Velvet applique dress

Velvet dress with beaded appliques at the gathered shoulders. Shirred, banded waist, flared skirt with fishtail hem. 40'' from waist at longest point. Hidden back zip. Rayon/nylon. Hand wash. Imported.

Velvet applique dress

Polka-dot sheath dress

Sensational linen-blend sheath in an irregular polka-dot print. Flared hem, hidden side zip. Below-the-knee length, 25'' from waist (221/2'' Petite). Linen/rayon; lined. Dry clean. Imported.

Polka-dot sheath dress

Girls Fall Winter Pink Cardigan Dress Set Rare Editions

This adorable Rare Editions Girls Pink and Brown Cardigan Dress is perfect for the Fall/Winter season. The two piece girls dress set is from Rare Editions Girls Clothing. The pink cardigan sweater is adorned with a bejeweled butterfly sitting on a pink and brown ribbon. The cardigan sweater closes with a jeweled button closure. The dress features a sleeveless pink a-lined bodice. The skirt of the dress is a Dark Brown with beautiful embroidered flowers. The flared skirt of the dress is fully lined ending with dark brown Kremlin following a cotton lining for an adorable full look for your special girl.

Girls Fall Winter Pink Cardigan Dress Set Rare Editions

Together Belted Embroidered Mesh Dress

This is a beautiful dress. Sheer black embroidered mesh party dress with satin tie belt and scalloped hem. Silver satin spaghetti-strap slip. 30'' from waist. Side zip. Nylon. Dry clean. Imported. The dress is very "swishy", has a bit of weight to it so it hangs nicely, and has a nice feel to it as you walk. The fit is pretty true to size.

Embroidered Mesh Dress

Ankle-length batwing dress

Beautiful Dress! It fits on your body no matter your frame. It can be as elegant as you wanted to be. Comfortable dress. Drapes perfectly. Great for travel. A Must Have for any wardrobe. Very comfortable wearing. Hugs the curves of your body very well. Can be worn for work of evening affair.
Ankle-length batwing dress
Ankle-length batwing Dress Details

Fabulous batwing dress in your choice of four colors. Bateau neck, shirred waist, full skirt. Long; ankle-length dress. 36'' from waist (34'' for Petite). Drapey rayon/spandex jersey. Machine wash. Imported. Ankle-length batwing dress

Modern Prom Dresses

Simply stunning. Pleated pink satin detailing at the waist and a halter style neck line make for an unforgettable look. A fitted waist provides a striking silhouette. Made in the USA.

Fun and flity baby doll dress is made out of gorgeous peau de soie satin. Satin bow adds brilliant detail to this must have design. Hidden side zipper.Made in the USA.

Sleek, strapless gown made out of peau de soie satin is simply stunning. Dazzling rhinestones add brilliant detail to two sexy cutouts. This body conscious dress is slim fitting to the knee then flows into a mermaid hemline. Comes with matching scarf. Made in the USA.

Simply stunning. Breathtaking bias cut satin faille gown features an unforgettable Austrian crystal piece at the base of the back. A daring side slit and a flowing train complete this work of art. Fully lined. Hidden side zipper. Made in the USA.

Flirty strapless dress is stunning both coming and going. This dress features a gorgeous hand-made satin bow. Hidden side zipper. Made in the USA.

Exquisite and feminine. Gorgeous peau de sois satin gown features a breathtaking skirt with gather detailing. A boned bustier, which fits like a glove, forms a charming neckline. A stunning crystal piece completes this must have dress. Fully lined. Hidden Back Zipper.Made in the USA.

Alluring bustier dress features a dazzling skirt made out rows of intricately sewn chiffon. Super sexy bustier top features boning for a flattering fit. A beautiful crystal belt completes this incredible dress. Hidden back zipper. The body of the dress is made out of peau de soie satin. Made in the USA.

Stunning strapless pois de sois satin gown, with a heart-shaped bust line, features gentle kick pleating for a breathtaking hourglass figure. A dazzling crystal broach grasps the timeless beauty of this gown. Open back. Fully lined. Hidden back zipper.Made in the USA.

Sophisticated elegance. Intricate detailing at the side creates a slimming effect on this gorgeous peau de sois gown. Hidden zipper. Made in the USA.

BEST OF 2008 - Merry Christmas from Culture Shock!

How quickly has this year flown by?


As i recall all the wonderful "Culture Shock" brides that we have had the pleasure of dressing thru 2008, here are a few personal highlights (in no particular order...)


* A lovely Norwegian bride whose gown we decorated with a traditional Norwegian embroidered ribbon waistband (which she painstakingly hand-stitched herself), and finished with an antique brooch from her Grandmothers wedding....DIVINE!



* Our always-smiling, nature-loving & very funky client whose bridal corset-mini-dress we designed especially for her, in white silk, then dip-dyed in bright lime green and sunny yellow, so that she was like a little Aussie"bush-baby" for her garden wedding - the result was FUN, FLIRTY & FABULOUS - and it fitted her personality, setting & theme just perfectly!



* Our beautiful Tasmanian client whose wedding took place on her own organic farm in rural Tassie, by a small riverbed containing several platypus, who were seen by the guests playing in the water during the ceremony- aaawwwwww!!!! How very Australian is that?





* The highest number EVER of interstate & international clients who flew to Sydney especially for us - planning their flights to visit the Culture Shock studio for fittings with whatever other excuses to come to Sydney they could muster- shopping trips, business trips, visiting friends and family - or just solely to visit Culture Shock! A special thanks to all those globe-trotting, jet-setting brides, it's always a pleasure & we trust it was worth the early morning starts and extra travelling time! The world is definitely getting smaller...




* Our fun-loving, bold, curvaceous and retro-inspired bride who cleverly blended her love of the 40's AND 50's with her "victory-rolls" hair-do, funky Fifties Obi frock, red petticoat and fabulous red peep-toe shoes - you looked AWESOME, Miss N.....



* So many "East Meets West" inspired brides who embraced my love of Japan, and allowed me to mix splashes of RED amongst the ivory and whites, to create wedding gowns that celebrate Asian cultures as well as our own - and allowed me to delve deeply into my vintage Kimono & Obi collections.



* Likewise with my Indian-inspired bridal clients - we created some amazing & totally unique wedding gowns from rich, exquisitely-coloured Sari's this year, including bold purple, deep turquoise and brilliant aqua, plus the ever-popular reds, all mixed back with whites and ivories to stunning effect - and we hope these gowns will be worn again to Xmas/ NYE parties very soon!




* If there was one look that dominated my brides this year, despite the diverse range of styles we create - it would have to be the GRECIAN GODDESS look! And to make that happen - soooooo many never-ending hours of pinning, hand-rusching, draping, hand-stitching and french-seaming layer upon layer of sheer silk georgette and chiffon- thank goodness my beautiful & immensely talented & experienced staff ALL have such nimble fingers!


So as i wave goodbye to 2008, yet another creative, inspiring & rewarding year for Culture Shock, i now take my hat off to my FABULOUS, patient, caring and very dear team of expert staff, who work with me here in the studio, weaving their magic and making my crazy ideas come to life and look so good on each and every client - ladies, without you, there would be no gowns, no Culture Shock, and no fun ....A HEARTFELT THANK YOU SHERRY, JOAN, SABINA, EVE, POLI and LINDA, for a job VERY VERY WELL DONE!


AND a BIG, warm and very special thanks to all our beautiful brides ... here's to a SPLENDID year in 2009, have a magical Christmas,

love from Lisa xx


Jersey Bubble Dress

A simply fun dress. Imported. Soft, stretch jersey knit. Turtleneck and long sleeves. Banded bubble hem. 21½ from waist. Polyester/spandex; machine wash. Misses.

Misses Purple Sequin Border Dress

Misses Purple Sequin Border Dress

A romantic style dress by Jonathan Martin that features a sheer border print overlay, is fully lined, sleeveless, wrap surplus front, contrast bow trim at waist, and shirred shoulder details. Polyester. 34" from waist. Imported. Machine Wash. Tumble Dry.

Misses Purple Sequin Border Dress

Shirred V-neck dress by Newport News

Flattering V-neck dress has a ruched commerbund waistline and flared skirt. 28'' from waist. Polyester/rayon knit with spandex for support and shape retention. Machine wash. Imported.

Shirred V-neck dress

Soulmates

Ok. All you brides-to-be out there. Meet Soulmates. Ingenious ideas or hideous heel appendage? Would you outdoor brides wear these? Or hand them out to guests?

Anyone wish they trademarked these things?


Shape fx Control halter dress

Built-in bodysuit with power-mesh panel to control tummy soft cup shelf bra supports bust Ruffled V-neck halter dress has a built-in bodysuit with power-mesh tummy panel, soft cup shelf bra support, snap bottom. Elongating dropwaist, waist-defining shirring; flared hem balances hips. 38'' from waist. Pullover styling. Soft polyester jersey with superior Lycra control. Machine wash. Imported. Shape fx Control halter dress.

Shape fx Control halter dress

Update on Rue la la

Here's an update on Rue la la girls. From now until December 31, if you do the following, they are going to give you a 10 dollar credit to use for their sample sales. Do I need to mention that the John Hardy boutique is up and running this morning AND shoshanna starts tomorrow? And by doing this, you automatically are invited to join the fun, so I am going to stop manually adding those of you who commented on the last post.

Here's what you do:

1. Go to www.ruelala.com/gift
2. Enter my e-mail: preppywedding@hotmail.com

And WOWSA. You get a 10 dollar credit.

Thanks to our friends at rue la la.

Great Bridesmaid or Christmas Gifts

UPDATE:
The Vera Bradley code is no longer working. I hope lots of you got some deals before they pulled the plug. As for rue la la, let me know if you're interested and I will invite you!

Don't know if you gals are looking for cute bridesmaid or Christmas gifts this year, but Vera Bradley has an awesome sale going on right now.

Cosmetic bags for 12 dollars (and an extra 50 percent off)
Belts for 5 dollars (and an extra 50 percent off)
Duffels and purses for as low as 15 dollars (and an extra 50 percent off)

Go here now to order friends!

Here's the details on the free shipping and extra 50 percent off:
Additional 50% off clearance with code VBMILITARY and free shipping on orders of $100 or more with FreeShipDec (the free shipping code expires today).

Also, are you girls members of Ruelala? It's a members only site that is like one big sample sale. Today is the Kate Spade sale and the next sales will be David Yurman and Shoshanna. Some awesome deals there too. If you are interested in being a member, just leave your e-mail in the comments section and I will send you an invite!
Another opportunity to show off more of our two color letterpress wedding invitations. This design is called "Wild Flower Tapestry" and shows a stitched leaf work with wild thistle flowers on a tapestry background.


The text used on this layout is a stunning contemporary combination of Verdana for the text and Satisfaction for the script and both are printed here in "chocolate" ink though they could be printed in two colors of course. 


The text is deeply letterpressed into the world famous Somerset soft cotton paper which yields the best result of any paper we have seen and also has a lovely rich texture.


The wonder of this artwork is the detail as you can see from the close up the tapestry weave comes out so strong and clear. 

There is a light letterpress in the pattern too and particularly shows on the border at the top and bottom. Such a shame photography on the web never does justice to the products. 

To have one of these in the hand is to truly appreciate this art-form at its best! 

The pattern here is displayed using our powder blue ink which works very well with the chocolate ink. There's a whole variety of color combinations that would work just as well. 


Of course as with all the Willow Wood Stationery there is a full range of products to go with this invitation style including reply cards, thank you cards, order of service, place tags and many more.



To see this stationery on the website use this link:

Soft and Flowy, Grecian Goddess RULES!



















I've noticed so many more brides these days wanting "lighter" wedding gowns... made from fabrics that are lighter in weight, styling that's softer and more flowing than the traditional corsetry-style gowns, less restrictive construction, and of course - more COMFY!
I guess this need for wedding dresses that don't weigh more than the bride who wears them is due to several reasons:-

a)- Global warming! Who wants to be hot 'n' sweaty on their big day under multiple layers of thich, heavy fabric?
b)- "Bridget Jones" undies - whether we like them or not, the Nancy Ganz-type of super-stretchy shapewear and control lingerie (aka- "foundation lingerie") out on the market these days REALLY WORKS! So it now enables brides to rely less on corsetry in a wedding gown, and gives women the choice of having lighter-weight gowns and much more comfort in the lingerie dept, whilst still getting a great silhouette, flat tummy and nipped-in waist.

c)- Beautiful, soft, flowing gowns using sheer fabrics look SOOOOO romantic, whimsical, elegant and classic... the ethereal "Grecian Goddess" inspired look is definitely here to stay, as seen at every glamorous Awards ceremony this year... and you DON'T have to be a size 6 to rock this look!





I recently did a fabulous photo shoot to showcase my Grecian-inspired Couture bridal gowns... & as you can see, we created some beautiful looks on the day! Big thanks to the super-talented team that worked hard to create these images with me on a Sunday afternoon- Dario Gardiman the photographer, Simone and Claire the fab make-up artists, Jack the hair stylist and our gorgeous models Alicia and Zara - stay tuned as these images (and more) will shortly be appearing in more detail on my website, too!


ciao, xx lisa