Something Old + Something New

At the beginning of 2015, one night I was surfing through Facebook and saw that another friend of mine was engaged. That very moment I messaged Amanda requesting that I make her wedding dress. To my absolute surprise she immediately said yes! Amanda would be my 4th custom wedding dress. 

Amanda's Dress Design

Amanda and her mother met me at my parents home for our consultation. We sat at the dining room table to discus the dress plans, go over the design and take measurements. I talked about my design degree, love of art and future plans to have an office space to meet with clients. I was still very very new at this "custom thing". 

She had one request, that the dress accentuate her grandmother's necklace that she will be wearing on her wedding day. In the dress design I made sure to make the neckline a focal point. I loved the idea of the necklace being something old, while her dress would be something new.

Amanda and I have known each other for many years. We were on dance team together in high school. Upon completion of high school, I was even her dance coach for year as I was deciding what I wanted to "be" when I "grew up". We had a sort of history, but more of teacher/student relationship, until we embarked on the custom adventure of designing the dress of her dreams. 

Fitting in her Mother's Living Room

If Amanda would have asked me 17 yrs ago to make her wedding dress, I would have laughed because I didn't even know how to sew that well. 

We held a dress fitting in her mother's living room. This was kind of fun, to bring the dress to her and fit in the comfort of her mother's home. I still didn't have a space to call my own. And I couldn't put the dress making on hold, I had a deadline to meet. 

I feel in love with this dress. It was different from the typical wedding dress. Simple satin, no train, side seam pockets and a belt (my signature). Amanda and I collaborated on the design and added a left front slit with peekaboo lace underlay. Also created a lace back with hand beaded trim and covered buttons.

Fitting in my old bedroom

We held the final fitting in my old bedroom at my parent's home. (so I thought it was the final fitting) When I saw the final dress on my dear friend, I cried. As I have stated in previous blog posts, I didn't realize how sappy I am! Seeing my friends in a design that we collaborated on, pulls at my heart. 

Amanda had picked up the dress after our fitting and I thought, that was that with the dress. 

At the end of 2015, I informed Amanda that I finally found a space and it wasn't just a little office. This space is a showroom with huge windows. I asked her if I could put her dress on display in my window for the grand opening in February 2016. She said yes without hesitation. She allowed me to put her unworn wedding dress in my storefront. She has no idea how much that meant to me. 

I had my two favorite dresses in my storefront for the grand opening. Ironically both friend's are named Amanda. It was destined to happen!

Amanda was with me through the ups and downs of finding a space and my small business growing. I decided that I wanted to have a final fitting at the showroom with her mother present as well. It was such a neat moment to have her walk out of the fitting room and onto the platform. Amanda the beautiful bride doesn't realize the confidence she had given me as a bridal designer.

@ the SHEILA FRANK showroom

Through this experience I would consider Amanda a close friend and have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know her and her family. xo Sheila 

Mr. & Mrs. 06.25.16

Reconstruct + Restyle

In 2013 my beautiful friend Amanda who has always been very supportive of me as a designer, asked me to make her wedding dress. At the time, I was hesitant because I wasn't a custom designer. I was a ready to wear designer where I would create collections to sell. My fiance (now husband) and I purchased our first home and I was ready to take a break from fashion to work on renovations. BUT Amanda is my dear friend and well I couldn't say no, or pass up an opportunity to work with her.

Amanda gave me a dress that was given to her never worn and asked me to redesign and create something new. The idea of cutting up a brand new dress scared me. How could I make this already beautiful dress even better? I decided to us the bodice of the dress for the bodice pattern, which fit Amanda perfectly. I changed the ball gown style to a slimmer more 1940's hollywood feel.

I found a mauve lining and a thick crochet gold lace that pair perfectly together. The end result was a sort of beautiful simple glamour. We held fittings in her bedroom and at the last fitting I hand sewed buttons and the bustle on her bed. It is an awesome memory for me.

3 years later at the opening of my showroom, Amanda allowed me to put her dress on display in the store front window. This meant a lot to me considering is a dear friend an a long time supporter of my business. Amanda had watched me grow as a designer. She even knitted red scarves for me back in 2010 for a collection I showed at the FGI (Fashion Group International) Building (across from Bryant Park) during Fashion Week in NYC.

I adore you Amanda, thank you for allowing me to be apart of your day. xo Sheila

What is Bespoke Bridal?

Mother's Wedding Dress circa 1980

Bespoke clothing is custom-made clothing. It is not made to measure, as featured by many good clothing vendors. A made-to-measure item is a standard one customized at the factory in certain measurements and details. Bespoke is made from scratch to your specifications. Basically Bespoke is a fancy word for Custom.

In 2015 I was approached by a gal I met a few years ago to design a wedding gown for her friend, Jessica. When I met Jessica, I was really excited, she would be my first client that I didn't know personally. As an entrepreneur this was amazing to me. Jessica had a few specifications. The most important was sleeves and to incorporate her mothers wedding dress into the design.

Jessica gave me artistic freedom to design the dress of her dreams. For people that know me, they know how much I love trains on gowns. For this particular design, I wanted to make a statement. It was certainly a lot of dress. This also was a great learning experience for me regarding timeline for something so grand.


We had almost a year to execute this gown, which was nice for me to take my time. It reminded me of college, how I approached Jessica's gown. I decided to use Pinterest as a form of communication as well, here Jessica could pin things she liked, and as I worked on parts/ steps of the construction, I would upload photos to our private pinterest board to keep her in the loop. 

Muslin Fitting

We changed the design from an Aline silhouette to more of a trumpet. I am partial to the aline fit, however on Jessica's slim figure the trumpet was a showstopper.

We added the belt from her mother's dress and created a new belt for her look. We also found a lace that  we didn't even realize until I brought it back to the studio, was almost the exact match of her mothers!

At the beginning of our work together, I was still using my old bedroom in my parent's home as a place to hold consultations and fittings. Within that year, I realized the potential and growth of my business and opened the showroom. Jessica was patient and flexible as I was working on her gown and planning the opening of the showroom.  

Jessica was my first fitting in the new space which was awesome to experience that with her. I had such a great time working with Jessica. 

Thank You Jessica for allowing me to be apart of your day! xo Sheila

progress

fitting in the old space

fitting in the new space

waiting for Jessica to walk in for final fitting

Harper Ever After

2011 @ our friend's wedding.

At the Grand Opening of the showroom, I had a giveaway where ladies entered to win the dress of their dreams. I was thrilled to announce my good friend Amber was the winner! How cool is this?! The only thing was... she was getting married in 4 months, already had her wedding dress and needless to say, I was already booked with clients.

I was nervous and excited but more nervous because I was worried about our timeline. Amber scheduled her consultation with me, and was one of my first clients at the new showroom. At our consultation Amber informed me that she already had her wedding gown. She had asked me to create 2 dresses that were completely different. One of them would be for her rehearsal (which we would name the Amber dress) and one for the reception (which we would call the Harper dress).

Muslin Fitting

I met Amber a few years ago through our then boyfriends (now husbands). Amber is kind and generous and pretty easy going. She is the life of the party, so I knew working with her would be such a wonderful and fun experience.

At our consultation Amber told me a few things she wanted but left it up to be to have full artistic freedom. It was so much fun to work with Amber, sometimes fittings can be stressful because some clients aren't sure of what they want, too picky or have expectations for a design that isn't achievable within their budget.

The best part about working with a friend, is that I am apart of their special day. It is terribly embarrassing that I cry during our fittings. I didn't realize how much of an emotional person I am. I pour my heart and soul into each dress and so when I see a friend wearing something I made for them, it just pulls at my heart.

2nd Fitting (almost complete!!)

The icing on the cake for me is when I am invited to attend the wedding day of my bride-friend. I always look at the groom's face for approval, that is how I know, it is a job well done. The wedding was held on June 6, 2016 at the Moonstone Manor in Elizabethtown, PA. It was such a beautiful ceremony and gorgeous setting.

They had a drink named the Harperita. Amber did a great job planning her day. I loved her take on the guest book. She had paper mache letters spelling out LOVE, where guests where instructed to sign with a sharpie. The photo booth was an awesome touch. And the food stations where unique to the couple consisting of taco bar, pasta bar and a carving station. I don't think the dance floor was ever empty. It was a such a great time.

Thank You Amber and Brent for allowing me to be apart of your special day. xo Sheila

SHEILA FRANK SHOWROOM

Fashion Design Classes in Central Pennsylvania

SHEILA FRANK is proud to announce our Fashion Design Program! Sewing, Pattern Making and Design Classes begin this Summer 2016.

Central PA will soon become a fashion hot spot.

SUMMER CLASSES

Sewing 101 (4 weeks; 12 course hours $180)

Machine threading and operation, Textile construction and selection, Pattern layout and cutting techniques, Seaming and topstitching, Applying interfacing, Incorporating a lining, Zipper installation, Attaching hardware (snaps, D-rings)

Sewing 201 (4 weeks; 12 course hours $180)

Prerequisite Sewing 101

Introduction to pattern size charts and choosing an appropriate size, Pattern layout and cutting on-grain, Seam finishes (you will develop a portfolio of seam finishes), Neckline finishes: bias binding or facing applications, Hemming

Pattern 101 / Cut and Sew (4 weeks; 12 course hours $200)

Understanding how to read a pattern and lay out fabric to cut and sew. This class will have the student sew the garment from a store bought pattern.

Pattern 201 / Pattern Manipulation (4 weeks; 12 course hours $200)

Prerequisite Pattern 101

Using a store bought pattern the student will learn to change the silhouette and design something truly unique. This class will have the student sew the garment from a manipulated store bought pattern.

Click here to Book a Class.

FALL FASHION DESIGN CLASS SNEAK PEAK:

Intro to Fashion (6 weeks; 18 course hours $375)

You will be introduced to the world of fashion through the exploration of trends and designers. Also learn about haute couture and ready-to-wear. Also journey through the history of fashion and learn terminology of fashion through the ages.  

Fashion Concepts & Illustration (8 weeks; 24 course hours $485)

Develop a visual fashion collection through the exploration of history, trends and fashion designers. Start with a sketchbook to express your ideas and learn to illustrate the traditional fashion figure to create a collection board/ mood board and a finished portfolio illustration.

Concept to Construction (12 weeks; 36 course hours $565)

Prerequisite Pattern 301

The foundation of the design process is pattern drafting and garment construction. Learn how to draft and adjust a basic sloper pattern, fit muslin and choose the right fabric for your garment. 

Fashion Portfolio Prep (12 weeks ; 36 course hours $565)

Students will design 6-8 Collections. Each Collection will derive from an Inspiration/Mood Board, Design Illustrations, Flat Drawing, and Fabric Swatches. This class will have a Juried exhibition at the Sheila Frank Showroom. This is great preparation for College interviews!

Childhood Memories

I am originally from Upper Darby, Pennsylvania (outside Philadelphia), where in my younger years I attended Catholic School. I dreamed of being a ballerina wearing gorgeous costumes.

I never imagined I would become a fashion designer, especially with my lace of fashion sense, wearing the same uniform daily. I would express my creativity by drawing ball gowns on notebook paper. Looking at the sketches now I noticed a Victorian theme, that is present in my design style today.

I like most young girls, butchered my Barbie's beautiful blonde hair trying to create cool look with crayola markers. I would also make outfits out of toilet paper and tape. But who was I kidding, I wasn't Channel.

In 1997 my family and I moved from Upper Darby to Central Pennsylvania (2 hours away). Back then we didn't have cell phones, laptops, etc at our disposal to keep in contact. I remember in 1998 we got our first computer which was in the family room, where we could be monitored. My siblings and I would fight over the dial-up connection so that we can talk with friends on AOL Instant Messenger. Unfortunately I lost touch with most of my classmates.

I take a big gulp ... uttering this next sentence. Nearly 20 yrs later ( TWO DECADES!) I have reconnected with my childhood friends through the power of Face Book. Where would we all be without social media? My childhood best friend Kim-Loan reached out with an amazing request after I informed her ... What I do!





We took her wedding dress and created a new design for her daughter Juliana's First Holy Communion.

I was so thrilled to be apart of this special project. It meant a lot to me, because Kim-Loan and I received our First Holy Communion together. Through this process we reminisced about the past. I was reminded of the fun, silly innocence of our youth. True friendship without drama.

I am happy that we reconnected, happy for social media to make it possible. I hope that Juliana passes this dress on to her future daughter and so on.

Thank You Kim-Loan and Juliana for allowing me to be apart of your special day. xo Sheila

*Special thanks to Nicole (Alterations Specialist w/ Sheila Frank) for your help on this project. 

There are enough hours in the day. I love my team!