The Ellebay Look Book // 4

Hey, still here – just been a bit preoccupied with wedding & grad season! Just when I think life can’t possibly go any faster, it revs its engine and jolts forward – taking me with it. I’m not complaining, but it’s certainly taken a toll on my blogging time.

I’ve managed to find some time tonight, so now back to where I left off!

Our shoot took place at this lovely century-old hotel called Arundel Mansion. It’s got charm and character, and is such a little gem just a block up the street from Ellebay!

The whole hotel experience was just great – from the quirky innkeepers to the fake cafe to the electric elevator with double doors you need to close and open yourself! Just loved it. And it was perfect for the kind of look I was going for! Here’re what the rooms looked like before Chiara and I spent an entire evening of room prep.

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T H E   R O O M S  //

Our main room. Chiara and I spent the most time on this one, creating three different sets! We rolled the rugs up, pushed most of the furniture to the side, pushed the dining room table against the wall to the right, removed the blinds, draped fabric & cut-out hearts all over … the list goes on!

Our other main room. This one had beautiful wallpaper, and we made use of it! We also were fortunate enough to use the fire escape connected to this room, and it made for some stunning photographs.

This room had great wall paper as well, and the vanity made for some stunning photos! It was fun to shoot in this room (for me, at least!), because we were able to watch the action while sitting on the bed.

This room turned into our prep room! We set up an area for hair & make-up, hung all of the dresses up, had a mini food station, and kept a bunch of extra supplies in here.

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T H E  A F T E R M A T H  //

Chiara (of Kailey Michelle Events) was amazing to work with, and was such a trooper during our unbelievably long day. She ran errands before meeting up with me at 5 o’clock, and we worked all the way till 1am! The shoot was the next day at 7am, and was a solid 12 hour day.

I didn’t take too many photos during set-up night, but I managed a few!

Midnight coffee and crinoline runs. It was all worth it though

- Gaby

 

The Ellebay Look Book // 3

While looking for images to draw inspiration from, I made a point to not look at “wedding” photography. I turned to one of favourite sites, pinterest, and repinning anything / everything that caught my eye. I didn’t over think what I pinned at all, in fact – I had a pretty blank mind while browsing through page upon page of inspiration.

After a solid couple of hours, I took a moment to go through my pinboard. What was immediately apparent was the similarity of all my images – there was definitely a theme going on!

Allow me to break it down.

these GIRLS //

these DETAILS //

these QUIRKS //

this MOOD //

If you’re interested, check out my complete pinboard HERE!

- Gaby

The Ellebay Look Book // 2

One thing I definitely do not want is to just be another bridal designer. In fact, I want to be a bridal designer that doesn’t design “bridal” dresses. Because of this, while collecting inspiration for the look book I made a point to not look at anything “wedding”.

Kristy, Chiara, and I were drawn to two things : words & images

I’ll talk images during my next post, but for now, words.

- Gaby

The Ellebay Look Book // 1

For the past few months, I’ve been planning for Ellebay’s first look book with Kristy Ryan of Blush Wedding Photography and Chiara DeMutiis of Kailey Michelle Events. It’s been an awesome and inspiring process, and I’m so excited to share it with you all!

We did the shoot last Sunday, and though I only had time for a two hour nap over the span of two days, there was so much positive energy that I didn’t feel tired at all. I couldn’t have imagined a better team, and I truly feel like we made magic.

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Just as exciting as the shoot was the process leading up to it. I’ve been doing Ellebay with my mum for the past couple of years, and though I have a distinct aesthetic, I never took the time to sit down and figure out exactly what that was. Planning for this look book really made me think of what Ellebay is, what direction I want to head in.

It’s all about knowing your aesthetic.

One night, it all just made sense. It was one of those things where I started writing out thoughts and my writing just got faster and faster and made less and less sense but made so much sense at the same time. I figured it out.

Some thoughts :

How can I be original? How can I set myself apart? What’s my niche? And really, it’s obvious. Girls like me. Girls who don’t want a wedding “costume”. Something that’s expected because of tradition. White, frills, poof, constriction – “bridal”. Brides who don’t feel the need to conform to a certain expectation of what a wedding dress should be like. Girls who aren’t afraid to be different – embrace colour, embrace fun, embrace themselves. They want a dress that is just beautiful, and makes them feel that way without even needing to try hard. And that’s how we’ll be unique, that’s how we’ll set ourselves apart, that’s how we’ll create something truly special and original. I want to create wedding dresses for girls who aren’t looking for wedding dresses.

 - Gaby

New York ///

It’s been a crazy/amazing couple of weeks, and I’m so happy to finally have some time to blog about what’s been going on!

First thing’s first : NEW YORK

I went for two reasons :
1) To do some sourcing for Ellebay
2) I just really really wanted an excuse to go to NY

New York was an absolutely phenomenal and inspiring city. There was a certain energy & purpose that resonated from its residents; you could tell people were passionate about what they wanted and just went and did it. People made things happen, rather than wait for things to happen. I love that.

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D A Y   1  //

Monday morning / afternoon I did a shoot with Jeremy Jude Lee Photography, and literally right after I was on the road on my way to Seattle! Flying from there (rather than YVR) saved a few hundred dollars. Money that could be spent on better things … like shopping on 5th Avenue

Waiting. We took a red-eye flight. Departure at 9:40 pm, arrival in NY a bit before 6:00 am. Definitely barely slept on that plane ride.

In the NYC airport at 6am! Course I would take a selfie while waiting for luggage.

The sunrise was beautiful. Not a morning person, but love mornings.

Excuse the sub-par photo, but look! Manhattan.

View from the NY High Line! Super pretty. Was also very windy!

Day one also got cut short because I was so tired I literally threw up. True story. Luckily a mid-day nap fixed everything, along with a great meal and early sleep!

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D A Y   2  //

We stayed in a charming apartment in West Village, which was the most beautiful area. Also, weather was great! Weather was great the entire trip – sunny and not too cold for February.

The subway system was remarkable! Literally can get everywhere.

Central Park. Super chill. I would sit and read here on a good day.

Times Square. Super not chill. So much of everything!

The Fashion District was amazing. I’ve been to the one in LA, and was expecting something similar. Boy, was I in for a shock. NY is a million times better. I could have spent my entire trip wandering through here.

To keep things efficient, I organized a bunch of jobber meetings. This one was my favourite! Lace galore.

So much to choose from! Vancouver seriously needs this.

Mood Designer Fabrics was extraordinary. Could have spent the day here. Could have lived here.

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D A Y   3  //

I love exploring. Especially old buildings. The apartment we stayed at had creaky lopsided stairs that led to the rooftop!

See what I mean about beautiful weather? New York rooftop chillin’. This was incredible.

New York has the most amazing buildings. Gotta come back and explore these.

Spent the rest of my day afflicting some major damage on my credit card. Major. Went to SoHo, went to 5th Ave – need I say more? The store pictured above was my favourite. It’s called 3×1, and they do custom denim that’s all made in house! Kinda like Ellebay, only we do wedding dresses

Afterwards, watched a show on Broadway! Didn’t get a picture, but happy to cross that one off my bucket list!

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D A Y   4  //

Final day in NYC was probably the most beautiful. I ended up taking my jacket off, it was warm! (PS, that’s Madison Square Garden in the background!)

Seriously… these buildings are insane.

Spent the last few hours walking the Brooklyn Bridge & exploring Brooklyn!

Can’t believe it was only 10 days ago that I was walking this. I want to live in NYC for a bit / I’m gonna live in NYC for a bit.

All in all, amazing trip! Can’t wait for my fabric samples to arrive, and to create some beautiful dresses for you guys. I’m feeling inspired.

Thanks for reading
- Gaby

The Kara Dress

“Kara” features the softest lace, and is such a lovely champagne colour. The bodice is delicately ruched with built-in bra cups for extra support. The skirt is lined with soft charmeuse, covered with panels of lace, and has a layer of silk seersucker chiffon in between! I’ve wanted a full lace gown (that isn’t a mermaid silhouette) in the shop for ages, so it feels great to finally have it!

Hope you enjoy the photos, taken by the amazing Marie-Louise Collins!

Huge thanks to the team behind this! You all did amazing!

Model: Rachel Sargeant
MUA: Felicia Bromba
Hair: Natalia Petcu
Photography: Marie-Louise Photography

- Gaby

Instagram Sundays // 4

Random little fact about me – I hate being sick. I’m well aware that nobody ever wants their health compromised, but I honestly feel like I turn into the worst person the second I become bed-ridden. All I can think about is all the other (and better) things I could be doing, and these thoughts just tumble around my head until I become stressed and hot headed and extremely unpleasant. For the past few days I’ve been just this (apparently I got/have bronchitis), and it’s been a lot of oil of oregano / echinacea / lemon honey tea + a heavy dose of don’t talk to me just leave me alone. However, I’ve been taking care of myself over the past few days and I’m happy to say I’m feeling better! Which is good considering…

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N E W   Y O R K  //

Booked this last Monday, leaving this Monday! I’m going to be doing some sourcing, but really who am I kidding – I just want an excuse to go to New York.

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B E H I N D   T H E   S C E N E S  //

Our sewing rooms have been busy! With the majority of our first fittings happening this month and next, we’ve been in gown making overdrive. And I really do mean that – even though I was sick this week I still got in around 70 hours of work. So thankful for our two new interns at the boutique, and am excited for the rest of wedding/grad season!

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S O M E   P E R S O N A L   S T U F F  //

Those who know me well are very aware with just how obsessed I am with New Westminster. It’s a long story, but I found myself in the running to sit on the city board, and got elected on Tuesday! I’m super excited and cannot wait to be part of making New West the best it can be.

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I N S T A S H O O T  //

Continuing on with my series of instagrammed dresses, this week I posted Nicolina & Juliana! As always, huge thanks to Devan! You can follow her on instagram at ‘dgeselle’

- Gaby