The Artist's House | A Photo Shoot for Joanne Fleming's 2018 Bridal Collection
"She looked like an edition deluxe of a wicked French novel." Designer Joanne Fleming uses this quote from Oscar Wilde to explain her brand’s aesthetic, and it's a perfect description. Her couture bridal and eveningwear creations are romantic yet sultry, ornate, decadent, and evocative of past eras. She creates her designs in an atelier in Brighton, England, its studio and showroom overlooking the domes and turrets of the Brighton Royal Pavilion. There she and her team transform luxurious fabrics and laces, intricate beadwork, vintage materials, and even feathers, into gorgeous creations for brides and clients all over the world. I fell in love with Joanne’s work after coming across it on Instagram a few years ago, and feel we’re definitely kindred spirits in our love for creating special, handcrafted designs influenced by historical fashion.
Every year, Joanne designs a new collection of gowns to display in her showroom, and organizes a photoshoot to showcase these new styles. This year, the theme was “The Artist’s House,” and Joanne asked me to contribute some jewelry designs for the shoot. The styling had a decidedly artistic influence, with a location overflowing with objets d'art, and clothing and accessories referencing everything from 18th Century portrait painting to traditional Japanese fashion, Frida Kahlo, and silent screen movie stars. Cheng Han, a fine art and fashion photographer known for his dreamlike underwater and fantasy-inspired series, photographed the images with the help of his assistant Andy Teo.
The shoot was photographed at Alex MacArthur Interiors, an interior design showroom housed in a renovated 14th century abbey in Rye, East Essex. All of the interesting furniture, artwork, and backdrops seen in the images (as well as the two canine models!) came from the showroom. Milliners Lomax and Skinner created the dramatic, Gainsborough-inspired hats, while the lace-up boots were made by the House of Elliot. Lotta Djessou and Miss Mole’s Flower Emporium also supplied accessories. Harriet Rainbow and Simply Beautiful Wedding Hair created the models’ hair and makeup looks.
Joanne’s new Sakura gown—a blush-colored, two-piece gown with lace overlay and detachable obi sash—was paired with the Venezia chandelier earring and bracelet set from my latest collection. The Damask Rose earrings and matching bracelet are shown with the Yoake gown, an ethereal confection of blush-colored tulle and vintage ribbons.
Scroll down to see more images from this exquisite shoot, and stay tuned for an upcoming feature on the UK wedding blog Love My Dress.
Credits
Photography: Cheng Han | Photography Assistant & Behind-the-Scenes Photos: Photocillin | Gowns & Styling: Joanne Fleming Design | Makeup: Harriet Rainbow | Hair: Liz at Simply Beautiful Wedding Hair | Millinery: Lomax and Skinner | Lace Jewelry: Edera Jewelry | Metal Jewelry: Lotta Djossou | Lace Boots: House of Elliot | Floral Crowns: Miss Mole’s Flower Emporium | Location: Alex MacArthur Interiors | Models: Emmeline and Maika at MK Model Management
Shop the Look
Intricate links of golden lace, crystals, and hand-embroidered blush flowers are joined together with luminous pearls to form this beautiful bridal statement cuff. The handcrafted lace motifs and gold-filled findings make it suitable for a future wedding heirloom.
In the Victorian language of flowers, the pink roses symbolized perfect happiness, grace and sweetness.
COUTURE DETAILS
The bracelet features five diamond-shaped lace links, created entirely by hand in our Vermont, USA, studio using couture lacemaking and embroidery techniques
The flowers at the centers of the lace motifs are hand-embroidered with blush silk threads
Hand-wired links of freshwater pearls and gold-filled chain join the lace motifs together to form a flexible design
The crystals and glass beads embellishing the cuff are vintage and date over 50 years old, instantly adding the traditional "something old" to your wedding ensemble
The bracelet is lightweight, and fastens with a lobster claw clasp and extender chain for a comfortable and adjustable fit
COLOR OPTIONS
Lace Color: Silver, Antique Silver, Gold (featured), or Antique Gold
Flower & Pearl Options: Pink or Ivory
DIMENSIONS
6.75-7.5"(17-18.75cm) x 1.25"(3cm)
HEIRLOOM-QUALITY MATERIALS
14k gold-filled or sterling clasps, chains, and findings
Freshwater pearls
Vintage glass seed beads and crystals (c. 1950s)
Pure silk threads
High-quality metallic foil threads
SHIPPING & PRODUCTION TIMES
The Damask Rose Bracelet is a made-to-order design. Please allow up to 3 weeks for it to be created specially for you.
For more information on turn-around times, shipping, and returns, please visit our Shop Policy page
These handcrafted, intricately beaded wedding chandelier earrings are by turns romantic and bohemian. They're embroidered with a richly textured mix of handmade lace, vintage crystals, and tiny glass beads. The Venezia earrings' teardrop-shaped pendants, fringed with mother-of-pearl beads, take their inspiration from the gothic architecture of the Doge's Palace in Venice.
COUTURE DETAILS
The earrings are adorned with lace motifs created entirely by hand in our Vermont, USA, studio using couture lacemaking and bead embroidery techniques
Small beaded leaves, round lace motifs, mother-of-pearl and freshwater pearl beads, and vintage crystals are embroidered onto the earrings' surface for a richly textured effect
Large freshwater pearl cabochons elevate the earrings to heirloom quality
A row of iridescent mother-of-pearl drops swings from the bottom of the lace pendants, adding movement to the design
The earrings fasten with studs lined with a soft woven backing for extra comfort when worn
The back of the earring pendants are also embellished, so that the earrings are beautiful when viewed from either direction
The crystals and glass beads embellishing the earrings are vintage and date over 50 years old, instantly adding the traditional "something old" to your wedding ensemble
COLOR OPTIONS
Lace & Metal Color: Silver or Gold
Pearl Options: All Ivory (shown) or Ivory with Pale Peach Cabochons
DIMENSIONS
2.75”(6.9cm) x 1”(2.5cm)
HEIRLOOM-QUALITY MATERIALS
Sterling silver or 14k gold-filled posts, ear clutches, and findings
Freshwater pearls
Vintage glass seed beads and crystals (c. 1950s)
High-quality metallic foil threads
Mother-of-pearl beads
SHIPPING & PRODUCTION TIMES
The Venezia Earrings are a made-to-order design. Please allow up to 3 weeks for them to be created specially for you.
For more information on turn-around times, shipping, and returns, please visit our Shop Policy page
Additional Photo Credit: Katherine Brackman
Handwoven lace motifs, intricately embroidered with a mix of beads and crystals, are joined together with luminous pearls to form this multi-strand bridal cuff bracelet.
COUTURE DETAILS
The bracelet is adorned with lace motifs created entirely by hand in our Vermont, USA, studio using couture lacemaking and bead embroidery techniques
Small beaded leaves, round lace motifs, vintage crystals, seed beads, mother of pearl, and freshwater pearl beads are embroidered onto the bracelet's surface for a richly textured effect
Large freshwater pearl cabochons and luminous rice pearl strands elevate the cuff to heirloom quality
The lightweight bracelet's pearl strands are strung on beading wire for a strong but flexible fit
The lace motifs are fully lined with a soft woven backing for extra comfort when worn
An extender chain and lobster clasp creates an adjustable and secure fit
The crystals and glass beads embellishing the bracelet are vintage and date over 50 years old, instantly adding the traditional "something old" to your wedding ensemble
COLOR OPTIONS
Lace & Metal Color: Silver or Gold
Pearl Options: Ivory with Pale Peach Cabochons (featured) or All Ivory
DIMENSIONS
6.75-7.5”(16.9-18.75cm) x 1.25"(3.125cm)
HEIRLOOM-QUALITY MATERIALS
Sterling silver or 14k gold-filled clasp, wire, and findings
Freshwater pearls
Vintage glass seed beads and crystals (c. 1950s)
High-quality metallic foil threads
Mother-of-pearl beads
SHIPPING & PRODUCTION TIMES
The Venezia Bracelet is a made-to-order design. Please allow up to 3 weeks for it to be created specially for you.
For more information on turn-around times, shipping, and returns, please visit our Shop Policy page
Intricate oval pendants of gilded lace, pearls, and blush flowers sway from delicate chains on these romantic bridal statement earrings. Vintage crystals add a hint of sparkle throughout the design.
In the Victorian language of flowers, the pink roses symbolized perfect happiness, grace and sweetness.
COUTURE DETAILS
The lace motifs are created entirely by hand in our Vermont, USA, studio using couture lacemaking and embroidery techniques
The flowers at the centers of the lace motifs are hand-embroidered with blush silk threads
Hand-wired sprigs of freshwater pearls accent the lace pendants
The crystals and glass beads embellishing the earrings are vintage and date over 50 years old, instantly adding the traditional "something old" to your wedding ensemble
Though eye-catching, the earrings are lightweight, and feature a soft woven backing on the posts for added comfort when worn
COLOR OPTIONS
Lace: Gold with Silver Accents (featured), Antique Gold with Silver Accents, All Silver, or Antique Silver with Silver Accents (please refer to color charts).
Silk Embroidery Color: Pink, Blue, White, or Ivory
DIMENSIONS
2.5"(5cm) x 1.25"(3cm)
HEIRLOOM-QUALITY MATERIALS
14k gold-filled or sterling studs, chains, and findings
Freshwater pearls
Vintage glass seed beads and crystals (c. 1950s)
Pure silk threads
High-quality metallic foil threads
Non-tarnishing silver-plated or gold tone wire
SHIPPING & PRODUCTION TIMES
The Damask Rose Earrings are a made-to-order design. Please allow up to 3 weeks for them to be created specially for you.
For more information on turn-around times, shipping, and returns, please visit our Shop Policy page
Additional Image Credit: Cheng Han | Gown: Joanne Fleming Design