The Artist's House | A Photo Shoot for Joanne Fleming's 2018 Bridal Collection

Edera Jewelry Blog: Joanne Fleming Designs Bridal Gown Collection

"She looked like an edition deluxe of a wicked French novel." Designer Joanne Fleming uses this quote from Oscar Wilde to explain her brand’s aesthetic, and it's a perfect description. Her couture bridal and eveningwear creations are romantic yet sultry, ornate, decadent, and evocative of past eras. She creates her designs in an atelier in Brighton, England, its studio and showroom overlooking the domes and turrets of the Brighton Royal Pavilion. There she and her team transform luxurious fabrics and laces, intricate beadwork, vintage materials, and even feathers, into gorgeous creations for brides and clients all over the world. I fell in love with Joanne’s work after coming across it on Instagram a few years ago, and feel we’re definitely kindred spirits in our love for creating special, handcrafted designs influenced by historical fashion.

Every year, Joanne designs a new collection of gowns to display in her showroom, and organizes a photoshoot to showcase these new styles. This year, the theme was “The Artist’s House,” and Joanne asked me to contribute some jewelry designs for the shoot. The styling had a decidedly artistic influence, with a location overflowing with objets d'art, and clothing and accessories referencing everything from 18th Century portrait painting to traditional Japanese fashion, Frida Kahlo, and silent screen movie stars. Cheng Han, a fine art and fashion photographer known for his dreamlike underwater and fantasy-inspired series, photographed the images with the help of his assistant Andy Teo.

The shoot was photographed at Alex MacArthur Interiors, an interior design showroom housed in a renovated 14th century abbey in Rye, East Essex. All of the interesting furniture, artwork, and backdrops seen in the images (as well as the two canine models!) came from the showroom. Milliners Lomax and Skinner created the dramatic, Gainsborough-inspired hats, while the lace-up boots were made by the House of Elliot. Lotta Djessou and Miss Mole’s Flower Emporium also supplied accessories. Harriet Rainbow and Simply Beautiful Wedding Hair created the models’ hair and makeup looks.

Joanne’s new Sakura gown—a blush-colored, two-piece gown with lace overlay and detachable obi sash—was paired with the Venezia chandelier earring and bracelet set from my latest collection. The Damask Rose earrings and matching bracelet are shown with the Yoake gown, an ethereal confection of blush-colored tulle and vintage ribbons.

Scroll down to see more images from this exquisite shoot, and stay tuned for an upcoming feature on the UK wedding blog Love My Dress.