New Year newsblog

Well, again, a bit of a hiatus in the blogging - apologies.
A few reasons - a longish but rushed job (two dresses in one - the Grace Kellyesque extravaganza), relaunching my website, AND the fact that I have a Facebook page for the business now, which is the quickest and easiest place to talk about latest news. But I still like the blog when I have time to do it - it's specifically sent to the people who I think/hope are interested, and it doesn't disappear down the plughole that is Facebook...!
I also do Twitter now, (though not the expert yet!), and I'm thinking that all this net activity is paying off - Atelier comes up for at least the first 10 Google searches if you Google Bobbie Seagroatt/weddings/Redolent or something similar. Atelier is far too general I now realise (too late!), but add Redolent or my name, and you'll easily find the Atelier website If you scroll down to the Atelier/Redolent tab on the bottom left, you can read about the idea behind 'Redolent' - items of personal meaning playing a big part in the design. Please let me know what you think of it.
With this new site, unlike the other one it's just replaced, I can easily add photos as they come, and show images of work in progress.
The Atelier facebook page is the best place for such things at the moment and my aim is to synchronise all my different places for the business, so that I don't have to do them all separately.
Latest excitement is that I have signed up for Oxfordshire Artweeks, which is run every year in Oxfordshire, and is a week of open studios/exhibitions etc. Although Atelier is possibly not 'art' as such, each item is a one off. It runs between 5th - 13th of May 2012 here's the link to my page:http://www.artweeks.org/festival/2012/in-u1290n3079
I'm busy designing and having new flyers/business cards printed at the moment, and am working on the second Redolent sample, which is a short black wedding dress!! I think it will be fab - fingers crossed. You can see the mull backing/interlining above - it's so delicate and light as a feather....

Speak soon,
Bobbie

August update

Hello Atelier people,

High time for an update - apologies for lack of a June and July blog - practical busy-ness, meant that the designing/making/teaching priorities had to take precedence, and my news and thoughts on fashion and style have had to take a back seat for a while.
However, a little breather now before a prospective new customer arrives...
Discussions yesterday with another future bride, and that 50's theme is still really popular, coupled with the shorter length, and lots of net petticoats. It's a flattering style for lots of different body shapes, unless you're very tiny, (could disappear in a sea of net!), in which case I would suggest the adorable chic 50's style a la Audrey Hepburn. To me, that look is one of the styles which represent the ultimate in femininity, understatement, and class. I also think that although the look is sophisticated, it's not serious, (think of the typical accessories - stilettos, patent handbags, cutsey little hats, corsages), and to my mind, a sense of humour in whatever you do makes life slip along nicely!!
Attempting to find the time to purchase some vintage fabric to make myself a dress that I can wear through the summer, but at this rate the summer will be gone!
Have found some amazing charity shop bargains in the last few weeks, but that's more of an Atelier classes subject, which I will write about soon on it's dedicated blog
Visited the Bath Museum of Fashion on Saturday, where they have a special exhibition of wedding dresses through history. This was interesting, though I thought that they were rather jammed in to the smallish exhibition space...quite inspirational however, and I loved the Alexander McQueen dress with hip padding, shorter at the front, and the greatest thing - a totally modern dress, made of antique lace.
Speak soon! Bobbie

Well, the man from Four Shires (regional glossy) magazine came a few days ago to interview and photograph me for Atelier (classic wedding dresses), and ecoEureko (the bespoke recycled alternative 'wedding and special' dress business).
All went very well (despite the snow), and I will have a nice big article with lots of photos in the in the wedding feature in the February issue. Phew! Well, yes, it's still not Vogue I know, but.....
Latest on the ecoEureko first sample, is that the finished pattern is now with my business partner for her 'ministrations', then we will consider what new fabric it needs as a compliment, and hey presto! (if only it was that simple), it will be finished.
We aim to make a small collection of 3 outfits, photograph them and then present to the world.