** Love My Dress readers who place an order prior to the end of September 2012 will be entitled to a 20% discount and a complimentary ring pillow and wedding pouch from Katherine Feiel, which matches their gown **
I do so love to discover new designers in bridal wear, people doing something a little different from the norm, folk offering something fresh and beautiful, especially when the designer is also taking care to ensure their products are as eco-friendly as possible.
I recently came across Katherine Feiel, a designer located on a beautiful island off the coast of Canada's Novia Scotia. Novia Scotia? I guess many of my UK readers might be asking why I'm blogging about a designer who lives thousands of miles away? But you see, wedding blogs and online market places like Etsy Weddings have made it easy for brides and consumers to shop online from anywhere in the world these days with comfort and ease and as a blogger, I feel passionately about supporting and raising the profile of talented artisan crafts people and designers like Katherine Feiel – people who don't have whacking great advertising budgets but are pouring their heart and passion into creating beautiful things none-the-less.
Raised by a textile artist, Katherine spent her childhood learning creative and technical sewing skills, designing and sewing clothes for herself, her family and friends. This developed into a love of costume and subsequently, Katherine spent a few years designing costumes before she discovered a passion for wedding and special occasion gowns. Katherine now spends her days creating whimsical and delicate lace designs which she ships to brides who appreciate genuine artisan craftsmanship, on a worldwide scale….
"My name is Katherine Feiel and I design and sew bespoke wedding gowns, working individually with brides to create the gown of their dreams.
Each gown is sewn using their exact measurements and is fully guaranteed for perfect fit without alterations or fittings…."
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2012, Katherine Feiel
Katherine collects vintage fabrics: beaded silks and wools, tapestries, handmade laces and vintage wedding gowns, using these discarded gems to create new pieces. She finds many beautifully beaded garments with an outdated cut. Instead of discarding, she gives this fabric new life by incorporating it into one of her designs.
All of Katherine Feiel's gowns are bespoke, which is a tradition of custom tailoring which uses the exact measurements of the clients body and requires no fittings or alterations.
Katherine believes that fashion should be ethical and only buys fairly traded products when purchasing raw materials from developing nations. Each gown is sewn by her and becomes a labor of love, some taking many weeks because of the detail and work involved. Katherine also actively endorses healthy beauty practices for all members of the fashion industry and believes healthy mind and body are the most beautiful of all…
Where are you located and where do you ship to?
"I am located on a little island off the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada and I securely ship worldwide using UPS. I have developed a system of measuring clients over the telephone, which allows me to set up a mannequin which is an exact replica of their body. I use this to sew all my gowns and I guarantee perfect fit and beauty…"
Simply beautiful Gilded Lily design…
"This gown is made of champagne satin silk with a gold lace overskirt trailing behind. Delicate gold trim and jewel pieces adorn collar and belt…"
I adore this beautiful Queen's Anne's Lace design too…
"This gown has an under dress of satin silk which is covered in lace, splitting in the front. Full lace sleeves are tight to the elbow and fall below in generous gathers…"
How did you get into wedding dress design?
"I apprenticed with a company, Fairy Fashion for many years and eventually purchased the business in 2007, at which time I created my own line of wedding gowns, www.katherinefeiel.com…"
The stunning Meadowsweet Veil {also above}…
"This lace veil attaches to the hair with a comb, flows down the back and ends in a four foot train edged in a lace ruffle. The transparency of the lace reveals the gown beneath and offers a gentle touch to any bridal ensemble…"
What do you love about your work?
"I love my clients! Because my boutique is strictly an internet boutique my clients need to put a lot of trust in me and my capabilities, as they are ordering something as important as a wedding gown from an image. I take this responsibility very seriously, spending ample time with each to establish their wishes, sending fabric swatches and sketches, and sewing each gown myself to be sure that it will be absolutely perfect.
Because of this high level of service and quality I am only able to make 20-30 gowns per year, treating each as a work of art…"
The Angelica dress…
What inspires you when it comes to your work? Are there any artists or designers you particularly admire?
"I love beautiful, quality fabrics: the way they feel in my hands and the difference they make to the look of a gown. I love heavily beaded silks and laces and turning these into corsets or bodices.
My studio is on an island, off the coast of Nova Scotia, and I am inspired daily by the beauty which surrounds me.
I admire so many designers, there are so many beautiful gowns out there! I appreciate designers who understand the technical aspects of garment making as I think it makes them better at understanding the design possibilities available to them…"
More of the divine Queen's Anne's Lace design and Meadowsweet Veil…
How would you describe your signature style?
"My brides are trusting souls who recognise quality and beauty. I don't really have a signature style as my gowns are all made to satisfy the unique wishes of different women. They are all really one of a kind, no two are alike, but most have very intricate details…"
The stunning Poppy Dress, with the Meadowsweet Veil…
If you weren't a designer, what would you be?
"I'd have a beautiful vineyard with a cellar full of the most wonderful red wine and people would flock to me for tastings. That would be fun…"
Katherine Feiel designs are available for between $2,000 and $4,000 {£1,276 – £2,552}. To take advantage of the 20% offer detailed at the top of this feature, please contact Katherine Feiel via her website and mention 'Love My Dress'. You can also discover many more beautiful designs via Katherine's website on her 'Collections' page.
Alternatively you can email Katherine Feiel on [email protected], and you can find Katherine Feiel on Facebook and Twitter too.
Much love all,
Annabel
This is a sponsored feature – all my sponsors receive an introductory feature like this. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email [email protected] and request a media pack.
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
