Joanne Fleming Design: Femmes Fatale and French Fancies......

The results of the recent shoot.....a selection of JFD styles shot by Jacqui McSweeney Photography, with styling by Lauren Eva, and the services of a great team....full credits at the end of the post.

First up is 'Christine', a glamorous full length design in superweight silk crepe-back satin. The draped neckline sits wide on the shoulders, and dips into a 'V' at the back, which fastens with a silk rouleau loop-and-button closure. The waistline and shoulders are embellished with an art-deco inspired beading design; the combination of silvery sequins, bugle beads, and monte Swarovski crystals are worked directly onto the fabric surface, retaining the suppleness and flexibility of the silk underneath. Fully lined in silk crepe-de-chine, the skirt extends in to a sinuous train.....

Also in the superweight silk crepe-back satin, 'Bacall' is a floor length gown with a minimal extension. Unadorned, the gorgeous fabric really does the work here, alongside the flatteringly elegant cut. A lightly padded shoulderline and deep V neckline lend a 1940s feel to this style.....

'Aphrodite' is for the Grecian Goddess bride..... silk chiffon forms the sheer overskirt, with a silk crepe-back satin underskirt. A separate halterneck bodice is heavily embellished with hand applied crystals and rows and rows of silvery bugle beads. The hem of the bodice and skirt are decorated with tiny twinkly Swarovski crystals....

Aphrodite is seen here with the 'Mitsou' ostrich feather stole, which is lined with silk satin, and fastened with trailing silk ties.....

'Pæony'. A simple slip dress shape, with ultra-low back and small trail, this design uses the lightest cobweb beaded lace over silk crepe-back satin for the main body of the dress, and is then appliquéd with beaded flowers which are embroidered with silvery metallic thread. The full beauty of the lace and appliqué embellishment can really be seen to full effect in the matching Pæony shawl....

The softest French lace is used to create the 'Elodie' design, a drop-waisted 1920s inspired style combining a delicate lace over-dress with a separate silk satin bias-cut under-dress. The hip-band and back floating lace panel are embellished with silk organza rosettes and silvery beaded fringe detail.....

'Delilah' is another design that has a 1920s feel... the silk crepe-back satin is washed to give it a wonderful peach-skin softness, and the dress is in two parts; a drop-waisted over-dress with beaded lace insert and side drape is worn over a long bias-cut under-dress.....but could also be worn over a knee-length silk slip for a sassy flapper look (for the evening Charleston maybe?).....

Slinky, sexy 'Nathalie'; bias cut superweight silk crepe-back satin, caught up to one hip, and with a beaded inset lace hem for extra weight and swing. The back is the feature here.....a low satin drape frames the lace inset back, and is weighted with a hand made beaded and feather tassel....

We also got to shoot the first few styles of the new collection of what I'm calling my 'French Fancies'.....tea-length styles in ivory and tinted French lace. I have been mixing up some dyes to create a range of gorgeous subtle shades.....here are the initial designs, but there are more to follow!

Gypsy; a halter neck design with boned bodice in a beautiful sparkly flower embellished organza....with a silk tulle, feather trimmed shrug....

'Champagne and Roses'; a sheer design, in hand dyed French lace over ivory silk organza, designed to be worn over a nude silk slip to preserve the light transparent feel. The lace motifs towards the top of the circular skirt are hand placed to follow the shape of the waist....

'Ashes of Roses' describes this soft pink-with-a-touch-of-grey design, layered over ivory silk organza and dupion for a more structured look.....

'Peppermint Cream'.....a mouth-watering hand tinted pale green French lace over matching green silk organza and ivory silk dupion.....

'Arsenic and Old Lace' is a sophisticated French grey shade of lace, over sheer pewter silk organza, and worn over a nude silk slip....seen here with 'Champagne and Roses'