Earlier this week while in Townsville I organised a small Styled Shoot after finding the perfect location to capture my new Vera Gown! I wanted something ethereal with a little mood, and I love to mix abandoned architecture with bridal.

Model Sinead Dallecort
HMUA  Beautiful By Design Townsville
Gown & Veil  Anna Dutton Couture
Photos - Anna Dutton

Michelle married on 28 May 2016 at St Francis Church, Mackay.
We met Michelle around a year earlier when she was a bridesmaid for her sister and she initially enquired about having a custom gown made as she could not find exactly what she was looking for in the bridal stores.

Michelle's gown was sketched during her design consultation to include all the design elements Michelle required.  We then looked through fabric samples and choose Oyster coloured Chateau Taffeta which threw a light pink colour for the main body of the gown, the skirt featured two layers of Mushroom coloured tulle and the bodice was overlayed with Ivory Beaded tulle which also featured many hand cut motifs that we hand sewn onto the bodice, waist and also where the skirt joined the bodice.  The subtle colour of the underlining made the beaded tulle detail more striking. While Michelle wanted a fitted gown she also wanted a practical and comfortable gown so we did allow some room around the hip and waist area in the gown.  The back bodice featured a stunning V to draw the eye down to the waist and had delicate light pink pearls down the zip line.  Michelle also wore a custom veil and headpiece made to match her gown. 

We helped Michelle get ready on the morning of the wedding and also helped her out of the car at the church and were able to capture a few shots from the day x

Vendors:
Getting Ready Location : Lanai Apartments Mackay
Ceremony: St Francis Church, Mackay
Flowers : Floriffic Flowers
Hair : Vicky Brooke - Final Touch Hair and Make-up Artistry
MUA : Tammy Lee Lewis Makeup Artist
Photos in this blog post by Anna Dutton

I met with Linda in the studio for a design consult after she contacted me about a gown for her upcoming wedding. 

Linda had a few ideas but knew that she wanted a very unique gown that was not a typical wedding gown style and that was not traditional white and also something that she may be able to wear again.  The gorgeous bell sleeves were a must have for Linda's gown.  The gown was created out of a luxurious and textured pewter coloured silk which was engrained with knots and thick threads that threw a sandstone colour.  Around the neckline and on the back of the gown was corded lace which had been specially hand dyed by me to match the sandstone colour in the silk and also the organza in the sleeves.  The corded lace was hand cut, and stitched onto the gown to create a unique feature design.  The gown was comfortable and practical but featured darts at the back and slight fitting around the front waist with the princess line seams.  Linda was married by the creek/rain forest  at her own home and we were lucky enough to attend Linda's ceremony and capture a few shots of her in her gown x
Photos by Anna Dutton

Skye & Msaro married in a intimate ceremony at Shambala Creek Cottage followed by a reception under fairy lights at the Wintermoon Grounds.

I created Skyes short lace gown from blush silk Duponi with an off white lace overlay and statement lace bell sleeves which were a must have for Skye. To walk down the isle Skye had a long overskirt created from layers ivory, mushroom and white tulle with hand stitched chantilly lace flowers.  Also worn with a statment beaded headpiece and Mushroom coloured cathedral veil.

After the formalaties Skye entered her reception without the over skirt to reveal the short lace under gown and also her reception headpiece made from tulle and embelishments.

Skye happens to be one of my long time friends so it was an honour to be asked to design and create a gown just for her.  Skye put her full trust in me to create something unique and personalised with the one must have of the lace bell sleeves.

My husband and I we also guests at the wedding - I assisted Skye to get into her gown and I took a few photos at the wedding x

Photos in the blog post by Anna Dutton
Gown, Over skirt, Veil & Headpieces - Anna Dutton Couture
Flowers  -M's Enchanted Flowers
Hair - Avaia Hair
Ceremony - Shambala Creek Cottage
Reception Location and Catering - Wintermoon

I was invited to attend the Industry Professionals day of Australia Bridal Fashion Week at Australian Technology Park in Sydney.

The venue was exceptionally industrial and was the perfect location to host the runway shows and vendor exhibits.

The runway shows featured gowns from a number of Established Australian and International designers and I got to catch up with Bridal Designers Lilli Marcs and Catherine R Couture. 

I thoroughly enjoyed watching each designer's collections come out on the runway adorned with headpieces and jewellery supplied by other exhibiting vendors. 

I will say it was absolutely cold in Sydney last week but that did not deter everyone braving the cold to attend this fantastic event. 

Anna x
Photos by Steven Dutton

Late January I entered the Townsville Fashion Festival Avant Design Competition. 

Although I have since found my entry was not a winner,  creating this gown was another creative opportunity for me. 

The Elizah Gown was created from a combination of Red Duchess Satin, Tulle and lace.  Individual petals were created into handmade flowers and the gown featured hand embellishing and pearling.  The Bodice was a illusion bodice with a high collared neckline, a zipper back and pearl buttons at the collar.  The full skirt featured pockets (who does not love pockets?!) and a inbuilt tulle petticoat. 

I also created the matching headpiece and additional flowers which were attached to the model's face with eyelash glue for a Avant Garde Look.

Model : Chloe Fransham - Model
Hair: Lisa Singleton
MUA: Bobby- Jo Ferris Makeup Artist
Gown & Headpiece : Anna Dutton Couture
Photos: Anna Dutton

I got a few local vendors together to celebrate the Release of my new design "Delilah" - a wonderful Edition to my Boho Luxe Collection.

We wandered down to Shoal Point Beach where I had found a large dead tree a week earlier with the wonderful rocky beach and amazing sky line in the later afternoon.

Hubby helped me carry the amazing Vintage Chair from Borrow My Bits down to the waterline (I won't lie - it was VERY heavy) where model Alice was photographed in the Delilah Gown wearing a selection of Laser Cut Crowns by DE Millinery.

Casey from Blessed Hair Lounge and Bobby-Jo Ferris Makeup Artist worked their magic on Alice and the whole look was captured by the always amazing Melissa Cooney Photography.

- Anna

On Friday 9 October 2015 we attended at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre to participate in the Queensland Brides Design Awards.  This year we entered 5 gowns and completed against 40 gowns created by other Queensland Designers. 

We were privileged that our Real Bride Teneille popped her custom bridal gown and headpiece on and walked the runway for us in the Couture Category.

Our Mackay Model Ashley flew in an hour and half prior to the judging was to begin and both Ashley's and Teneille's Make up and Hair looks were created by Velbella.  Our Third model was the gorgeous Katy who is a freelance model in Brisbane. Her hair and make up look was created by Jwu Studio.

Marynicky Designs situated in Mackay created the Bespoke Gold Crown worn by Ashley with our Avant Garde entry "Astala" which received a "Highly Commended Award".

Maryanne from Marynicky Designs also created Teneille's Red Bouquet and Ebony from Mackay Wedding Flowers created the bright boquet carried by Katy. 

Its a HUGE lead up every year to organise and create gowns, accessories, book models and work out their hair and makeup looks.

A selection of Images from the Runway can be seen below.

Anna xx

We had an amazing Sea Fog Roll in on 26 July 2015 like it had done the day earlier however I was unable to organise a shoot so had Model Lassara ready to go for Sunday should it have returned.

This was a very basic shoot where we only had a short time to travel to the Beach at Mackay Harbour North Wall and take a few photos before this amazing phenomena disappeared before our eyes.

Lassara Wore the brand new Memphis Bridal Gown and Matching Veil for the Shoot.  Photos and Flowers created by Anna Dutton