"I’ve gone slightly more feminine for 2013. There’s definitely a hint back to sleeves, but I’m making the dresses so that they can be quite versatile. You've got a look for the ceremony which is quite demure and has got coverage and then you can easily make it into quite a glamorous evening dress with a change of accessories. That’s high on the agenda with the 'Sassi Holford' collection…"
We love who we are at The White Room, but know in order to succeed we need to offer variety, style and keep constantly ahead of the game to ensure brides are getting modern and forward thinking designs that you want to wear on your wedding day. So, with no further ado, I am thrilled to share our latest exciting news with you;
The White Room is very excited to announce that from September 2012 we will be one of the North's featured stockists of Sassi Holford and her beautiful, classic and elegantly British bridal wear…
After a trip to London in May 2012 for the White Gallery to buy for the new season, we instantly fell in love with Sassi and her team and the designs she champions. We know that her cut of fabric, the ability to make a gown 'yours' and the British manufacture & design will make brides love Sassi too! I love the gown versatility, the dedication to perfection and the constant desire to be great.
To celebrate Sassi Holford joining the list of brands we stock, we are offering an exclusive 'preview weekend' at The White Room of the 2013 collection on Friday 10th & Saturday 11th August 2012 {by appointment only}. Contact details are provided at the end of this feature for you to get in touch for further details – we would absolutely love to see you…
Why Sassi?
As stockists of Jenny Packham, Claire Pettibone, Stephanie Allin and Cymbeline, we felt that after a year of opening and making such a great name for ourselves, we could open up the boutique to one more designer and chose Sassi! Her designs are classic, English wedding gowns with a contemporary edge, which I guess most designers say… However it's kind of true…
We were very lucky to be invited to Sassi's main boutique in Taunton, Somerset which was the followed up by a guided tour of the work shop and design studio! We wanted to see Sassi design and make, to see the whole process from start to finish; see the pattern cut, grading, the fabric cut and prepared, the corsetry construction, hand beading and final product, the dress!
"I love enhancing the female shape. Brides want to walk up the aisle feeling their most beautiful, and the right wedding dress can achieve that. It has to have a little bit of theatre!”
We wanted to do this so we can pass on the sheer love and care which goes in to a Sassi gown and also to represent Sassi at The White Room with knowledge, so our brides get the most from their White Room gown.
Not only were everyone at Sassi super friendly, we were also amazed at the attention to detail, the dedication to making every stitch count and most importantly Sassi's desire to make each and every bride's dress memorable, special and amazing!
They start with the design…
…and then the focus is on the construction. Sassi's designs are all hand made in Taunton by expert seamstresses and machines. Their design and make studio in Taunton was an amazing place to be and showed how much detail goes in to the whole start to finish process, something which Chloe say’s she was blown away by! She says “eve the mannequins which the gowns are constructed on are made specifically for Sassi and her team, they factor in a brides posture, the curve of her spine, the shape of her bust, nothing is disregarded”!
The patterns and grading is then cut and envisaged in 3D from the measurements we provide from the bride and the boutique. Sassi then adds the highest quality silks & lace from Italy & France to construct the gowns, cut to perfection and hand finished with beading and appliques to make the perfect gown.
At The White Room, we love an nspirational and knowledgeable designer, one that can help when we need to know if we can add a strap, remove a belt, shorten the corset and who designs what you want to wear, on trend and classic at the same time. We love too how Sassi draws her inspiration from all around her, from fashion, textiles and interior design but above all from her brides and her desire to create their dream dress.
"I think a Sassi bride is quite savvy. She’s often very busy, she’s often got a career. I think my dresses are uncluttered, I want the bride to be the focus of attention. I don’t need to scream or shout – I like an understated elegance. It’s really all about the person wearing it, the dress is only there to enhance their personality, not overtake it…"
Images Copyright Chloe Curry, The White Room, taken at The White Gallery
So ladies, what can we expect from the new Sassi Holford collection at The White Room?
The White Room have invested in a total of seven gowns to start 2013 with and are complimenting these with 'illusion shrugs', belts and shrugettes. The one gown from the continuing collection we have will be 'Ingrid' with all the others are new for 2013! Ingrid will be joined by Pippa, Jasmine, Annabel, Tilly & Dominique from the 2013 collection so you know you will be wearing the latest designs, the most modern cuts and true White Room style…
"When I’m designing for Sassi Holford that’s first and foremost in my mind. Secondly I always like to think, will it take the test of time? I don’t want anybody looking back at wearing one of my dresses in their wedding pictures in 20 years’ time and thinking ‘why did I do that?!’.
There has to be a timeless element in there as well…"
What we saw at The White Gallery were loads of floral, colour & classic shapes, where the detailing of the gown made the statement and the shape of the gown made the style pop! I loved Pippa for the beading, such a glamorous and stylish gown, perfect for a couture focused bride who is looking for detailing and a sexy silhouette without the big train and skirt. I also loved ‘Melissa’ the tea length floral beauty which I know modern brides and those looking for a more ‘retro’ feel with both love!
The White Room as so excited to have Sassi Holford represented here in Sheffield and hope that our brides love her and her designs as much as we do!
Sassi Holford gowns start at £1750 and we will be announcing a 'meet the designer day' with Sassi herself at The White Room towards the end of 2012 too.
To make an appointment or to enquire about attending our Sassi Holford preview weekend on Friday 10th & Saturday 11th August 2012, please don't hesitate to call me on 0114 2722336 or e-mail me [email protected]
Much Love
Chloe
The White Room
