I'm Catherine, and it's my pleasure to welcome you to the Blades Studio. I'm a dress designer and artist, based in the beautiful Hampshire / Berkshire countryside, and my passion is creating amazing dresses for beautiful women.
I love designing bridal gowns, there's something so very special about being part of someone's wedding journey, and it is an honour to get to know every one of my beautiful brides and their families.
The Blades brand is about being your unique self , being brave and bold , while being nurtured, cared for and guided. There’s no mass production here. Each dress evolves with love and respect.
It’s all about the love for my brides and love for what we create together.
I provide a unique bridal experience, one that makes every bride feel as special as she deserves to at a time of great change and excitement. The start of a marriage is such a special thing to be a part of, and it’s an absolute honour to get so close to every one of my beautiful brides and their families. If you’re searching for the personal touch, and someone who simply ‘gets’ you, you’re in the right place.
I'd love to chat to you about your dream wedding dress, if you'd like to make an appointment, simply click to give me a call, or drop me an email and I look forward to meeting you soon!
“Over the last 20 years of serving many brides, one thing that never ceases to amaze me is the lack of self worth and self-love many women feel. I constantly find myself saying “Be Kind to Yourself “ because some of the self-depreciation talk I hear breaks my heart. Part of this job is to instil confidence and to allow a safe place to be authentic, to be brave and bold, and to glow with self love. You may be a bride for one day but you can learn to love and accept yourself every day.”
Having a wedding dress custom designed and made for you is a uniquely personal experience, one which can feel a little daunting. I'm here to guide you through the whole process with ease. The Blades studio is a warm, friendly and relaxed setting, and I want you to feel as much at home here as I do. It's likely that this is the first time you've had a dress made, let alone one which is so important, so I'll take you through the process here so you'll know what to expect when we start your wedding dress journey.
Consultation
Your consultation is completely free of charge. There's no obligation until you're completely sure. This meeting is where the bride decides if she can put her trust in me to create this very special gown. We explore inspiration, fabrics and trimmings, the type of wedding and emotions one wants to express, and I'll be able to give you an accurate idea of how long your gown will take to create and pricing.
Your consultation is completely free of charge. There's no obligation until you're completely sure. This meeting is where the bride decides if she can put her trust in me to create this very special gown. We explore inspiration, fabrics and trimmings, the type of wedding and emotions one wants to express, and I'll be able to give you an accurate idea of how long your gown will take to create and pricing.
Toile fitting and design reveal
At this stage I have taken all your ideas, done my research and produced a series of designs. A simple dress shape called a toile is moulded onto your figure, where I can begin to proportionally design the wedding dress to flatter and enhance your body. By the end of this appointment, which is approximately 3 hrs long, we have made lots of successful micro decisions together and are on the way to a beautiful custom made wedding dress.
At this stage I have taken all your ideas, done my research and produced a series of designs. A simple dress shape called a toile is moulded onto your figure, where I can begin to proportionally design the wedding dress to flatter and enhance your body. By the end of this appointment, which is approximately 3 hrs long, we have made lots of successful micro decisions together and are on the way to a beautiful custom made wedding dress.
1st dress fitting
The wedding dress has been pattern cut and constructed and is now ready for you to try on for the first time. I check the fit, length and positioning of details and add extras where needed. The fastening is added next. This is a magical appointment for you as you'll really see your dress come to life.
The wedding dress has been pattern cut and constructed and is now ready for you to try on for the first time. I check the fit, length and positioning of details and add extras where needed. The fastening is added next. This is a magical appointment for you as you'll really see your dress come to life.
Final dress fitting
Your dress is finished, all fastenings are added, and the hem and details are complete. It’s a chance for you to try on your dress with your accessories, some of which we may have created too, and to get used to walking, sitting and often to practice dancing.
This is always such an exciting appointment for us both, seeing your vision and our design in reality.
Collection
Your dress is pressed and bagged ready for you to collect before your special day. I gift every bride with an original hand drzawn illustration of her dress, beautifully framed, and presented to you to signify the end of our dress designing journey together. Your illustration is wrapped as a sign of my love and appreciation for being part of your special day.
Your dress is pressed and bagged ready for you to collect before your special day. I gift every bride with an original hand drzawn illustration of her dress, beautifully framed, and presented to you to signify the end of our dress designing journey together. Your illustration is wrapped as a sign of my love and appreciation for being part of your special day.