Timeless pieces, handcrafted with passion.

I have been very lucky to have inherited some beautiful jewellry from my great grand mother - a seamstress and my own much loved nana. Two simple rings, beautifully crafted pieces that I cherish dearly. I have come to see them as part of my history, something to pass to my daughter that will tell her a story, connecting her with these amazing women.

Captured by Paul from Moat Hill Photography 

Somewhere in those first hazy months of new mother hood a spark of an idea came. I dreamt of designing a collection of very special pieces. Garments that would become heirlooms. Irish designed and crafted, that would be worn again and again. Wearing them would bring back memories of a special day, a moment in time to be cherished.

This spark grew into my first accessories collection. I have designed accessories for my brides over the years but this gave me the opportunity to explore new ideas and create something to treasure. These statement pieces are designed to complete a brides wedding look whether to highlight their dress or add the finishing detail. But also to be worn again and again.

So it may have taken longer then expected - thank you baby Niamh for keeping me busy. But 2 years later I finally launched the first of my accessory collections. Each piece will be made to order through our online shop, hand crafted with passion and loved well past the wedding day.

Amazing picture of our Super Star Cape by Johanna King Photography 

Behind the Scenes - Designing a Dress

To have time to sit and design is a luxury for most creatives. But so much fun when you get the chance. So how does an idea go from a small light bulb in my head to a dress?

Often it's a small thing that will spark off an idea, a simple silk flower, a piece of exquisite lace or just a piece of soft sublime silk.  I am constantly sourcing materials that inspires and delights. I am also addicted to Pinterest and Instagram where you cannot help but be inspired by beautiful images.

When we meet with our brides to be it is often her ideas of the type of wedding and her personality that can inspire her dress. Each design we create is for each individual bride so injecting her personal style and taste is a big part of my design process.

With these two elements in place I take some time to sit and sketch, playing with silhouettes and details that will make a beautiful one off piece. It is one of the more exciting parts of my job .. sending off sketches to a new client. 

Underwear Changes Everything

No matter your shape or style the right underwear can transform your figure and transform your wedding dress. I can't emphasis enough the important of getting the correct undergarments. This is not a last minute rush to M&S job, you must take some time to try on and find the perfect fit.

Bras

For me smooth no lace, nude bras with an excellent shape are the way to go. There is only one way to pick a bra and that is to try on, try on, try on. Then ask yourself does it feel comfortable, does it give a flattering shape or create lumps I don't need?

You also have to look at you dress. Do you need strapless? Will the back need to be lower? Does the front need to plunge? Ask your designer to help you out, she can give you measurements on how far down the strap needs to go to compliment the dress and what other elements you may need to consider before you purchase.

Knickers

Fancy lace thongs don't always do the job to flatter your shape. It's the smooth nude rule again for knicker purchases. Whither your dress is slinky or ball-gown style you need to be sure the knickers are creating a smooth shape and don't cast a shadow through the dress. Doesn't mean you can't buy a fancy French knicker for later when all the pictures have been taken.

Shape wear

Nearly all my brides the last two years have worn some sort of shape wear. These are all fabulous ladies of all shapes and sizes. My one recommendation for shape wear is please make sure you are comfortable and that you won't get to hot in them. Not to be crude but think about how you can manoeuvre out of said shape-wear for the call of nature!!

Ask the experts

Over the years we have sent hundreds of brides out to find the complimentary underwear for their dresses. Peaches and Cream in the Westbury Mall in Dublin have been a big winner with our brides. Also Brown Thomas and Arnotts for getting measured for a great shaping bra. 

So once you have your dress purchased get underwear shopping, don't leave it till the last minute.

As always have fun

With passion

Sarah  

Brendan Lyon photography 

My Inspiration

 It is around this time of year when our summer brides are just having final touches done to their dresses that I start to think of a new collection. So this week I am taking a little break from the norm and giving an insight to where I find my inspiration and how I start the process of designing new dresses.

Time out from my studio is usually a great opportunity for me to relax and let my mind escape. This week I took a trip to Killarney for some family time and I came back buzzing with excitement. What a beautiful country we have at our finger tips. The colours all around us, lush greens, pink sky's and vibrant floral shades. 

Taking my new found inspiration and my chilled out mind I couldn't help but create 2015's mood board when I landed back in the studio on Thursday (thank you to my hard working assistant Molly for indulging me). This is always just a starting point for me to get a feeling, a mood of how the next year will be. It is from here that I will in the coming weeks start to design the next collection.

I will now gather together fabrics, laces and embellishments that I wish to use in the coming year. I will do samples of beading and fabric manipulation that I would like to incorporate into the collection. With hopefully the final sketches coming together in the coming weeks. Follow my progress on Instagram @sfoydesign.

So if you are just starting out and struggling to get ideas for your wedding. Take a deep breath, a glass of wine and hit Pinterest to create your own mood board. It doesn't have to be wedding related images that you pin, just what you are drawn too. This will help you to get an idea of what you love, hate and adore.

With passion 

Sarah

Ps I have two new boards up on Pinterest to show you for 2015's inspiration so check us out Pinterest @Sarah Foy design

2015 mood board 

Ivory To Blush and 101 Colours In Between

If I was to pick one element of designing a wedding dress that is  most important and most vital it would be colour. 

Brides can spend hours picking the exact neckline for their dress, but when I ask them what colour are they thinking for their dream gown, I get a rabbit caught in headlights look. 

Colour can change everything on a dress, one shade difference can transform a brides complexion from dull and washed out, to a natural healthy glow, this is before fake tan and professional make up does its job. 

So where does a bride begin, how on earth do you decide between optical white, platinum white, off white, winter white... even my head spins with the amount of names for white. So here is a little lesson on colour before you hit the wedding dress trail

Take a look at your makeup bag

Yes I know a little mad, but a little education on your colouring before you start can make a big decision on choosing a dress colour a little less stressful. 

Foundation generally comes in two tones - a pink tone and a yellow tone. It helps to have an idea of what tone foundation you use especially if you are going to go with an ivory dress. For the lovely pink tone ladies a cream or light ivory are going to work better for you. Yellow tones are going to rock our the strong ivory's like champagne.

While you are at it, check out your wardrobe

Pick out 5 outfits from your wardrobe that you know are amazing on you and always get compliments. With the outfits laid out is there a theme, are they all lovely warm colours or soft pastel colours. The idea is to get a feeling for your colouring. 

For example, I am a cold colour person  (with a warm heart of course ). I need to wear strong primary colours that are cool. So my wardrobe is full of silver, greys, bright blues and strong vibrant pinks. For my wedding dress, I needed to wear a bright white, cool silver or an ice pink. For the warmer ladies, you will have mochas, creams and dusky colours in the wardrobe. Gold, cream, blush and pearl ivory are going to be winners for you.

Honesty

We all have that one person in our lives that is brutally honest with us, for me it's my mother. When she doesn't like something on me you know straight away! Classic quote this week "Did you try to curl your hair last night Sarah or are you going for the messy look".

It maybe a friend, sibling or even your spouse to be. Ask them for an hour of their time, pop into a shop and try on white tops, cream tops and any bridal colours you can find. You will be surprised how this little trick will help to narrow down what colour suits you best.

Over the years I have made some of the most beautiful colour wedding dresses. From burgundy red to teal, sage green to printed multi coloured chiffon they where just the right fit for the brides personality. Although you may not want to go as extreme as these ladies don't be afraid of colour, embrace it. A hint of colour in the embellishment or in the lining maybe just what you need!

So let the hunt begin, you are armed with a little education on colour. Remember to have fun it is an exciting time and no stressing allowed 

With passion

Sarah