GUESTBOOK: Sign ~
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JUNE & JULY
Let there be even more lace.
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Of course there was also the domestic plus - I left this note for my love on my way out of the house one morning:
"Hun, dishes in dishwasher clean. Would you please clear the bigger bits that are left." Followed by mushy love stuff. Followed by: "N.B. I'm trying to be dishwashing avoidy - it dries the skin on my fingers & then I keep catching the fine tulle when I'm working with it. It is soooo regretable that dress making & housework don't mix!!!"
Unfortunately dishes & 'M' don't mix either!
*Liz, who married Ron on Saturday 23rd at Chewton Glen Hotel in the New Forest, looked out of this world - a golden mermaid dripping in crystals. The gown was so complemented by the weather - the fine organza ribbons, tulle sleeves & even the train fluttered in the light breeze & the golden threads in the lace & the beadwork shone in the sunlight. Though, as readers will know, I do not make 'authentic, period' gowns & this design was no exception with it's medieval sleeves, 18th century style corset & fishtail skirt, seeing Liz moving in it - walking away up the path with the photographer, etc.......... reminded me so much of Jane Seymour in 'Somewhere in Time', of 'Titanic' & of Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady - dresses that are in fact totally different but the feeling was the same.
I was so thrilled with finally seeing this vision I'd had in my head so long.
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Like Ukachi (dressing) & Catriona (hair, make-up, dressing) last month, I was there on the day to get Liz into her dress & dress her hair which was piled into a large elegant chignon - into which I placed floral pins at the base of the hair & slid a Butterfly comb I had also made, in shades of Swarovski crystals to match the gown, into the front. Combined with last months brides, my latest creations almost look like a collection
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* Liz is also the mother of a trio of beautiful daughters & one baby boy (yes she has 4 children & has a figure like that!) It occured to me recently that quite a number of my brides have children, probably due to the fact that the average age of Brides is now 34 & that my work attracts brides that are in their late 20's, 30's & occassionaly in their 40's. Brides that have the self confidence that comes with the years & who, on their wedding day, definitely do not want to be Little Miss Average.
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Granted it's art but on a surreal scale of 1-10 would it even score a 3?
Earlier in the month I took a day to go to the V&A & catch the Kylie costume exhibition before it closed & double that with the Surreal Things exhibit.
In hindsight I should have checked out the website first & not gone on the first impressions given off by the fabulous poster that advertised the show because then I'd have known to give it a wide birth!
Surreal things? I have more surreal things in my house than there was in this exhibition - there's Esmerelda our ceris pink, plastic duck watering can (brought home from Urban Outfitters after a trip to Manchester) - it turns out my love 'M' likes to name our surreal menagerie because as well as naming our watering can, 'M' has also named our (he'd probably prefer it if I said my here) pink pigeon lights Walter (Walter 1 & Walter 2) - they are a design classic by Ed Carpenter & I first saw them eons ago at the Design Museum in London when I went to the Manolo Blahnik exhibit. Not that 'design classic' or 'unbelivably kitsch' or 'cool' mean anything to my family because my taste in lighting was thoroughly ridiculed when I brought Walter home two Christmas's ago. I finally brought him & Walter 2 home to our home ('M's & mine) the other day not knowing what his take on them would be but being on the 'completely on my wavelength' man he is, 'M', he say yay. Walter one is now residing on our wrought iron headboard, happy amongst 2 sets of pink rose fairy lights. Of course 'surreal' is everywhere these days & as well as Walter 1 my bedroom also has other surreal objects like my Victor & Rolf Flower Bomb perfume - the bottle is a glass grenade & my Gaultier perfume - the bottle is of a female torso wearing a corset. Then there's my Moulin Rouge lamp, my Cow Parade cow collection, Anna my Alessi bottle opener, my knitted fairy cakes which are on a cake stand on top of the telly, my Ghost clock (another design destined to be a classic by a company called Innermost) & our fairy cake oven timer. I also have a Gaultier umbrella the handle of which is a female torso just like the perfume bottle & somewhere I have a Gaultier / Piper Heidsieck red, rubber corseted champagne bottle - both surreal & kinky.
To top off the dullest exhibition in the world - OK dull apart from the Mae West lips Sofa & some lobster telephones but not even a Dali melting clock (!), the Surreal shop attached to the exhibition had on sale, amongst other dull, uninspiring objects, bracelets made of shells & even bags of shells (well whilst they were at the suppliers!) Tooty bracelets - like you'd buy in the shell shop in Looe (Cornwall) - a place I had the joy of frequenting many times when on my hols as a kid. They used to sell chandeliers made of shells, well come to think of it, anything & everything made of or covered in shells (jewellery boxes, etc. you know the type of thing) - so does that mean the Shell Shop in Looe is one huge surreal experience? No! The Shell shop in Looe is the answer to 'what to do if it's raining & the kids are bored', it is not a cultural visit.
There are so many fabulous surreal items around at the moment that it's a shame this exhibition couldn't have celebrated those instead of the dated 'art' the V&A chose to exhibit. I suppose at least I did get to see
Schiaparelli's famous shoe hat that I had had to hear about countless times from Vivienne my tutor at fashion design college, over half my lifetime ago! I can still remember her squawking, parrot like at us (with actions to match) "shoe on the head, shoe on the head" - a concept which she seemed to think was exceptionaly exciting. The hat was indeed an upturned shoe shape, as described, made in fabric but not particularly attractive & it didn't bowl me over with how marvelously inspired it was - I just thought 'oh look, it's that hat Vivienne used to get excited about'. Other non exciting items - an oval long bench/sofa & stool combo, apparently inspired by clouds but quite frankly they just looked like modern office type furniture you might see in a reception area - judge for yourself: http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites/1558_surrealthings/vandaAssets/surrealThings/images/bigImages/12.jpg - it's one of the exhibits highlights & a blue tea set with a print of pink gloves which may have been made to look like they were birds in flight (my memory of this is already, thankfuly, fading). I thought I understood what surreal was but have to confess I came out of that exhibition a bit confused & with a desire to ask for my money back. In fact the most surreal thing I saw that day was the sight of a oriental lady in her 50's, long black skirt & jacket, white blouse, sensible lace up shoes, hair swept up in a bun, sitting on the tube with a 'Poste Mistress' bag on her lap. Now from what I remember the 'Poste Mistress' shop in Monmouth St, has an array of interesting shoes, Westwoods & the like, so seeing this neat, prim, quiet looking lady with that bag, imagining some sexy or at the very least un-sensible, un-conventional, dare I even say colourful shoes? Did seem just a tad surreal ;) Later that week I also saw on the news that Bollywood had come to Castleford, Yorkshire & that too struck me as just a bit surreal! My friend said that Calender TV up there had been running a competion for one lucky family to have a Bollywood star come round for tea - again, surreal!!!!
Above some of my Surreal bits. I do like my Surrealism to be useful too so most things I buy do something with the exception of my cows (I never thought I'd 'collect' anything figurine like & here I am with a herd!)
Other cool surreal/fun items one can purchase for one's home:
A Voodo knife block (my folks gave my sister this as a moving gift)
An Alessi carrot & bunny kitchen roll holder
Innermost's Ghost candlearbra, vase & floridium
Stereo Sqealers
Pylones's products
I may add more, if I think of anything else.
Oh & whist I was looking up the shoe hat I found this piece of Surreal Art by Meret Oppenheim - I couldn't be happier Surrealism & shoes! Now a bit more of stuff like this & I'd have been a very happy V&A visitor:
I know, I know & what of Kylie & her cosy's?
Not bad - the dummies relay how tiny she is. I saw costumes from the show I saw at Wembley on New Years Eve & from videos, etc. Viewing costumes reminds one how different fashion/couture is from costume design - the finish is not aimed for close up inspection, for instance the hooded white jump suit from her video is all raw edges where it's split to the thigh, etc. & other costumes like the one she used to open her show at Wembley have a gawdy quality to the sparkle - great on stage, not great close up. This dress apparently took John Galliano's team 6 months to make - thank god it doesn't take me as long to make a dress otherwise I'd be struggling on two commissions a year! I have noticed that finish is one of the big differences between fashion trained designers & costume trained designers when it comes to wedding dresses too.
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28th June 2007~
How fabulous!
I had a Guestbook message from a very helpful American(?), I assume, who had this to say of my sister site www.crownsandtiaras.co.uk:
"I did not even view any of your product - too reluctant to purchase anything from a source selling "jewellry" fyi - there is only one l.
I would suggest you use spell check or have someone scholarly edit so you don't lose any sales.
Respectfully,
Sonya."
And my reply!:
"How fabulous of you to let me know Sonya but I actually spelt 'Jewellery' like this & in the UK this is the correct spelling (one l (ry) in the US, two l's (llery) in the UK) & let's not forget from whence the English language comes!!!!!!!
I am sorry my English spelling of an English word offended you to the point of exiting my site in scholarly disgust ;) "
down on spelling I more than make up for on ability where it is needed!This so tickled me this morning that I've quoted it to my Mum, a colleague & a client today. The one question asked, upon hearing this quoted at them, was why? Why, if you refuse to look at the products, take the time to leave a Guestbook message?
Personally I love the very indignant, arrogant & offensive tone of the message finished off with the word 'respectfully'. Really? Was it written with respect? Me thinks, "Yours, ignorantly" would have been a more appropriate way to go - though granted, not as funny! And the use of FYI from someone who uses the word 'scholarly' & is bitching about poor spelling - brilliant, inspired! You can bet anything if I'd used similar abbreviations I'd have been taken to task for those too. I also love, love(!), the suggestion that I have 'someone scholarly edit' implying I am too ill-educated to bring my site up to Sonya's high standards ;)
P.S. Do we think Sonya participated / participates in Spelling Bee's?
But on a serious note. Are British companies expected to adopt American spellings in order to get American business from the World Wide Web? Does it bug other Brits, as it does me, that when choosing an English language version of a European site, we are often invited to click on the Stars & Stripes as opposed to the Union Jack? And why do some Americans act like the world doesn't exist outside of the good ol' US of A? I'd ask if the world's gone crazy but then we all know that's a rhetorical question. Attidudes like this can start World Wars!
From Wikipedia: English is a West Germanic language originating in England, and the first language for most people in Australia, Canada, the Commonwealth Caribbean, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Wikipedia on American English - education for those who are interested & for Sonja who needs it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_English
P.P.S I am a terrible speller. 'M' gives these diary pages the once over occassionaly & I do try to remember to use the spell check but inevitably there will be the odd spelling error on the site & I ask my visitors to not judge me too harshly ;) Where I fall
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Improving your clevage the surgical route.
One of my clients went the surgical route recently in order to have 'bigger boobs for life rather than for just one day' (corset). She sent me this email & gave me permission, when I asked, to publish it in the diary:
Just to let you know that I am still alive after the Op which took place on 15th May. I have to admit I had no idea how painful it would be. I like to think that I have a fairly high pain threshold (2 kids - one natural, one caesarian), however, I cannot begin to describe how painful it was.
Here is what they dont tell you about the Op.
1. When you come round from the anaesthetic you feel pain immediately, despite the fact that you are likely to have had at least 2 morphine injections.
2. That you feel like 100 elephants have landed on your chest to the point that when you come round you cannot breathe properly and have to pant to breathe for the first couple of hours.
3. The pressure inside your chest makes you feel that if you move you will explode.
4. The only 'comfortable' position you have is to lie virtually upright. This puts immense pressure on your bum and bottom of your back. I now know how old people feel when left in a bed in the same position in our horrible NHS hospitals because no one can be bothered to turn them. I almost developed a pressure sore on my bum and not only had to sleep with 4 pillows behind my back to keep me upright but one under my bum.
5. To compensate for the pain when walking you walk hunched over (this will last for about 7 days), like an old woman.
6. When you wake up, not only do you have massive plasters over the bottom of the new boobs but also you are likely to have been taped up. This means surgical gaffer tape wrapped from the bottom to above your boobs in one continious loop. Some people get off on this type of thing - I do not and its horrible as combined with the above points you cannot move properly.
7. The painkillers they give you to take home (usually involve codeine) make you feel like part of your brain has been removed and give you really bad constipation. You wake up with bigger boobs but also a swollen pot belly so you look like you have swallowed a beachball.
8. It is impossible to wash your hair - unless you have assistance. My hair took on an completely new texture over the past 7 days - not that I really cared that much.
More info:
A
Glamour article:
I thought this was a very frank take on breast augmentation & worth sharing.
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29th June 2007~
Three Fat Brides One Thin Dress.
Even the title gives me the creeps. And what size constitutes a 'thin dress'? A UK 8 or 10? 12? 14? Sample size? Model size? The term 'thin' doesn't tend to mean 'healthy', it tends to mean underweight & undernourished.
Cambridge Dictionary definition: 'Thin' (NOT FAT), adjective thinner, thinnest
(of the body) with little flesh on the bones.
Unlike 'How to Look Good Naked' which is all about making women happy with who they are, getting them loving their shape & size whilst embracing drinking more water, eating better & hitting the gym, the whole thrust of this show is about humiliating three bride-to-be's at every opportunity. The show opened with them being taken to try sample sized dresses in a bridal shop - all fun & laughter until Gillian has this staged 'reveal' of all three brides from their respective dressing rooms, sample dresses wedged part way down their bodies, & then she says in a cutting voice: "How could you let yourselves get like this? It’s shocking". End of fun. Beginning of rather vile program.
Yes they all do loose weight - a good amount of it & in the winner's case 10" off her waist. But, wow, what an emotional roller coaster to get to that point, standing in front of the said 'thin' dress - all satin & shiny bead work - all unflattering 'A'line cut of it. The prize? Why not make it a good prize? Why not send them to a designer & treat them to a made to measure dress, a designer that would have made the most of their new shape & used the power of good design to flatter & enhance their figures even more.
Bride-to-be's are often a little emotionally unbalanced, leading to Bridezilla moments, crying, unreasonable reactions to insignificant things, etc. And who can blame them? Organising weddings is stressful, there is the family 'issues' to be dealt with, jealous/indifferent BM's/friends & the pressure they put themselves under to be slimmer, all of which leads to pressure on the couple's relationship. Add to this having all their comfort food off the menu in favor of diet food?
And what of the emotional well being of these three guinea pigs? Of the negative body images they will have had when they started the show, which did not seem to be touched on in any positive way & were instead fed upon in a taunting, cruel way to solicit results (death seemed to be a word that was banded around quite liberally). Will the weight stay off or will the joy of seeing the back of Gillian McKeith & leaving the stress of planning a wedding behind them, bring old habits & tastier food back into their lives together with those lost pounds?
Whilst 'How to Look Good Naked' seemed to be making the subjects of the show happier in their own skins & making long term changes to how these women see themselves & look after the bodies. 'Three Fat Brides One Thin Dress' seemed to be about sending out a message that your worth is directly apportioned to your size & big is not beautiful, big is disgusting, is shocking & something women should feel very ashamed about.
I can see that for some this show will motivate them to embrace Gillian's 8 week diet & shed the pounds. And in some cases the results will have bridal designers & dressmakers pulling their hair out at their incredible shrinking brides for whom fittings will be another opportunity to celebrate their weight loss, whilst creating nightmare fittings for the women (& occasional man) that have to alter the dress, yet again! For others the show will be a depressing reminder of how they think the world sees 'fat' them & lead to comfort, binge eating.
To say I disapproved of this program, of this title, is an understatement.
And I am not alone, here's some quotes from other human persons on internet forums & in the media:
"Can't believe that the vulneralability of these pre-wedding women is being fed upon by the race to lose weight to fit in to a wedding dress! What message is this sending to our teenagers and young women? Start being responsible and giving info about how to eat healthily and happily in a climate when fast food and vast amounts of choice is available every day. This is truly sickening and sad. If the husbands to be really love their women why are these women so obsessed with trying to fit in to a tiny wedding dress for a prize? This is irresponsible and feeding in to a current trend for thin, thin, thin. Please don't bother to say that the dress is not a size zero, it might as well be - it feeds straight in to the same sort of mentality."
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"In this latest spin-off of Gillian McKeith’s You Are What You Eat, the mung-bean advocate’s mission is to bully three overweight brides-to-be into shape for their big day. Butter-loving Jacqueline, binge-drinking Katrina and takeaway addict Lisa are all competing against one another to lose enough weight to fit into one gorgeous designer wedding dress.
As if organising a wedding wasn’t stressful enough! Are these brides-to-be quite mad? Watching Gillian McKeith patronising perfectly nice, if slightly tubby, adults with comments like “How did you get like this? It’s shocking” then forcing them to eat quinoa and tofu always makes me want to rush out and scoff a large kebab with chips right that minute. And I’ve been a dedicated healthy-eating and exercise fan throughout my adult life.
Of course, her bullying and ridiculously strict diet plans do get results – well, that will happen if you swap burgers and chips for salads and utterly joyless dairy, wheat (and taste)-free dinners. It’s not rocket science. But do her hapless victims sustain their weight loss once the cameras have packed up and gone home and there’s no sign of a small Scottish woman screaming admonishments in their ear every time they open a packet of crisps? Call me cynical, but I doubt it."
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"First things first. Where do reality TV shows keep finding these people? Who on the planet still doesn’t know that drinking half a vineyard’s worth of wine a night (Katrina), keeping every local takeaway in business (Lisa) or dessert-spooning butter down your throat (Jacqueline), might possibly damage your health? They’re obviously growing these people somewhere.
That said, Gillian McKeith is absolutely evil. Not just “not nice”, or a “bit nasty”. No. Actually evil. Here she is after Jackie explains how she loves butter. “And do you love it on your death certificate, Jackie?” What is she supposed to say to that? Yes?"Stuart McGurk, The London Paper.
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"There is something dark at the heart of this type of television. maybe it ought to carry a health warning; "This programme contains scenes emotional bullying and body facism".
Why do we still tolerate Gillian McKeith? She's a fraud; She's been demonstrated to be a fraud and yet she's still there. Can she not just be removed from television and sent to some small island away from real people, where she can bully the lower mammals about their body hair?
She takes normal, ordinary people and makes them less happy and more scared. And to what end? "If you drink enough smoothies, you can be as depressing as me". NO."
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"re: 3 fat brides...I had to turn the tv off as i was quite distressed by gillian's tone and scaremongering approach. Bring back Gock from how to look good naked, he has the right idea!"
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Interesting articles: Gillian McKeith / Three Fat Brides One Thin Dress:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/food/Story/0,,2011095,00.html
http://www.lowculture.co.uk/labels/Gillian%20McKeith.shtml
Now this one is cutting ;)
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/latest/display.var.1497731.0.aisle_diet.php
Quote:
So, with so many options, why do fat women still go on Gillian McKeith's shows?
Fat woman: "I want to lose weight."
Husband: "You could, you know, move more and eat less."
Fat woman: "No way. I fancy being humiliated on national television instead."
And so, three fat women appear, like cows to the slaughter, on Three Fat Brides, One Thin Dress. The women have eight weeks to lose weight and fit in the wedding dress of their dreams. Unfortunately, two of them would need eight months, at least, to get trim.
The other would need eight years.
And this one is amusing:
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/tv/2007/06/the_isle_of_wight_is.html
"Well, honestly, who could resist tuning in to a programme called 3 Fat Brides, 1 Thin Dress (Channel 4)? I sat back and prepared to enjoy whatever bridezilla-based fun was about to unfold. But wait - what was this? A figure crouching at the corner of the screen ... a flash of golden hair and gimlet eye ... it could not be ... no one had warned me ... But it was. 3 Fat Brides, 1 Thin Dress is the latest spawn of the Gillian McKeith franchise, and there she stood, like a platinum-blond incubus, waiting to suck the joy from every living thing around her." Lucy Mangan.
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back to me...............
I have clients who diet & hit the gym & I think most women's goal is to look slimmer on their big day or appear slimmer. Of course if clients can loose a few pounds towards a slimmer, healthier figure that helps me, as can control knickers/tights to keep wayward tummies under control & thighs svelte. But flattering cuts, corsetry & colour can help too. Someone like myself can reshape figures & confidence & send brides out on their wedding days feeling on top of the world & none of it done by shouting, humiliation & shock tactics!
This site is, as the program was (it recently finished), great. Loads of tips & oozing positive body image.
How Channel4 could have spawned two such different shows!
All our figures can be instantly enhanced by wearing the correct sized bras & for bigger girls, bras that support.
Rigby & Peller sell a range of bras from Prima Donna designed for bigger busts that I personally would recommend, especially as they have kept them pretty as well as providing great support.
For instant fixes that pull in our wobbly bits, explore Figleaves.com for these brands, who sell shapewear:
Miraclesuit Shapewear
Spanx
The Body Wrap
From Debenams: Shapewear Flexees
From Tightsplease: Support hoisery from various brands.
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Bridal Chalet.
The problem:
The update:
One of my brides-to-be did a little bit of sleuthing by way of enquiring with Bridalchalet about my dress as advertised on their site:
She wrote:
Thank you! I have been looking everywhere for a wedding dress with a difference and you have it!!Please could you email me details of this gown's cost, how long it takes to make, other colour choices etc.Please reply as soon as possible as I need to 'get moving' as my wedding is in just a couple of months time.I had just one more question, what happens if the gown is not a good fit when it arrives?Would you refund me or send a replacement?Many thanks ******* |
Courtney who works for a company called Rogers.com working on behalf of Bridal Chalet wrote:
Hi ******. thank you for your email and your wonderful comment This is one of my favorite gowns! especially in the red! From the time you order the gown takes about 16-20 weeks to be made and sent to you. Our standard colors are white and ivory and red, was there another color you were thinking of? As to your question about fit...it should be fine when you recieve it because our gowns are made to fit your measurments. You can find our refund policy on the website under policies but if it is easier I can send it to you, just let me know As per your request the gown you selected is made of crushed silk velvet, the beadwork is done overtop of twining leaves that are embroidered on the sleeves and upper bodice. We only use high quality fabrics and all our embroidery and beading is hand done. The cost cost of this gown is $2699.00.. While we do have a size chart and we also request measurements be obtained from a local seamstress this way your gown can be tweaked to your body size. We are pleased to offer all brides our unique payment plan designed to spread out payments on your wedding gown. If you have any other questions please feel free to email me. Kind Regards Courtney www.bridalchalet.com |
My client, digs further......
Sorry I forgot to mention in my earlier reply, the colour that I wouldreally be intersted in if it's possible is a dark emerald green in thevelvet. Would this work? Your thoughts would be much appreciated.Many thanks ******* |
And WOW! Forget making sure Brides know these are designer inspired dresses / AKA copies.Here is Bridalchalet's representative giving the credit for my design 'Damsel' to Bridalchalet's "designer".The only inspiration they had was to be inspired to steal the image off of my site!
Hi ****** I will have to ask the designer what her inspiration was...but it is a beautiful gown that I think would look amazing in emerald green, I thought it was beautiful just in the red but I really!! like you idea. I will talk to the designer about it to and let you know what she thinks Take your time, I will talk to you soon, and if there is anything else you need feel free to email me, I am in the office all the time Talk to you soon! have a nice day Kitty Courtney www.bridalchalet.com |
These emails were forwarded to me by ****** with the subject: "I got a reply... How long are you out of town?"Huh?But all becomes clear:
Dear CourtneyI am so sorry to have to do this to you but i've been chatting with my1. How 'fitted' is the gown? does it have a built in corset or should i |
Also after the "I am in the office all the time" quote giving off the impression this is the office of Bridalchalet. Only now is it made clear that Bridalchalet is a different company to the one Coutney works for:
Hi ************, I know how you feel alot of people are very nervous about buying a gown online but I can assure you that it is fine I had my brides maid gown for a friends wedding made from this site as well the bride got both her gowns from this company(she could not decide which one she wanted so got two :) ) and all of them were beautiful...although alot of people told us we were crazy but honestly the gowns came out wonderfully. And I have answered your questions below...the numbers correspond with yours 1) The gown is made to your measurements...and it is a corset top you do not need to go and get one, although when you take your measurements make sure you are not taking your breast area with a bra on because this gown is a corset top and can have cups/some padding added in(that it what we did with the last gown) 2) No no the gown does not need any layering under it, it is already full 3) I am not sure if I have any close ups, the designer is out of town for a few days and she keeps all the photos, but next time I speak with her I will as her 4) I am so sad to hear this the gown would be so beautiful in green and in Ireland(where my family is) we have alot of our gowns in green. But I know I do not have a picture of it in white or ivory we asked the last bride to send photos of her wedding because she had it made in ivory and gold(absolutely beautiful) but she just had her wedding so I do not know if she will send them, but as of now I do not have any I am sorry. I hope this helped **********, and I hope to hear from you soon Courtney www.bridalchalet.com |
And no I wasn't "out of town" & no one contacted me to ask what my inspiration was behind Damsel.
What we do know is that they have sold at least one of my dresses. That their representatives are perpetuating the myth that Bridalchalet created & owns the copyright on my design & that there's no way from the measurements they request that a copy will fit or look like my gown.
Their measurement chart does not even request a bra measurement! Infact they are very emphatic they do not want a bra measurement! Bra sizes 32D, 34C 36B could all come up with around the same measurement around the bust & yet the back size to bust ratio would require differently cut corsets. Also Bridalchalet have no idea from these emails what size client 'X' is or if padding is even necessary & if cups are being put in, don't they need to know cup size? Anyway cups? Padding? Are they even making the right shape corset or making a natural shaped bodice smaller & using a smaller cut & padding to boost the bust? A recipe for disaster & of course they make to the bride's measurements, which she is responsible for taking & they aren't going to refund if it doesn't fit!
Quote:
"All sales are final and cannot be cancelled at the point of purchase. Due to the special nature of our merchandise, we do not accommodate exchanges or refunds under any circumstances. In addition, our vendors are unable to cancel or make any changes or modifications to any order once it has been placed. Please be sure of the style, size, color, and any other specifications before submitting your order.
We process orders immediately and for this reason, orders may only be cancelled within 4 hours of placing your order.
We pride ourselves in delivering high quality products and excellent customer service. However, occasionally there might be a manufacturer’s defect in a dress or it might be damaged during shipping, if this is the situation your gown will be replaced. The replacement gown will be made exactly to your original specifications. No modifications will be made to the merchandise.
If there is a problem with your gown you must contact us within 48 hrs of receiving your gown. We will provide you with a return authorization number if a return is warranted. Your return box must have this return authorization number on the outside or it will not be accepted by us.
All sales are final. This final sale policy is consistent with the industry standard for bridal and special occasion apparel. Each gown is hand made for every client and as such cannot be resold."
" You will be responsible for the measurements you provide us as these will be used to manufacture your gown. Since The Bridal Chalet is not present when you take your measurements we cannot assume responsibility for errors in measurements you provide us with."
Another kind soul has also played detective:
Gail Young is also Gail Lerch & has a business partner Richard Jung (http://www.palominosys.com/news/bridal.html). I also have an address in Michigan.
We also know: "maternity bridal designer Gail Lerch," is the "owner of Toronto-based Sara Houston Inc." So back to Canada? The who.is for Sara Houston's website however has been made private, presumably to hide the address & phone number leads.
Any more? If you have any more information, please let me know.
And thank you in advance.
This quote was sent to me, via a private message on my guestbook, which I whole heartedly agree with:
In The Red Shoes, a very talented young student composer is outraged and spluttering to find his own music
being plagiarised. Boris Lermontov says to him: "it is much more disheartening to have to steal than to be stolen from!
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17th July 2007~
An all together different Guestbook entry & one that made me smile:
(appart from the timeline reference which only serves to remind me that time marches on!)
"Dear Ms.Mallett,
I'd just like to say that I absolutely love your website, and your designs, and your diaries. I found this site when I was in high school, and having recently graduated from college, I'm still trying to figure out how I can someday have a dress designed by you. The useless English degree I possess now has rather drained the funds, and I'm pretty sure that being able to analyze the hell out of Dracula or Jane Eyre or Shakespeare is not going to provide me with my fortune right out of the door. But that's okay. At the moment, I wouldn't have anywhere to wear the dress. :D
I'd also like to apologize for my fellow countrymen who seem to hazard your website. I must admit that we Americans, in general, are idiots, myself included. Don't they realize that British spellings are so much better? Well, I think so. Continue to lampoon us. We need it. Remind us that the UK claims many many more noteworthy users of the English language than the US. You've got Harry Potter, SherlockHolmes, Shakespeare, and Jane Austen. We have MarkTwain and Ernest Hemingway and Dan. "
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And for this diary entry, it's all about other contributers to my diary:
Kirsten's Diary - the Wedding, Take Two.
Kirsten is one of my 2007 clients. She lives in London & for her 10th Anniversary is having a Renewal of Vows ceremony in a Scotish castle - her Wedding, Take Two.
She's an excellent person to keep this diary because she's not worried about keeping the whole thing under wraps & this time, the lady knows what she wants - I am really pleased she wants to contribute to this section of the site & am looking forward to reading her future entries.
17th July 2007 ~
Well June started with lots of problems and a dress disappointment! Not Chantal’s I hasten to add, but a dress I had ordered for the 40th birthday that is being held two days before our renewal of vows. What a disaster!!! I went to a shop that sells t
