dress.

I don't think I mentioned that we barely had a month to get this all done, but we did it, feathers and all!

The combination of people, place, and creativity was magical. The whole studio was so excited about working on the dress, and we gave it all our love before it made it's way across the ocean to Downton Abbey.

Needless to say. Amy was in for the shock of her life. I'd like to think that we helped to make the evening that much more special, but we all know it was in the hands of Mr. Carson and that magical dinner at Downton Abbey. 

When it was all said and done, Amy's friends presented her with a BEAUTIFUL, handmade book from Gunter Creative that documented the fairytale evening.

Photos at Downton Abbey courtesy of Dena Rafte.

Book Layout and Design by Gunter Creative. 

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