S/S 2017 Collection - SHEILA FRANK

With the whirlwind that has been this year, we decided to create a capsule collection. I call this more of a ready - to - wear bridal. This collection is for the no frills bride with easy pieces. This is just a taste of what is to come. The collection is also available to purchase as made - to - order. 

To see the full collection available for purchase please visit: http://sheilafrank.bigcartel.com/category/bridal

Strike a Pose there is nothing to it - Vogue

In November we are to express gratitude and be thankful. I am extremely thankful for my beautiful clients, friends and family for this passed year. 

This November has been a great month so far. The label was published in British Vogue. We were informed that we received an award from The Knot for 2017 Best in Weddings and have a local fashion show in two days. There is so much more to come. This is just the beginning. Opening the showroom 9 months ago has been the best decision I ever made! I am so thankful for the love and support from my clients, friends and family. 

Thanks for always believe in me at times when I didn't believe in myself. xo Sheila

Enchanted Forest

The past 8 months have gone by so fast, especially when I get to work with friends. Creating custom designs for people that I enjoy, can't really be called work, can it?

Sample Fitting

Cara and I met while I worked in the corporate world, I remember telling her what I do and we talked about the possibility of me designing her dress when the time would come. I left my corporate job in April 2016 and 2 months later Cara reached out to see if I was available to make her dream dress. The catch... we had less the 4 months to make it, needless to say I was already overbooked! 

Excited at the design idea and to work with a friend, I said yes! I immediately got Cara in the book for our consultation and started fabric shopping. Cara requested a dotted-swiss fabric, which she didn't know until the sample fitting, that the fabric she choose was the exact fabric her mother had for her wedding dress. I love when this happens! 

Working with Cara was an absolute dream. She is down to earth and totally gets my goofy humor. 

Our other old co-worker and friend Stephanie from Philter Photography shot the wedding. Stephanie captured the essence of Cara's magical day which looked something like an enchanted forest. The nuptials took place in the woods of her childhood home. This is such a unique idea. The images are absolutely stunning and Cara is breath-taking. You can see the love between Cara and Matt. A love like theirs undeniable.

I had so much fun working with you Cara. 

Thank You for allowing me to be apart of your beautiful day. xo Sheila

Philter Photo

Philter Photo

A Fairytale Wedding

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful kind-hearted, down to earth girl planning to wed her prince. I met Tara and her mother Cheryl years ago, as I was Tara's boss at a previous job. I remember speaking with Cheryl in the past about designing Tara's wedding dress, we began the conversation a little over  year go. Tara fell ill with a rare cancer and was forced to put the wedding planning on hold.

Muslin Fitting

With the love and support of Tara's family, friends and her prince,  she fought hard and survived her battle with cancer. Cheryl and I talked a lot,  about creating the dress of Tara's dreams.  She deserved something really special.

When Tara was in remission, her grandmother suddenly passed away.

Tara had a special request for me, to include her grandmother's dress into the design. I often love the idea of up-cycling something old, creating something new. I am obsessed with anything vintage.

Tara's Grandmother

The idea of including her grandmother into the design, tugged at my heart.

Tara is a lover of Disney, which made the design process pretty easy. We brain-stormed and came up with the most beautiful Princess dress. Throughout the whole process, we talked about Cheryl's mother/ Tara's grandmother. We laughed, cried, joked, reminisced. As the days, weeks, months went on in the construction process, I was nervous because I could only wish and hope that Tara's grandmother would approve of the dress for her granddaughter.

Utilizing Tara's grandmother's dress, I cut the bodice from the skirt and beaded the entire lace bodice. I also took the hanging straps from the inside of the dress to give Tara spaghetti straps and used the covered buttons from the original dress to put on the back of the new design. Lastly I created an applique for the hip from the original lace.

We also decided to create a dress for Cheryl that complemented her mother's jewelry that she would wear on Tara's big day. I literally was beading the dress, 2 days before the wedding day.

Tara & Cheryl

Tara & Evan

I am so pleased with the outcome of both custom dresses. 

This will definitely be a project to remember for all of us. 

Thank You Tara and Cheryl for allowing me to be apart of your day. XO Sheila

Hello August

How is it the end of August already? We have been burning the midnight oil completing patterns, muslin samples and actual gowns for fittings. At the beginning of last week, Sheila announced some exciting news to her family and friends... Sheila is now 100% self-employed. It is a scary, exciting, crazy feeling. We are ready to take it to the next level!

We participated in a photo shoot for Fab You Bliss and had the opportunity to work with an amazing team. Check out the link: http://fabyoubliss.com/2016/08/15/whimsical-vintage-newport-wedding-style/

After yesterday's long day of fittings (8 clients), we realized that THIS is it. We reviewed our schedule for the next few months into next year and are completely humbled by the requests for custom (and alterations).

As we work on our current client projects, we are also planning a fashion show which will take place Saturday November 12th @ the Carlisle, PA Expo Center during an event named The Women's Expo. Our focus is to promote past and present works featuring models of all shapes and sizes.

More info to come on this as we finalize details. In the meantime, you can check out other link.
http://www.agreatwaytospendmyday.com/

Heart of Gold

2009 Downtown Harrisburg, PA

I met Amanda in 2009, when I was her boss at Wet Seal. Yes you heard that correct. I was an assistant manager in retail for a few years before and after receiving my BFA in Fashion Design. I enjoyed going to work especially when it was a day that Amanda would be working with me.

Amanda is one of the kindest most generous ladies I have ever met. She has a heart of gold. Even though I was her boss she really was only a few years younger then me so we became instant friends. I remember the day at work when I told her I met a guy who is now my husband. Amanda helped me pick out my outfit for my first date. She must have done a great job, because we are living our happily ever after.

Amanda has always been supportive of me as a designer and would name drop even was I was just dressing mannequins in the windows at the mall. She was always telling customers and friends that I was a designer at times when I didn't believe in myself. I did a fashion show in 2010 at Fashion Group International NYC across from Bryant Park and Amanda was there with friends. It meant a lot to me that she was there. 

Through the years and numerous jobs we have remained friends. She is the type of friend that you don't have to text or call every day, but when you do it is like you never skipped a beat. She is the friend that I want to continue to get to know as we grow older. 

2014 @ my wedding

In 2014, When I found out that Amanda was engaged, I will admit that I harassed her about making her dress. Understandably she went the traditional route of going to a bridal salon and trying on dresses. She fell in love with the dress of her dreams. I wasn't upset, because well I did the same thing!

Amanda asked me to do her alterations of fitting the dress and creating custom accessories. Amanda wanted some bling to her belt. I don't think she realized how much I love hand beading. I created a custom belt for her. The beading was kind of 3-D. 

On the day of Amanda's deadline for the dress alterations, I was literally sewing the belt to the dress at her dining room table. In regards to her alterations I added a bustle and I had to un-bead the sides of the dress, so I could take them in and hand bead everything back on. 5 hours later it was done. A labor of love, I call it.

Amanda and her husband Adam have the most fun loving relationship that anyone could dream of. The way they play off of each other with witty remarks and silly humor is enviable. My husband and I are lucky to call them our friends. Thank you Amanda for having me  be apart of your special day. xo Sheila 

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