'The Grand Sophy'.....full length embellished black lace and silk taffeta ballgown

Sequin embellished black lace and silk taffeta ballgown by Joanne Fleming Design

This really is a grand design, and won't be to everyone's taste....but every now and again I like to indulge my inner goth and have a play with whatever I find under the cutting table. This time it was a roll of the most sumptuous black lace, heavily embellished with irridescent bronze sequins. I tried overlaying it on a few different rolls of silk, and toyed with the idea of a nude or pastel satin....but in the end I just loved the richness of this bitter-chocolate silk taffeta....it provides enough of a contrast to really display the intricacy of the overlay, but works with the opulence of the lace to very dramatic effect.

Hope you enjoy!

Black lace and sequin full skirted evening gown by Joanne Fleming Design

Black lace evening gown for the red carpet, by Joanne Fleming Design

Embellished lace grand ballgown by Joanne Fleming Design

Black lace long sleeved red carpet ballgown by Joanne Fleming Design

'But what to wear over such a dress?' I hear you ask. Luckily I have just the thing....this silk velvet and ostrich feather 'Karenina' fitted peplum jacket in inky black.....

Velvet and ostrich feather jacket with black lace ballgown, by Joanne Fleming Design

And the name, 'The Grand Sophy'? Well it's the title of a novel by my favourite 'guilty pleasure' author, Georgette Heyer......completely era-inappropriate, but what the hell, it just seems to fit....