20th Century Bride

My journey through collection, restoration, and modernization of vintage wedding gowns. Contact me at: [email protected] @20thcenturybride on Instagram www.deannaturcotte.com https://www.etsy.com/shop/deannaturcotte

[20thcenturybride]

@heyrald captured some truly beautiful moments at our photos hoot yesterday. #clevelandbride #bridalphotography #vintagebride #handmade #greenhouse (at Rockefeller Park Greenhouse)

[20thcenturybride]

At @clevelandflea yesterday- some of the photos of the original brides who wore my redesigned gowns. Contact me for a consultation for a #custom wedding dress or any special occasion dress! #theknot #clevelandwedding #clevelandfashion #cleveland #clevelandflea #vintage #20thcenturybride #handsewn #wedspiration

[20thcenturybride]

Booth 83 @clevelandflea #theknot #clevelandwedding #clevelandfashion #cleveland #clevelandflea #vintage #20thcenturybride #handsewn #wedspiration

[20thcenturybride]

Another round of recently acquired vintage gowns!  

The first gown, Cora, a collared beauty from the 1950s could definitely use some TLC.  Though it has some areas of fraying and rips in the seams, it still has such a sweet charm.  Featuring a neckline of golden lace that is repeated in a ring around the skirt, Cora is a very unique satin gown that has a lot of potential.

The second dress, Edith, is a short cocktail dress possibly from the 60s.  In a lovely cream brocade fabric in a star/flower pattern, she has criss-cross bow details on each shoulder.  This one is in good condition with only a few spots on the skirt.

The third one, Vivian, is truly elegant.  This 50s gown has little flowers lining the neckline and around the skirt and sheer fabric on the decolletage.  The skirt is ivory satin with a sheer overskirt featuring a delicate lace that stretches across the bodice and sleeves.  Honestly this style could easily be worn today without any modifications if it weren’t for the damaged areas.  The underarms are all torn up and the bottom of the skirt is stained.  

Thanks to HydrangeaMilk on Etsy for giving me such a great deal on all three!  I’m really looking forward to working on these lovely ladies.  Also I’d like to make note of my gorgeous new rug that I forgot to move out of the pictures... hopefully it’s not too distracting!  

[20thcenturybride]

Working on Lula's waistband. #beading #handsewn #vintagebridal #clevelandbrides #cleveland #vintage

[20thcenturybride]

Working on Lula #fashion #fashiondesign #sewing #beading #vintage #vintagebridal #1940s #clevelandbrides #cleveland

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Cute as a #button or something. #bridal #clevelandbrides #vintage #vintagebridal #fashion

[20thcenturybride]

Just wanted to share some photos of a few dresses I've collected recently.  The "before" pics.  

The first one, which I've named Flora, has a beautiful satin bodice with sweet little darts and tucks.  The skirt is very tattered netting over a simple lining but has a few salvageable satin flower appliqués.  The back of course has a long line of satin covered buttons.  

The second dress, Bonnie, is very similar to Flora but the focal point on this one is the lovely beaded trompe l'oeil bow on the neckline.  I'm excited to have this dress because it is a bigger size than most of the other dresses I find.  Most are a size 6 or smaller.  These first two ladies are probably from the 1940s.  

The third gown, Cynthia, is a similar style to my recently completed Rosemary.  This 1970s gem is covered in floral lace appliqué on the empire waisted bodice.  She's super tiny.  Couldn't even fasten the buttons on my smallest dressform!

[20thcenturybride]

Just watched The Women, a 1939 film starring #joancrawford #normashearer and #rosalindrussell What a fun movie! I love how the film is in black and white but goes into an elaborate technicolor scene of a fashion show with designs from the iconic Hollywood designer Adrian. Such a lovely surprise! This one was so unique because the whole movie is about husbands and getting divorced but not a single man is shown the entire time. Definitely a must-see. #fashion #1930s #vintagefashion #technicolor #vintagefilm

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Rosemary is complete!  She went from long sleeved and empire waisted to crop top and high waisted skirt combo.  This went very smoothly, probably because there were no holes or stains and the fabric is still quite strong.  This dress is probably about 45 years old, very much 1970s.  I used the fabric from the sleeves to craft the sheer panelling on the chest and right underneath the bust.  I couldn't believe the amount of fabric that was used on this dress.  The sleeves each had about 5 layers!  

Remember Lula? She's next!

[20thcenturybride]

Working on Rosemary... Turning her into a two-piece croptop/skirt combo! Check in at www.20thcenturybride.com #bride #weddingstyle #weddinginspiration #weddingideas #cleveland #clevelandbrides #handmade #vintage #1970s

[20thcenturybride]

Newest #design !! After/Before pics #cleveland #bride #bridal #clevelandbrides #wedding #weddingdress #weddingstyle #fashion #fashiondesign #vintage #vintagefashion

[20thcenturybride]

Evelyn is finally finished!  Hours upon hours of hand sewing and beading… I didn’t realize how intensive the repairs would be when I started this one.  The lace was very badly damaged in some areas.  

The fun part about this dress was how I utilized the fabric that I removed.  I cut off the sleeves but used some of that lace to patch the areas in the bodice that were ripped and frayed.  I also removed the train and shortened the hem to a “tea-length” or mid-calf length.  I then used that excess fabric to craft the bustier that is seen underneath the lace on top.  

Stay tuned for the next remodeled vintage wedding gowns to be revealed in the coming weeks!

[20thcenturybride]

Cutting apart a 60 year old wedding gown is not easy.  There's only one chance so I can't make any mistakes!  Part of the whole process is all about taking a "flawed" garment and making changes based on what I need to cover up.  By flawed I just mean holes, stains, and other signs of wear.  So often my design is dictated by this.  A hole on the shoulder?  Make it a strapless.  Stains all over the skirt?  Either layer a bunch of tulle on top or create a new skirt and use the fabric from the old one for a headpiece or accessory!  There is much fun to be had from working with what you've got.  And when what you've got are some gorgeous vintage gowns with great bones...

[20thcenturybride]

Just finished #sewing on some #sequins but it definitely needs more! Don't want to over do it though, looking for a subtle sparkle to let the #vintage #beauty shine through. #vintagewedding #wedding #weddingdress #weddingstyle #weddinginspiration #fashion #fashiondesign #beading #lace

[20thcenturybride]

Watching #Gilda. Such #beautiful #costume work! #ritahayworth #femmefatale #inspiring #fashion #fashiondesign #vintage #vintagephoto #vintagefilm #film #movie #glamour #sequins

[20thcenturybride]

When I first started collecting vintage wedding dresses I was very hesitant to share the details concerning what I was about to do to them (ie. playing Dr. Frankenstein on their loved one's wedding dress!)  I was worried they might be offended or hurt if they knew I'd be cutting them apart.  I find most of the dresses on Craigslist which means I'm dealing directly with either the woman who wore the dress (or the husband) or one of their children if they've passed away.  Surprisingly, I've found that whenever I tell someone about my business they are always very excited about it.  Most of the time they are just happy that the dress will go to good use and that someone will be able to appreciate it again.  They often offer me old photographs which is my favorite!  I'm really looking forward to being able to include an original photograph with each dress that I work on.  

Being a lover of vintage, I personally always wonder about the origins of a dress.  To be able to meet the woman who was married in this very dress is a true privilege.  Here are a few pics I took on my phone when invited into the home of a very sweet woman who was married in 1950.  She explained to me how she had the dress made custom for her and specifically requested that it have that mandarin style collar which wasn't popular at the time.  I feel so lucky to be able to share these photos with you!