tinaa_innovations

I'm Back! SUPER MEGA SALE

2018-10-04T19:44:00.001-07:00

Wow!
I can't believe my last post was 3 years ago.
What better way than to celebrate that with a SUPER MEGA SALE

UP TO 70% SALE

2015-11-08T19:42:00.000-08:00

Take advantage of the super savings.

Wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, evening wear

Jewellery; necklaces, earrings, bracelets, brooches.

Hair accessories: hair pins, tiaras, silk flowers, pins, veils, more

Shawls, fur wraps, bags

WHAT BODY SHAPE ARE YOU

2013-07-29T21:46:00.001-07:00

So what is your body shape? More importantly, which dress style suits your body shape?

A bit confusing sometimes. There are basic rules to follow but some rules are meant to be broken. How? A good designer will know exactly how to make certain features which normally are a no-no for your figure type, work. This is not to say that some features and shapes should be avoided at all costs.

So many names for what is really a few basic body shapes. Banana? Apple? Pear?
Yes some very interesting names. Add to these my categories of 'top heavy', 'coathanger', and it may seem more complicated.

An expert can simplify this and give you an accurate assessment.
It is a great idea to have your figure analysed to see what wedding dress style would best enhance your body shape and make you a stunning bride.
I offer a figure analysis at Tinaa innovations. This is a popular service and we are being booked up fast.

I suggest that if you would like to make an informed decision when choosing your wedding dress this is the way to go. Have our designer provide you with the correct analysis of the appropriate dress style for you. Other factors came into it, like face shape and height etc and it does take a qualified experience technician to interpret it all.

All you have to do is make an appointment. Allow 1 hour for the session. Please note that we have limited sessions left so act fast. There is no obligation to buy from Tinaa Innovations. For your fee, you will receive a complete analysis, and results will be provided in a booklet, including pictures and diagrams, for you to keep.

Fee applies of $150
To book an appointment please call 0405 909 077 or email: infoteresaS@yahoo.com.au

Fascinator line

2013-04-13T23:38:00.002-07:00

I have decided to design some original headpieces. No two pieces are the same. I am introducing new pieces every week. Come in and view our range. For wholesale inquiries please contact us at: bridal@tinaainnovations.com.au

Ivory silk organza flower with diamantes fascinator

This is a silk organza /diamante fascinator.
Col: Ivory
Size of flower: 15cms
Comb attachment
Price $110

To purchase online please pay through Paypal by clicking on the button below.
If you would like to purchase over the phone please call us on 0405 909 077 or
send us an email for further details at: infoteresaS@yahoo.com.au

Congrats Bilynda

2013-04-13T22:49:00.001-07:00

I so love, love, love to receive photos from my brides and see how beautiful and happy they are on their wedding day.
Bridal gown and headpiece from Tinaa Innovations

DRESS OF THE WEEK

2013-04-05T22:42:00.000-07:00

I must say, I sell quite a few of this style. Mainly because they suit most figure types. There are 8 colours available in sizes from 6 to 25. This dress also has detachable adjustable spaghetti straps and a shawl. Normally retails at $330 but for a week only its half price at $165.

Colours available: Ivory, Dusty Pink, Yellow, Hot Pink, Black, Purple, Pale blue, Peach. Refer to the colour sample above to the right of picture.

To take advantage of this offer, click on the Paypal button, enter your quantity, size and colour.
Please make sure you provide us with the correct postal address. If you want it couriered please provide a street address.

Postage is: $8 for 1 dress by post.
: $15 for 2 -3 dresses by post
: $20 for 4 -5 dresses by post
: $25 for 6 dresses by post
: $55 for 7 dresses and over
If in Sydney metro we will courier out your order for $15 no matter how large.

UPDATE 14/4/2013
The Paypal button for this item has been removed as the sale is now over for this item.
If you want further details about this product please conduct us at
infoteresaS@yahoo.com.au

DRESS OF THE WEEK

2013-03-26T20:53:00.000-07:00

I am going to start a 'DRESS OF THE WEEK' post.
Every week I will feature one of my best sellers and offer to you, my loyal customers a chance to buy it at half price.

This dress, TI - 056, normally sells at $375 but you are getting a chance to buy it for $187.50

Style: TI - 056
Sizes available: 8; 14.
Colour: Orange (refer to top right hand corner of pic) Actual dress colour less red. Size 8 and 14 available
Colour: Mint (as per dress on model) Size 14 only

Size 8 - fits bust 84cms to 87cms
Size 14 - fits bust 96cms to 99cms

Just click on the 'Buy Now' button and you can complete your transaction through Paypal. Paypal offers security and peace of mind.

Select from the scroll down menu the colour and size, then click on 'BUY NOW'

UPDATE 11/4/2013
I have removed the Paypal button as the sale has now finished for this item

For inquiries on this item please contact us on infoteresaS@yahoo.com.au

A CLASSIC WITH A TWIST

2013-02-14T20:09:00.001-08:00

Don't be afraid to experiment. This is a halter dress with a twist. With a little draping, you have completely changed a basic cut.
The best part is that it evokes so many different emotions in the one style.
Sexy, romantic, elegant, goddess

Introducing our Marella style

SEXY BACK

2013-02-10T02:35:00.000-08:00

Is this not the most amazing back on a wedding dress!

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR ASSETS

2013-02-04T19:11:00.000-08:00

Nobody is perfect. Believe it or not models complain about their body shapes too. I personally don’t care that I don’t have a perfect body but try to dress to minimise what isn’t perfect and divert attention to my best feature.

When buying a wedding dress, buy to enhance and minimise. That is, show off your best assets and conceal the not so best.

The bride pictured ‘Lisa’, has a voluptuous figure. Ok some may say she has a bit of a stomach and hips. Well, that is all I can see with the wedding dress she is trying on. I can’t see anything else. My eyes are drawn to the stomach and hips because of the cut of the edge of the bodice. It is almost like an underlining line saying; ‘look at me, look at me’

It highlights and magnifies what might be a slight imperfection. This figure type should avoid features around the problem areas.

The wide hem doesn’t help as it makes ‘Lisa’ look bigger than she actually is.

Now have a look at ‘Lisa’ in a more appropriate style. What a difference a style makes. The dress has no cut off line around her stomach and hips and automatically she looks slimmer and taller. The narrower hem has the effect of elongating the figure and draws the attention towards the other features. In this case, it’s the narrowed waist and the gorgeous full bust we couldn’t see before because we were too busy looking at her stomach and hips.

As our eye is directed in a vertical direction we notice the most important feature of all, her beautiful smiling face.

Choose wisely. If you need guidance, you will see on the right of this blog site a ‘PAY NOW’ button. This enables you to purchase a figure analysis of your body shape. Under this button, you will see an explanation of this service and what you need to send in. This is a no obligation service. It enables you to be armed with the correct information about what is best for you without pushy salespersons’ pressuring you to make a sale.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE PHOTOS POSTED HERE WERE TAKEN BY ME AND I HAVE ‘LISA’S PERMISSION TO POST THEM. I WILL NEVER POST PHOTOS ON THIS BLOG WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION. ALL PHOTOS SENT TO ME WILL BE RETURNED AND WON’T BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE OTHER THAN THAT OF PROVIDING YOU WITH YOUR PERSONAL FIGURE ANALYSIS OR FOR ANY OTHER AGREED PURPOSE

ALTERATION SERVICE BY POPULAR DEMAND

2013-01-20T23:30:00.000-08:00

We are constantly asked to provide an alteration service. Good news!
We have found an extremely experienced technician who will offer such a service.
It is all explained here: https://www.facebook.com/specialisedalterations/
It is very important, when it comes to a wedding dress that the person doing the alterations is someone aho can handle the delicate fabrics used such as lace and silk.
To make an appointment please click on the link and use the contact form.
You can also call 0405 909 077

COUTURE OR 'READY-to-WEAR'?

2012-11-16T18:36:00.000-08:00

As a bride, you will need to make a decision as to which service suits you the best; Couture or Ready-to-Wear'? Apart from the price point, ‘ready-to-wear’ or ‘of the rack’ is convenient for brides who don’t have the time to go through the fitting process and want to instantly see how the final dress looks like on their figure. This is suitable for those that are prepared to have alterations done on an existing garment they buy or have figures that fit into standard sizes.

But what about the figure shape that is not what we call, ‘standard’ or ‘stock’ size. This bride has no choice but to have it made. Where this becomes a true necessity is when your bust size well exceeds the ‘D’ cup. I am not aware of any bridal range or label that caters for a ‘DD’ cup size and over.

A cup size alteration cannot be performed from side seams or back opening. As a patternmaker, I can assure you that the cup size needs to be inbuilt at pattern construction stage, before the dress is cut. At this time, the pattern pieces are drafted to cater for the extra fabric needed for the fullness of the bust, i.e. the curves and depth of the bust.

A qualified technician, will draft patterns and then produce a toile to fit you first to get the distribution of width, depth and bust lift just right.

A bride with anything over a ‘D’ cup will have difficulty finding an ‘off the rack’ to fit her perfectly. The picture above is of a ‘off the rack’ gown with probably a ‘C’ cup allowance worn by a ‘F’ to ‘G’ cup bride. Notice there is not enough fabric to cover her round cup.

I wonder why this was allowed to happen. Did the bride try on the dress in her size before she bought it? Most bridal stores don’t carry every size gown in every style. So, did the sales assistant assure her that when the dress would arrive in the bride’s size that the bust will fit ‘right’? Did she buy it on the internet?

Maybe the bride wanted this look?

CONGRATULATIONS GEORGINA

2012-09-08T02:14:00.000-07:00

To create a mood for the wedding a bride may rely on decorations and special features for the day. It goes without saying that the dress starts off any theme and the rest follow. Some brides go to a lot of trouble and pay special attention to detail from the cars chosen to the actual reception location and props.
Georgina has made sure that the style of photography also reflected the mood and feel of her wedding.
Beautiful; and I wish you both the best. To view the photos, please click on the link
http://www.southcoastphotographer.com.au/georgina-thomas-silos-estate-winery-wedding/

CONGRATS LAUREN

2012-07-26T22:18:00.001-07:00

Photos by Tara Lee Photography.

Lauren chose a Cocktail length gown made of hand painted silk organza. The light ivory base colour was a perfect choice for Lauren's skin tone. Layers of tulle gave the skirt the right amount of fullness and structure.
The dress was finished off nicely with a silver and light ivory sead bead trim around the neckline and waist.

JANE CONGRATULATIONS

2011-08-19T22:34:00.001-07:00

"I've been meaning to email you to say thankyou for making such a beautiful wedding dress (it got lots of compliments from a lot of people!)".

Thank you for your kind words Jane. You look absolutely beautiful and radiant. Wish you the best.

CONGRATULATIONS SAL

2011-08-07T20:42:00.000-07:00

"Thank you again for making such a beautiful dress for my wedding. Everyone loved it including me."

I wish you the best Sal. Absolutely stunning

CONGRATULATIONS JENNA

2011-08-07T20:30:00.000-07:00

"Hi Kathy,
I just wanted to say thank you so so much for designing my AMAZING wedding dress."

Jenna, thank you for your kind words. Ab Fab!

SIMONE 19th MARCH 2011

2011-05-22T02:09:00.000-07:00

Simone, I thank you warmly for the email you sent me. May I add what a beautiful bride you were and what a handsome couple you make

Hi Cathy
Thought I'd send you some photos of your dress in action. It poured here in the mountains on our wedding day but thankfully held off for the ceremony and as I mentioned to you I ended up getting gumboots which were on all night. That's my tip to a bride facing rain. Get gumboots with thick socks... my feet were so comfy and warm all night.

All the photos are at our property and even my flowers were all picked from our place.

I got so much feedback about the dress. Nick (The Groom) thought it was stunning, a little different and perfect for me... exactly what I thought and why I chose it.
Your boutique really stood out to me; for someone that didn't know what style they wanted only what they didn't want the range of styles you have designed were a relief. I found most other stores I walked into full of dresses that all looked the same.

Thank you for existing in the world of bridal fashion… I will suggest Tinna Innovations to anyone looking for a special outfit.

Regards,

Simone

PRINCE WILLIAM and KATHERINE MIDDLETON

2011-05-01T01:41:00.000-07:00

On the 29th of April 2011, Kate (as no doubt she will be known) Middleton married her Prince.

A fairytale for many and a love story for the romantic at heart.

I tuned in as many did, but my main interest was the wedding dress.

The dress was exactly what I imagined for Kate. The only feature I had added in my mind's sketch leading up to the wedding was a tiny bit of sparkle possibly in the form of a brooch.

A very wise choice by Kate, as this dress won't date in photographs. It is a classic. A timeless design to be looked at similarly as is Princess Grace's wedding dress. As a matter of fact, just 2 days ago, a bride walked in with a picture of Princess Grace's wedding dress and asked me to make her the same dress using a lace that I had imported from France.

Kate Middleton stepped out of the car at Westminster Abbey looking nothing less than spectacular. Her dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, as a few keen eyed commentators had already predicted.

The details of her ensemble have now been released:

The design
The lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. The lace design was hand-engineered (appliquéd) using the Carrickmacross lace-making technique, which originated in Ireland in the 1820s. Individual flowers have been hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create a unique and organic design, which incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock. Hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly lace has been used throughout the bodice and skirt, and has been used for the underskirt trim. With laces coming from different sources, much care was taken to ensure that each flower was the same colour. The whole process was overseen and put together by hand by Ms Burton and her team.

The dress is made with ivory and white satin gazar. The skirt echoes an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats. The train measures two metres 70 centimetres. The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s designs. The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops. The underskirt is made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace.

The Fabrics
French Chantilly lace was combined with English Cluny lace to be hand-worked in the Irish Carrickmacross needlework tradition. All other fabrics used in the creation of the dress were sourced from and supplied by British companies. The choice of fabrics followed extensive research by Sarah Burton and her team.

Veil and Jewellery
The veil is made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, which was embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. The veil is held in place by a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, lent to Miss Middleton by The Queen. The ‘halo’ tiara was made by Cartier in 1936 and was purchased by the Duke of York (later King George VI) for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King. The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now the Queen) by her mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday.

The bride’s earrings, by Robinson Pelham, are diamond-set stylised oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pavé set diamond acorn suspended in the centre. Inspiration for the design comes from the Middleton family’s new coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves. The earrings were made to echo the tiara and were a personal gift to the bride from her parents for her wedding day.

Wedding Shoes
The wedding shoes have made hand-made by the team at Alexander McQueen and are made of ivory duchesse satin with lace hand-embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework.

The Bride’s Bouquet
The bouquet is a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. The bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and draws on the traditions of flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers.
The flowers’ meanings in the bouquet are:
Lily-of-the-valley – Return of happiness
Sweet William – Gallantry
Hyacinth – Constancy of love
Ivy – Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection
Myrtle – the emblem of marriage; love.

The bouquet contains stems from a myrtle planted at Osborne House, Isle of Wight, by Queen Victoria in 1845, and a sprig from a plant grown from the myrtle used in the Queen’s wedding bouquet of 1947. The myrtle was first carried by Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Princess Victoria, when she married in 1858, and was used to signify the traditional innocence of a bride.

MY VERY OWN CROCODILE HUNTER

2011-01-15T23:33:00.001-08:00

I thoroughly enjoy my job. Not only do I get to create and participate in a small way in my brides happy event of their wedding but I get to meet the most interesting ladies.

Just recently I had the pleasure of working with Jemeema, in creating her wedding gown.

'I live in Darwin' Jemeema starts, so is it possible to make me a gown considering that I cant fly down often for fittings?' 'Sure', I answer 'I have made for long distance brides before and with some planning it is definately possible.

Darwin! Interesting. 'What do you do Jemeema?'

'I work on a Crocodile farm and research centre.' Had to know more.

'We work mainly with Saltwater Crocodiles from incubating eggs and hatching baby crocodiles, to catching and moving 4-5 m breeding crocodiles.

Jemeema booked her gown with me on a Saturday and had her first fitting on the Monday just before she caught her plane back to her beloved crocodiles.

We organised her fittings to coincide with her visit down to Sydney to organise her wedding. We sqeezed in at least 2 fittings during her 3 day stay.

Of course at every fitting I had to know more. Not every day you meet your very own crocodile hunter. As it turns out Jemeema works with her fiancee, now husband

'Matt and I spent 3 years living and working in the USA in South Florida doing research and working with the American crocodile, American Alligator and Burmese Python.' Wow.

What a romantic love story also, Jemeema and Matt went to high school together, were friends, starting dating by the end of year 12 and have been together
ever since.

The final fitting was made the week prior to the wedding when Jemeema flew down.
Not only did Jemeema work a fair distance away but she also was having the wedding in the Kangaroo valley. This meant that Jemeema had to hang around Sydney while the gown was being completed.

Everything worked out beautifully and according to Jemeema, 'an awesome time was had dancing the night away.'

Images have been kindly supplied by: Bianca Dopson Photography http://www.biancadopson.com.au/

2010-08-27T19:03:00.001-07:00

BRIDE JULIA RECOMMENDS

2010-05-21T20:40:00.000-07:00

Julia was eager to pass on this site she discovered. As time is limited online shopping is a godsent.

Julia told me she had fun shopping for her man. Apparently they don't sell just ties and cuffs. They also have other fun goodies. My favourite is the 'budgie smuggler' underpant.

Use the picture above to redirect you for your convenience

MY BEAUTIFUL BRIDES

2010-02-26T23:13:00.000-08:00

Wow! We are nearly at the end of the second month of the year.
I have been so busy!
The best bridal season so far!

I am now seeing prospective brides who are looking for gowns for their end of year weddings.

I would like to thank the beautiful brides who have sent me photos of their weddings along with some kind messages.
Also for the texts and emails. It means a great deal that you have taken the time to do so.

I would like to say what a pleasure it has been to create and make for you.
Some of which I include here.

I want you to know how much I appreciate it.
So to Lisa M, Suzan, Leslie, Gabrielle S, Sam R, Nadia C, Sylwia K, Maria B, Laura S, Helen McM, Melanie A, Tass H, Tina N, Dee C,(there are so many I can't name you all), many, many thanks.

Hi Kathy,
Thank you so much once again for such an amazing job you did on Anna's dress.
You were most remembered on her special Day. You will be highly recommended!

Will forward more photos to you.
:)
Anna's Matron of Honour....Leslie

Hi Cathy,
I hope you are well and had a great Christmas/New Year?

I just wanted to touch base with you now I am back in the country, to send you some of my wedding photos - as promised! The dress was just amazing and everyone thought it was just stunning - so thank you again!
Gabrielle S

Hi Cathy
I will never forget you =) Ive been telling lots of people to come & see you for wedding dresses

Im going to put my wedding in a magazine one day once I get the CD & will put your details in it as well =P

I noticed you have Rebecca on your website she looks amazing & yes you can put lots of pics of my wedding on there as well

Thankyou again soo much you’re the best !!

Regards
Suzan

Hi Cathy,
I just wanted to drop an email to say a HUGE thank you for the wonderful job you did with my dress and the service you provide is impeccable. It was a pleasure to work with you and to have such piece of mind that the dress was going to be just perfect for me was priceless.

I am having it dry cleaned through your recommendation as we speak.

Thanks again and I look forward to being able to recommend you to family and friends in the future.

Kind regards

Sam

Thanks Cathy!! The dress was the star thanks to you x
Helen McM.

Dearest Cathy,

I would to take this opportunity to thank you for all your time, hardwork, patience and expertise that you have dedicated to my wedding dress.

The whole process has been one that I have enjoyed.

Thank you for everything

With love

Maria

Congratulations to Maria B's bridesmaid Monica M who got engaged over Xmas!

I know this because she has booked her gown with me for her January 2011 wedding and Maria is to be her bridesmaid. Roles reversed.

I so love my job! With all this joy around me, how can I not!

Cathyxx

HAUTE COUTURE - A life style for some

2009-10-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

I came across this article and found it interesting what our fashion sisters in the northern hemisphere, with a bit of money, are prepared to pay for a high end garment.

The Cult Of Couture
by Lauren Sherman from Forbes.Com
Haute couture. The French phrase, which literally means "high sewing", is tossed around casually these days, into fashion magazine headlines and onto the labels of irreverent knitwear brands.

But in fashion speak, haute couture is something very specific: A garment that is completely custom-made, from impeccable lining to hand-stitched hem. Not only is the dress bespoke, the fabrics and embellishments are of the highest quality, and the tailors, seamstresses, embroiderers, lace makers and other craftspeople who spend hundreds of hours assembling these pieces are the most skilled in the world.

"The insides are as magnificent as the outside", says George Simonton, fashion designer and professor at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology.

Couture is also a serious investment - like a work of art that is displayed on the body rather than a wall. Customers will pay anywhere from $25,000 upward for a couture gown; in extreme cases, the costs can reach into the millions. The Scott Henshall diamond-encrusted dress worn by Samantha Mumba to the 2004 premiere of Spiderman II was priced at approximately $9 million.

To the untrained eye, there's little difference between a $3,500 Derek Lam frock bought off the rack at Bergdorf Goodman and a $150,000 Christian Lacroix evening gown. At society fetes such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual Costume Institute Gala, you'll see wealthy women flaunting both styles. But, when a socialite wears couture it means she's really serious about fashion - and she has pockets deep enough to indulge her passion.

Houston socialite and couture collector Becca Cason Thrash has developed a reputation as a fashion connoisseur. Cason Thrash is considered a minor collector - she owns roughly a dozen pieces, which she has worn time and again. "You amortize couture", she says. "You buy a piece and you wear it in Houston, then you wear it again in New York, then London, then Paris...you put it away for a couple of years and when you pull it out, it looks all brand new again".

Cason Thrash stresses that the couture social circle is not an easy one to access. When she began collecting six or seven years back, she was lucky enough to be guided by Suzanne Saperstein, the woman Vanity Fair once called "probably the world's No. 1 consumer of haute couture".

"Couture is almost like a private club", says Cason Thrash, who favors American designer Ralph Rucci, as well as Europeans Christian Lacroix, Christian Dior and Jean-Paul Gaultier. With Saperstein in her corner, she was introduced to the right people. "Even though they need the business, it's not easy at first to get your invitations or to get to know the directresses of the houses. But once you navigate your way through that rocky beginning, every show is a lovely reunion with like-minded individuals".

Cason Thrash loves couture because it's "the pinnacle of fashion. You see the collective, creative juices in their finest moment going down the runway in Paris every January and July", when the haute couture shows are held. "For the girl who really, really does love fashion, it's the most exhilarating experience in the whole wide world", she says.

Versace Atelier, a couture brand that caters not only to the rich but to a host of glamorous celebrities (the house made the nude goddess gown Uma Thurman wore to this year's Oscars, as well as Jessica Alba's soft gold shirred bodice and lace skirt), decided in 2004 to leave the Paris shows and focus solely on personal appointments with clients.

When privileged customers are invited to the Versace's Fifth Avenue flagship, they are escorted to the sixth floor salon, a space graced by marble floors, walls of pale gray Venetian plaster, a glass elevator and an elegant roof terrace, all of which complement the opulence of the collection. This is a very different Versace than the brash yellows and reds of the brand's late 80s and early 90s aesthetic; the requisite Italian flash has been tempered with black leather sofas and high ceilings. It's more twinkle than glare.

Clients who place orders must understand that it may take up to four months to construct a dress. Take one in particular, a 1920s-inspired gown made of dove grey chiffon. Decorated with delicate metal decals and a beaded fringe, it carries more than 50,000 Swarovski crystal beads, and took more than 150 man hours to assemble. It's priced accordingly, at around $90,000.

(Versace, like most couture houses, is reluctant to give exact prices for gowns. A woman's shape and individual desires will factor heavily into final costs. More fabric or beading means more time required of the atelier's highly-skilled staff, which of course raises prices.)

Many customers choose to visit Versace's Milan flagship, Via Gesu, to peek into the archives, where they can pull dresses from all the way back to the 1970s for inspiration or even replication. Although new dresses are introduced twice a year, the designs are simply additions to the Atelier catalog, says Roberto Lorenzi, president of U.S. retail for Versace.

"These are evergreen pieces", he says. "Every season we come out with a collection, yes. But I wouldn't talk of seasons. The pieces will always be available to view at Via Gesu".

So, if you're looking to bring Elizabeth Hurley's infamous "safety pin dress" (the slinky black number she wore as Hugh Grant's date to the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral) back from its early 90s grave, a visit to Versace's Atelier archives makes it entirely possible.

The enduring question is: why do women, from the U.S., Europe and - now more than ever - Asia, the Middle East and Russia, choose to invest their resources in such extravagant and delicate goods?

Joan DeJean, author of The Essence of Style, which chronicles the influence of 17th century France on today's attitudes toward fashion and luxury, believes it is not only exclusivity that the client desires, but the title of "trend setter." It's a thrill to own a dress that will spawn a thousand copies.

Not much has changed in the past 400 years, DeJean claims.

"You're dealing with a very small market on both occasions", she says, pointing out that some say there are 100 couture buyers today, perhaps not many more than in the 17th century. "Couture is the perfect example of something that is always the central issue in any kind of luxury goods economy - that is to have something that is virtually unique, and not quite unique. You don't want to have someone looking like you at the Oscars, but you do want to know that you'll have the best style of the season".

Says Lorenzi, "When you spend from $60,000 to over $100,000 (for a gown), you really want the perfect dress for you". And perfection never goes out of style.

LOSE CMS OF YOUR WAIST AND HIPS IN SECONDS

2009-06-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

Much has been said recently about these miracle body shapers that reduce your body size by at least one dress size.

Well the trend is catching on as three of my brides this year have opted to wear such a garment under their wedding gown. After shopping around one has informed me that she found the best deals online. (I have included the link on the far right of this page Tara has given me to share.- 'Austalian Slimwear Boutique')

One of them only wanted to reduce her waist measurement, so she chose to wear a waist shaper. This mainly consists of a wide elasticized band worn under the bust to high hip. It most definitely reduced her waist and gave her that firm toned look which she was wanting to achieve.

As her gown was a fitted dress with no boning, all I could do was make it fit her body size as it was. With the band in place it smoothed out the area and held her firm. The only problem was that I had already started the calico fitting before she bought the under garment and found I had to refit her a second time to reduce the sizing.

One thing you have to keep in mind when purchasing one of these garments is whether the stitching or garment edge borders can be seen through your wedding gown. In particular you have to be careful if you want to wear one under a sleek bias gown.

This happened to my second bride.

She came to her second fitting with a sliming garment that was to be worn from under the bust to mid thigh. The banding ridge at the edge of the legging was clearly visible when she walked!

As she felt comfortable wearing it and I must admit she did look trim, taut and terrific, I modified it for her by cutting off the band and replacing it with clear elastic stiched from the reverse of the garment.

It worked!

This process however needs to be performed by a professional as you can ruin the shaper for the fabric has the potential of laddering.

My third bride was wearing a corseted dress with a 4 layer flowing silk georgette skirt with lining. She too wore the body shaper. Her gown was more suited to a dress style shaper worn from under the bust to high thigh. I did have concerns that it would ride up but she assured me it didn't and felt more sexy wearing it. She also pointed out that she wouldn't hesitate to wear it again after the wedding if she needed to for that special occassion.

So there you have it. If you feel you want to wear one, a) let your dressmaker know before hand so that she can do your fittings accordingly. b) Choose wisely.

Cathyxx