Love & Light

I met Leah through my wonderful friend Georgeanne.
When Georgeanne recommended me, to Leah my heart was full. Georgeanne is a light like no other, so I knew working with her friend would be a beautiful experience.

Leah wanted a bohemian inspired no frills dress. She had a few ideas in mind and allowed me to take full artistic freedom in the design to the fabric selection. It was pretty neat because I must say she was my first client that let me 100% lead the way. Every suggestion, her response was a yes.

I did things a little differently with Leah in the beginning. We couldn't design on the silhouettes, so I cut a few different skirts and bodices and we basically played paper dolls, trying on different pieces to see what they would look like on her shape. Dressing the female form is always different for each woman. I wish all clothing stores had the option of having an in-house tailor to fit your clothing for you. It certainly would make the art of dressing a lot less stressful and more exciting!

This dress is one of my favorites for sure because of it's Victorian/ Edwardian inspiration. I didn't want to go in the hippie direction of boho, rather touch on historical vibes. The silhouette has a scoop neck to show off Leah's beautiful collar bones,  with flutter sleeves and a bodice over lay. The skirt is empire/ with a fitted a line, princess seams and a small train.

I just love this dress. I especially loved seeing Leah's face light up when she put the final dress on.
Thank You Leah for allowing me to be apart of your day. XO Sheila

All that Sass

Let's talk about Maureen. This lady contacted me when I was still working out of my home studio. I posted  a profile on wedding.com which is similar to wedding wire and the knot, as a vendor seeking custom clients. I was still building my business and she booked me well in advance, a year in advance! It was pretty cool that she had faith in me just seeing my online profile.

Maureen was one of my very first out of town clients. This was exciting to me as a small business owner because the company name was reaching furtherer then I would have imagined in just 1 year of being a custom designer.

At our first appointment I knew she was going to be fun. She brought with her a few friends to join her in the process. They had me laughing the entire time.

We started with one design, and must have changed it a million times. She then spotted the Katrina Dress, from my SS2016 Collection that was in the window. She fell in love with the modern lace design and wanted to incorporate it into her dress. And of course I had to put the dress on her!! She loved the high waist full skirt with train. Did I mention we were supposed to be making a short beachy dress?

That is the beauty of customizing a dress. Sometimes the design will change between appointments because we have new and exciting ideas that look even better then what we planned at the original consultation.

We agreed on this beautiful cross over front empire style bodice with a deep v back. The high waist of the skirt accentuated her figure and we added a thigh high slit on the front princess seam.

Maureen even swung by the showroom when she was in the area just to surprise me with coffee. A client turned friend, how great is that! Thank you Maureen for allowing me to be apart of your day :) xo Sheila

An Irish Blessing

I met Lindsay awhile back through her fiancé who was my then co-worker. I admit, I harassed her quit a bit about making her a custom wedding dress. We then discussed the opportunity to work on a dress for her daughter and mother. How awesome! I love making dresses for wedding parties!

Lindsay has a cool style of vixen and vintage. We went with a stretch lace (which is super popular amongst my clients right now), fitted silhouette with train and drapey sleeves.

The photos do no justice, for the color! It was a beige with silver foil on the lace. Lindsay was a knockout!  I used the same fabrics to create her daughter Roan's adorable dress.

And for her mom, Michelle I found a matching lace type in a different color. We kept going back and forth on color and design. In the end we added a ruffle to the skirt. Her silhouette had a nice wide band to balance the proportions. 3/4 lace sleeves, buttons up the back and a small train. Michelle looked gorgeous! Thank You all for allowing me to be apart of your day. xo Sheila

Mother of the Bride

Flower Girl

Lindsay and her boys

Lindsay's side of the family looking awesome

Lindsay and Chris

Hunting for her Love

Dorothy came to me with a simple request of a custom camo dress. I did my research to see what was out there in regards to using camo as part of a wedding dress and I wasn't really into it. I knew that I would have to infuse my aesthetic with that of my clients wishes to really be something she would love. I immediately sent her a sketch showing the mossy oak camo on the bodice with beading a full tulle layered skirt. She would be a woodsy goddess.

Dorothy was open to my opinions and gave me full artistic freedom. There were a few changes from the sketch. Empire style with tulle pleating on the bodice and added a beautiful train and veil to match.

Each appointment with Dorothy and her Aunt were so much fun. They had me laughing the entire time! It was such a pleasure to work with you Dorothy! You are gorgeous. xo Sheila

Close-Up of bodice

Walking down the isle

During last fitting

Beautiful Dorothy

Break-Dance your way into 2017

I met Aly in 2016 when I was working at my full time desk job. She is a friend of one of my good friends, client and now Brand Ambassador Amanda.  Working with Aly was a really fun experience. She is silly but serious, energetic and well not like any of the other brides I worked with.

Aly came to me with an idea of a dress that she couldn't find. Crew neck with long sleeves. A slim silhouette with a train but nothing puffy under it. An interesting back but nothing too flashy. Stretch lace with soft lining so that she could dance and possibly break dance in the dress. I had my work cut out for this no frills bride. Oh and she hadn't even tried on one single wedding dress.

At our second meeting which was her muslin (cotton fabric which is how you fit the garment for the actual fabric) fitting, Aly decided to break-dance on the platform. She wanted to make sure her dress would flow with her moves. I had to remind her that the muslin fabric was a little bit stiffer and not stretchy like the lace her dress would be constructed out of. She cracked me up at every appointment.

I really had a great time working with Aly and so happy that Amanda recommended me!  She allowed me to offer suggestions and we were both really pleased with the outcome. The stretch lace fabric has small sequins in it, which glittered as she danced the night away.

Ali wearing the gown in the showroom.

Close up of the back of the dress

SHEILA FRANK announces fashion styling with Bollywood Star

Actress Evelyn Sharma + Designer Sheila Frank

SHEILA FRANK announces fashion styling with Bollywood Star from Mumbai, India to be showcased at the 65^th Annual National Prayer Breakfast

WASHINGTON, D.C. February 2^nd, 2017-- Evelyn Sharma, Bollywood Star and Founder of Seams for Dreams, has requested to wear SHEILA FRANK’s gowns and dresses for a prestigious event. The event is the 65^th Annual National Prayer Breakfast. The event will be led by the President of the United States, as well as attendees by worldwide government leaders and officials from 140 countries.

Evelyn Sharma is also the founder of Seams for Dreams, a non-profit, fashion charity organization based in Mumbai, India. It is their belief that fashion can empower people. Their business objective is to clothe over 100,000 per year. For more insight on Seams for Dreams, please visit their website at www.seamsfordreams.com.

Giving back is a huge part of the Sheila Frank brand. In June 2015, she launched the campaign #BUYateeGIVEonefree. When you purchase a Sheila Frank tee, it will be donated to someone in need. This once in a lifetime opportunity stays true to the Sheila Frank mission; help others in need.

“I always wanted to help, but was not sure how I should go about it, I wanted to use my fame and popularity for a cause.”

— Evelyn Sharma

Evelyn wearing the powdered blue jacket

“We have chosen your brand as we would like to promote sustainable fashion and we understand that your brand is one of the few in the world which promotes this. We look forward to showcase the sustainable gowns and dresses during this important event and Evelyn would be glad to wear them in her public appearances in India and in Europe as well and be able to promote your brand at the same time on press, partner networks and on social.”

—Seams for Dreams International Marketing Director

About SHEILA FRANK

SHEILA FRANK is a fashion designer for ladies of all shapes and sizes. Sheila especially loves to design unconventional bridal gowns for the gal that wants something a little different. Sheila began her design career in ready to wear and has most recently transitioned into bridal.

Established in 2008, our small company is based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. United States. We create made-to-order garments with a heavy emphasis on design, fit, and quality. Each garment is handmade at our Mechanicsburg location. For more information, please visit http://sheilafrank.net/

Press Contact: Emily Gladden

Phone: (800) 743-2560 x 3

Mobile: (717) 650-9828

Email: emily@sheilafrank.com

2017 Here We Come!!

JAN/FEB 2017 BRIDES UK

Where are in the middle of January and totally forgot to make our new year announcements!! Where has the time gone!??

I must say, we started it off right being asked to be in the Jan/Feb 2017 issues of BRIDES Magazine. The UK's No. 1 Best-Selling Bridal Magazine. We were thrilled to be apart of this magazine just two months after being in their sister magazine VOGUE.

We love the UK and are pretty excited to be in their magazines.

This past year we created a Brand Ambassador program and have 10 amazing people leading the way to be the face of SHEILA FRANK. More information to come on this program and what we are doing to spread the word about our mission both stateside and international.

Louis Frank (Sheila's Dad), Sheila Kauffman (Designer),
Katie Andreano
(Manager of Communications,Bethesda Mission)

At the end of 2016 we donated 51 tee shirts to our local charity of choice, Bethesda Mission. Continuing with our program But a tee Give one Free. We hope to make this number sky rocket for 2017.

We received The Knot 2017 Best of Weddings and Wedding Wire's Couple's Choice 2017 Awards. We can't thank our beautiful clients enough. We are so grateful that you love us as much as we love you!!

We are approaching our 1 year Anniversary of the showroom. This elated feeling is beyond words. 

2017 is going to be a fantastic one for us and can't wait to tell you more.

xo Sheila