Faces Behind The Scene - Kay Pertzel

Name: Kay Pertzel

Time with company: 9 fun filled years

Position: Production Manager - I am the grease on the wheels of production, I make sure everything is running smoothly.

Education: Diploma of Fashion TAFE Qld

Career Highlight: My career highlight would be when I was given the opportunity to have input into the creative process.

Favourite item in the studio: "Mr Choppy" my scissors.

What do you love about working at Elizabeth de Varga Exclusive Fashions?: The people, and working with beautiful fabrics.

Hobbies: Ice skating, swimming and playing my piano

Favourite gown: Florence, Natalia and Sophia Rose

 

Faces behind the scene.....

Name: Janie Budd

Time with company: Since the year 2000 but have had time away for study and children

Craft description: Bridal consultant, reception for wholesale and retail, admin and marketing

Education: Diploma of Fashion, Bachelor of Business - Marketing

What do you love about working at EdeV? The team I work with, the product I work with and helping clients have the dream experience and sharing in their joy.

Hobbies: I am often busy with my children, but when I get a bit of time I love sewing.

Fondest memory at work? Sharing in the experience of Annabelle Hankins and her amazingly lovely family.  They were collecting Annabelle’s made to measure wedding gown, 4 custom designed silk bridesmaid gowns and her mum’s mother of the bride dress.  It was a celebration to say the least with gifts, champagne and homemade sweet treats for all.  The joy they all had was inspirational and it was an experience I will never forget.

Favourite place: the beach

Favourite gown: The “Chevonne”…my dress

Most treasured possession: My two babies…well they are 3 and 6 now

 

Have you ever wondered what happens in the planning of a collection photo shoot ?

The planning for the shoot begins months ahead.  A tentative date is set which also becomes the deadline for the completion of the collection.  This is marked with a big red pen on the calendar and the count down begins.

We begin planning for the shoot by looking at what would suit our label and the collection.  Elizabeth de Varga Exclusive Fashions styling is timeless, elegant, feminine and modern.  The 2012 Couture collection is all about the fabrics and detailing with beautiful laces, heavily sequined silk georgette, printed silks and soft silk chiffons, with gorgeous detailing such as hand made silk flowers, an heirloom belt buckle appliquéd lace work and hand beading of Swarovski crystals, pearls and diamontes.   We felt the collection would suit a shoot that was soft, romantic and feminine.  For the first time we were looking at an outdoor shoot with the use of props.

An inspiration book was created with examples of shoot styling and props; hair and make up looks and model posing that we loved.  Below are some of what we had in the book.

The next step was to book in the photographer, model, location and hair and make up artists.  This sounds easy but is actually quite time consuming and stressful as some of these decisions can make or break a shoot.  Proposals were sent in from a number of talented photographers from which we had to make a very difficult decision.  We chose the gorgeous Calli from Calli B photography.  She is a very talented local photographer who we have worked with many times on photo shoots for the Sunshine Coast Brides magazine.  We had also seen some gorgeous photos from some of our clients who had booked her as their photographer.  www.callibphotography.com.au

It worked out that we would tie the shoot in with a shoot we had already planned with the Sunshine Coast Brides magazine an as such the hair and make up artists were already  booked. www.sunshinecoastbrides.com.au

The only change to our plans with this shoot was the inclusion of a second model.  As the collection was made up of 30 gowns we required a second model to fit with the timeframe for the shoot.  Auditions were held with models from Dallys Models www.dallysmodels.com .  In the end we went with our favourite model Michelle McNamee and the beautiful experienced Fleur Templeton.  Both stunning and talented in what they do. 

Our final big choice was the location…..and this was a hard one.  After looking a several possible local locations including an exclusive private residence, a guest house and a hinterland farm location, we finally decided on the gorgeous Spicers Clovelly Estate at Monteville www.spicersgroup.com.au .  We had used this location in 2010 and it really is a very special place.  The estate has a French provincial style.

With the props arranged including Flowers from Mondo Floral Designs www.mondoforaldesigns.com.au and Blooms of Noosa www.bloomsofnoosa.com.au …..and a crystal chandelier from Splash Events in Noosa www.splashevents.com.au , the only thing left to worry about was the weather!!  We had a back up weather day planned and a few worst case scenario plans – but were really hoping these wouldn’t eventuate.

The day came and the weather was perfect! The first couple of hours we were setting up and the models were in hair and make up.  Then the fun started.  Leonie a senior stylist at Elizabeth de Varga Exclusive Fashions was all business and had us all working efficiently with styling and changing of the models.  Calli was awesome getting the pictures she needed in good time.  We were also pleased with the models Michelle and Fleur, they were both super professional.

The collection shoot was a huge success!

Wedding Connection

I am really excited to be able to share the outcome of the efforts of the Wedding Connection group.
Elizabeth de Varga Exclusive Fashions provided the gorgeous designer wedding gown "Paris" and all the bridal accessories for the shoot. 
The Wedding Connections group is designed to showcase what the Sunshine Coast has to offer.
Enjoy.....

The Paris gown features a heavily sequined silk georgette bodice, hand appliqued and beaded detailing on one of the silk shoe string strap.  The band and full gathered skirt is made in supersmooth dupion silk and there is a handmade silk flower, lace, beading and shimmer tulle feature at the waist.

 

Mum's Word

Choosing a designer wedding gown, having dress fittings and seeing the the dress finished on the final fitting and collection day is a hugely exciting time for a bride.  And it is something most girls share with their mum.  Recently we have been touched by the heartfelt Thank Yous from Mum's who have shared in the bridal gown journey with their daughters.

"Dear Tammie,
I would like to thank you and your team at Elizabeth de Varga for the wonderful product you create and the enjoyable experience it has been for both Kimberly and I.  Thank you.
Regards Leslee Edey. MOB "

"To Dear Tammie,
My sincere Thanks to you (and your great team) for all the wonderful work with Shae's wedding dress.  You helped us so much through the whole process (uncharted territory for us!!) and we always felt that "nothing was too much trouble" - it certainly relaxed me and took a lot of "stress" away for us all.  I love how Shae has made her dress unique for her - and how you have encouraged and supported her through the many "changes"!  We are obviously not "couture" people but always felt very comfortable around you and your wonderful girls.  Please thank them all (especially the "unseen" ones in the pattern making / cutting and sewing area.)  You are all gems.
And I'll never forget the look on you face when Shae mentioned she'd like a "long train". Priceless!!
Good luck with everything - and thanks again for a happy and relaxed (and fun!) experience.  Shae's dress is gorgeous.
Cheers and thanks, Michele Freemantle."

Something Old, Something New

Weddings are full of traditions, and age old tradition of something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue is one that is often included in a wedding.  Recently one of our Brides requested her Grandmothers pearls be beaded onto her designer wedding gown.  What a beautiful idea.  She said it was very special to her to have something of her Grandmothers with her.  We have also had the honour of repairing a gorgeous antique veil that had been passed down through the generations.  I love this idea of incorporating something of real meaning into a Brides gown, veil, headpiece or jewelry on the most special day of her life.  It give a real depth of meaning to the tradition of wearing something old and something borrowed.

At Elizabeth de Varga Exclusive Fashions we specialise in creating a gown especially for the bride.  We can incorporate any ideas the client has for her gown.  The idea of including some bead work, lace or even a styling concept from someone one important to them is something we can help with.

Above is the beautiful Kirsty with her Grandmothers pearls added to the detailing of her dress.

The original phrase is     Something old, something new
                                        Something borrowed, something blue
                                        And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

This comes from Britain in the Victorian era but the concepts with in the phrase are drawn on older traditions.  Something old symbolises the family past and continuing of family and the something new symbolises hope and optimism for the future.  The concept of a bride in blue dates back to ancient Rome.  At this time blue was a symbol of love, modesty and fidelity.  And the coin a symbol for prosperity.





We would love to hear your thoughts and own ideas for this tradition.

AND THE WINNER IS..............DANIELLE BYRNES!

Congratulations to the stunning Danielle who won the Queensland Final of the Miss Universe Australia pagent!  Danielle is wearing our beautiful "Mercedes" Gown and "Tempest" Earrings.

What's  more exciting is we are designing her a dress for the national final!  Stay tuned for details!

Article from the GoldCoast Bullentin

Coast model and sports management student Danielle Byrnes will join fellow locals Emma Lane, Jessica Friedman and Madeline Taylor in the quest for the crown.
Townsville's Lucy Tuttiett, Brisbane's Susie Leigh and Mackay's Brooke Nash will also represent the state.
Byrnes is no stranger to the catwalk, having represented Australia in the Miss Global Beauty pageant, but admitted to being slightly nervous yesterday.
"I was confident but as soon as I walked in the room it instantly lowered any hopes because there were so many incredibly beautiful women," she said.
"I relaxed a bit because I didn't think I had any chance and had more fun because I didn't get my hopes up."
The 25-year-old is dating V8 Supercar driver Tim Slade, who was busy texting her throughout the event to see how she was going.
"He didn't want to come because it was a high tea but he is really supportive," she said.