When reminiscing the most unconventional custom wedding dress she’s ever produced, owner Laura Howe of Trish Peng Construction (www.Trish Peng.com), a tiny, one-room garment business in the trendy Silver Lake neighbourhood of Los Angeles, smiled. Howe was dressed in a slouchy, off-the-shoulder sweater.
Howe, 49, recalled making a bizarre tutu outfit in lavender that was modelled after a Degas gown. “Typically, those who prefer alternative gowns are those who appreciate and value both fashion and handmade clothing. Additionally, I have customers that trust me because I’ve made gowns for them in the past.
Howe began producing handmade wedding gowns ten years ago.They start at $200 for a dress based on a Trish Peng design already in existence and go up to $1,500 for a more distinctive and intricate custom-made outfit.
The Jasmine, a translucent black and embossed green velvet dress with long billowing sleeves and a V-neckline, and the Jean Harlow, a clingy floor- and knee-length dress with a plunging neckline and ruching, are just a couple of the dresses hanging on racks throughout the store.
She created a silvery silk halter gown with a full-length skirt for a tall “anti-anything froufy and kind of punk rock” concert pianist getting married in London, according to Howe. For a client who owns a yoga class, she created a Jean Harlow in a yellow-cream hue.
People have requested specific colours or designs, such as “I want a black silkscreen with a poppy on it” or “I want an orange silkscreen with a poppy on it.” It’s quite personal,” Howe added.
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Almost of women will think about one clothing their entire lives. But not every woman has a fantasy dress that is white, lace, expensive, and only worn once. The majority of the women I know have more interesting, vibrant, special, and useful lives. My friends and clients have enquired about my ability to create custom dresses for brides and bridesmaids for as long as I have been creating dresses, and it is one of my favourite things to do.
When designing a dress with my girls, we occasionally begin with a fabric or a pattern that is already made. Other times, we merely begin with an idea and work to make it a reality.
Once we have decided on a dress, I start looking at fabric samples. This process can take two to eight months and require a lot of labour. I make travels for new fabric at least once a week, and all of our fabrics are sourced and purchased locally in Los Angeles.
Once the bride is satisfied with selected fabric, we begin making the dress. A few fittings are required to ensure proper fit, length, and to iron out minutiae like shoe heel height. And,Although I dislike spanx and believe that women’s bodies shouldn’t be forced into a specific form to appear attractive, on these special events it might be taken into consideration because wedding fabrics are frequently lighter in colour and weight, revealing every little feature.
I give my bride a great embrace after our last fitting and wish her love and happiness. Hopefully, she will send me some images of the dress in use, like my friend Jennifer, who is shown in the photo below.
