Archive for the ‘Fashion News’ Category

Aug 23

Spring/Summer 2016 must have formal dress colours

Spring is just around the corner. Not only are we getting excited for the warmer weather and the thought of relaxing by the water. But what about the fashions!

The 2016 Spring/Summer colours trends are some of the best we have seen. From bold and bright, to soft and feminine, there is a colour to suit everyone!

Pantone says “Colors this season transport us to a happier, sunnier place where we feel free to express a wittier version of our real selves.”

We are all for a happier, sunnier place, so what are the top 10 colours seen on the catwalk for formal dresses?

• Rose Quartz – Pantone 13-1520 • Peach Echo – Pantone 16-1548 • Serenity – Pantone 15-3919 • Snorkel Blue – Pantone 19-4049 • Buttercup – Pantone 12-0752 • Limpet Shell – Pantone 13-4810 • Lilac Gray – Pantone 16-3905 • Fiesta – Pantone 17-1564 • Iced Coffee – Pantone 15-1040 • Green Flash – Pantone 15-0146

If you’ve got a special occasion, formal, wedding or even the races to attend this Spring/Summer, take a look at some of our unique designs, on trend with this seasons colour.

Our beautiful Dusk floor length dress is the perfect complement to the Rose Quartz trend. Soft, gentle, luxurious and composed, this colour is absolutely stunning as a bridesmaid dress in spring.

Looking for perfection in peach this spring/summer? Our Rose Garden knee length dress will turn heads and keep you cool and comfortable in the heat.

Take a bold approach to spring and wear the gorgeous colour snorkel blue. Our Sophia Dress in cobalt is the perfect for cocktail or race day dresses.

Are you loving Lilac Grey this season? Our Alicia Dress is a great option for a formal, ball or wedding. Made from silk and featuring a stunning embellishment, you will be the belle of the ball.

For more stunning designs for your next formal occasion or wedding visit our online boutique or come in store Shop 2 / 2 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington QLD. We offer alterations to ensure your gown is a perfect fit.

Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…

DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.

Aug 23

Accessorising your formal outfit with a hat or fascinator

Horse racing is a popular event in many countries. Some of the most popular and richest races include the Kentucky Derby, The Royal Ascot, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Dubai World Cup and of course The Melbourne Cup here in Australia.

But of course it’s not only about the horse races, fashion plays a vital role.

The races are a fantastic event to wear something a little different, make a statement and show off your personality.

Putting together the perfect race day outfit is a top to toe affair, as hats and fascinator’s are a traditional part of race day attire.

So how do you co-ordinate a formal dress with a hat? Here are our top tips and some perfect race day dresses.

1.     Try to purchase your outfit first, or know what colour suits you best. It is very hard to colour match a hat exactly with your outfit, so try to complement the outfit with the hat and look at simple colours.

2.     Don’t rush into buying a hat or fascinator. Make sure you try on different styles to see what you like. The perfect design for you should work with the shape of your face.

3.     Don’t forget to try different materials. Feathers, flowers, netting and embellishment adds an extra special touch.

4.     While it’s hard to match your colours, it’s important to match your styles. If your dress has straight lines, try a box hat. For long flowing dresses, large brim hats add a romantic touch. It’s all about getting the style right from top to toe.

5.     Make sure it’s comfortable and you can wear it all day. You don’t want a headache, or to have to take it off half way through the day, only to have hat hair.

6.     If you are going to be wearing sunglasses as well, ensure they work with your hat and don’t over power your look.

Our Top 3 most popular race day dresses are:

The Sophia Dress in cobalt is made from 100% Silk. This dress features a knee length hem, sleeves and pockets making it the race day dress.

The Beautiful Evening Sky Dress has been designed and made in Australia. Featuring a ruffle bust detailing, it’s sleeveless, cool and comfortable to wear. The beautiful Champagne colour is easily accessorised.

The Zebra Short Dress makes a real statement, yet is utter sophistication when teamed with a Black Hat or Fascinator. This easy care dress travels well, is comfortable and can effortlessly transition from day to night.

To view more of our race day fashions visit our store or online boutique. We’d love to see how you accessorise your Stokes Dress with a hat or fascinator; share your photos on our Facebook Page.

Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…

DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.

Aug 01

How sleeves affect your silhouette

It’s amazing how the different elements of a gown work together to create an overall effect or silhouette.

Sleeve length, skirt length, cut, fabric, pattern, colour…they all play their part and they either work with your body shape or against it.

Most of us suffer from a few body hang up’s, with many women feeling self-conscious about showing off their arms. Let’s take a look at the different sleeve lengths and how it can transform how your silhouette appears.

Who would have thought sleeve length would play such an important role!

A sleeveless gown or dress creates the illusion of an unbroken line.With your arm visible from shoulder to wrist, a sleeve doesn’t portion off your arm. While you think showing off your arms is a bad thing, it can often look the most flattering, so next time why not give a sleeveless dress a try. You may be pleasantly surprised!

Our most popular sleeveless designs include our Mozelle Tiffany Dress, our Rose Garden Dress in Watermelon and our Kiara Red Dress.

 

 

 

 

 

The Short Sleeve is probably classified as the harshest length, as it bisects the upper arm and visually widens it. On the plus side, draws attention to the bust line, if you wish to show this off.

Our most popular short sleeve designs include our Jockey Dress in Black, the Eclipse Dress and our famous Monet Dress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Three Quarter Sleeve is said to be the most flattering, as it makes your legs look longer and your arms slimmer. It does draw attention directly to your mid-section, so if this is the area you wish to disguise, try a different sleeve length.

Our most popular three quarter sleeve designs include the sell-out Alicia Iris Gown and the Sophia Dress in Cobalt.

 

 

 

 

 

Long sleeves are a perfect solution for women who would like to distract from their arms. The long sleeve creates a long slim arm; however it does draw attention to the hips and makes legs look shorter. To counter act this, try a long sleeve with a short skirt, like our Hibiscus Dress available in Champagne or Iris.

 

 

To view our entire collection, please visit our online boutique.

Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…

DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.

Aug 01

How to take care of an embellishment on a dress

Some of the most beautiful wedding gowns and formal dresses have the most delicate embellishments and fabrics.

We are so often drawn to that extra bit of sparkle, to make us feel extra glamourous or beautiful; we often overlook the care that needs to be taken to preserve these intricate details.

If you own a dress or are looking to purchase a dress with an embellishment, here are some helpful tips to take care of it.

Washing

1.     Firstly, take into consideration the type of fabric of the dress. Every material has its own different method of washing. Read the label for specific instructions on taking care of your fabric.

2.     Take a closer look at how the embellishment is applied. Some are attached by glue, sewing or rivets. Most likely in a formal gown your embellishment would have been hand sewn.

For the best care in washing your dress, use a hand wash method. Take special care not to stretch, twist or squeeze your embellished dress, as this can cause breakage.

Ironing

Never apply heat to your embellishments. If you need to press your dress, use a steam iron on a very low heat and move around the embellishment. You can also apply a muslin cloth over the top as extra protection.

Storage

There are a couple of different ways to store your embellished dress. If you wear it often, store in a proper dress bag in the back of your wardrobe. For a wedding gown, store with acid-free tissue or in an acid-free box. This needs to be changed every 2-4 years.

Dresses should always be stored in a cool, dry place.

If in doubt always seek the advice of a trusted and professional dry cleaner.

Some of our favourite and most popular embellished designs are:

Our Diva Pewter Dress, our Juliette Dress available in Black or White, and our Lara Cobalt Dress.

 

 

To view more of our embellished gowns, or our wedding gowns for under $1,000, please visit our online boutique.

Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…

DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.

Jun 26

Buying a wedding gown for under $1,000

Every woman dreams of the perfect wedding.

Part of that dream is wearing a beautiful gown and looking our absolute best.

A designer wedding gown doesn’t need to cost thousands of dollars. In fact, you can find beautiful, unique and innovative designer wedding gowns for less than $1,000. There are a variety of styles and designs to suit every body shape.

It’s true! This isn’t a myth and we’ll show you how.

Each of these wedding gowns is available to purchase in our online boutique or visit our store on Latrobe Terrace, Paddington Brisbane. We offer dress alterations and also custom designs, so please speak to our team for more information.

1.     Glamourous in Strapless.

The beautiful Juliette dress is a collaboration between Brisbane based Designer Stokes Thompson and Melbourne Designer Hanni. This gorgeous silk georgette strapless dress has a hand beaded feature on the waistline and a thigh split allowing great movement.

$850

2.     Exquisite in Lace.

The beautiful Rose Garden White Lace Floor Length Dress has been designed Australia. It features a beautiful lace overlay, a detailed neckline and pleating on the back of the skirt to give amazing movement.

$850

3.     Romantically Modern.

The beautiful Kiara dress is a collaboration between Stokes Thompson and Melbourne designer Hanni. This gorgeous silk georgette dress features a lace cut-out on the back, as well as small pleating around the waist, giving the dress amazing fall and movement.

$900

4.     Sophisticatedly Short.

A knee length wedding dress can look just as sophisticated as a floor length gown, when designed perfectly. Just as our Alicia White Lace Dress is. It features beautiful lace sleeves and a deep v-neckline.

$500

5.     Elegant in Ivory.

The Beautiful Aurora Antique Ivory Floor Length Dress has been designed and made in Australia. It features Antique Ivory Silk, sequinned detail on the bodice and a silk georgette drape/bow at front.

$700

There you have it, five amazing wedding gowns for under $1,000. To view more wedding gowns and our amazing bridesmaid dress designs, please visit or store or our online boutique.

Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…

DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.

Jun 26

Packing smart for a destination wedding

What was once a more common practice for second weddings;modern couples are opting to turn their weddings into an experience by creating a mini-getaway for their guests.

Last year, the Bride to Be magazine ‘Cost of Love Survey’ concluded the average Australian wedding now costs $65,482. With destination weddings said to be no more expensive than a traditional wedding, usually because the guest list is lower, it’s no wonder they are becoming more popular.

So if you’ve been invited to a destination wedding, here are some tips to help you pack smarter:

1.  Pre plan! Choose your wedding outfit well in advance. Select a dress which travels well and requires minimal accessories. Make sure you take into consideration the destination, weather and theme of the wedding.  We have an amazing selection of dresses prefect for a destination wedding, here are just a few and you can view more in our online boutique.

2. Resort wear. You will probably require casual wear for a couple of days. Again, choose an outfit which travels well and can be worn from poolside to dinner so you can reduce the amount of luggage. Here are some beautiful resort wear dresses from Stokes Thompson.

3.       Instead of traveling with a large wedding gift, gift the bride and groom with a voucher or money.

4.       Purchase travel size toiletries or bottles to transfer your hair products and skin care into.

5.       Don’t forget your passport, tickets and any other essential travel documents.

Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…

DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.

May 30

Dressing for a cocktail event

It is a very popular dress code for weddings and functions, but what does the cocktail dress code mean?

Christian Dior was the first to name the early evening frock a “cocktail” dress in the late 1940s. It is a semi-formal dress, which basically means a floor length evening gown isn’t required and you can appropriately wear a dress with a knee length hem.

However it still needs to be somewhat formal and accessorised with dress shoes, i.e. no jeans allowed.

The most popular cocktail dress would undoubtedly be the “Little Black Dress”. It is a safe option that suits almost every woman and can be worn multiple times, accessorising with different colours for a different style.

But if you want to add some colour, here are our top 3 cocktail dresses:

1.     The Hanni Diva Foam Dress

This gorgeous polyester silk dress features a hand beaded bust and fan cap sleeves. The small gathering around the waist gives the dress amazing fall and movement. The soft colour is a perfect choice for a day time event or spring/summer.

2.     Sophia Cobalt Dress

This is probably one of my favourites, as the classic design and ¾ sleeves make it the perfect choice for an afternoon/evening event or for the cooler months. The cobalt blue colour is striking and on trend. This design transcends age, so it is suitable for all ages and is also available in black.

3.    Zebra Short Dress

Why not try a cocktail dress with a pattern or print. Our Silver/Black Patterned Zebra Sequin Dress is cool and comfortable for warmer months, or you can add a black blazer in Autumn/Winter. The high neckline and below the knee hem is flattering design for many women. The high Quality Polyester Nylon fabric means it travels well, perfect for a destination event.

Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…

DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.

May 30

Breaking Tradition, and not wearing a white wedding dress

There are a lot of traditions surrounding a wedding ceremony; this may include your family traditions as well as society and religion.

The white wedding dress would have to be the most common of all.

The white wedding dress, which symbolises the purity of the soul, was brought about by Queen Victoria, when she wore a white gown to her wedding to Prince Albert on 10th February 1840, over 176 years ago. While she was not the first royal to wear white, red was a popular colour for brides during this era, she has been credited with starting this tradition.

In this modern era, many women are breaking this long standing tradition and opting for a coloured wedding dress that suits and reflects their personality and style.

The good news for the modern day bride is there are currently no rules when it comes to wearing colour on your wedding day! However if you are having trouble deciding what colour to wear, or what colour would suit your style of wedding we’ve picked our top 3!

1.       The Hanni Mozelle Tiffany  Dress

This beautiful soft aqua colour is suitable for a beach or garden wedding. The gorgeous silk georgette strapless dress features small pleating over the bust to create a flattering detailed look. Small gathering under the bust gives the dress amazing fall and movement.

2.       The Alicia Iris Dress

This silk floor length gown is both regal and sophisticated. It would be suitable for a church or chapel wedding ceremony. The flowing skirt has beautiful movement, perfect for the first bridal dance.

3.       The Aurora Navy Dress

Navy has been a top colour in recent fashion trends, and this transcends to formal wear as well. The Aurora gown features beautiful sequin detailing on the bodice and a georgette drape/bow on the front. This gown would look beautiful at a cocktail wedding.

Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…

DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.

May 03

The Green Dress – how to pull off wearing a green dress

Green is a colour which often gets overlooked, especially for a formal or cocktail event.

However, it is a luxurious colour which has a lot of things going for it:

It is a colour which works beautifully with most complexions It transitions perfectly from a day to night event There are many different shades of green to compliment different events It is not a colour many people wear, which means you’ll be a stand out.

Let’s take a closer look at how to pull off wearing a green dress at your next formal event.

1.     Choose a shade of green which compliments the style of event you are attending. Light shades of green, or teals, look amazing at a daytime wedding or garden event. Bright greens are perfect for a beachside event and emerald looks sophisticated at an evening or black tie function.

Our Hanni Diva Foam Dress is short or long and is an ideal choice for weddings and bridesmaids.

2.     Along with choosing a beautiful shade of green for your event, make sure you choose one which suits your skin tone. You want your green dress to make you look radiant, not sea sick. You can learn more about choosing for your skin tone in our blog “Why you should match your formal dress to your skin tone”.

3.     Accessorise your green dress with gold, beige or black. Gold and green together is a match made in heaven, for a classic or more formal style. We do love seeing it teamed up with beige or caramel, for a more casual event like the races. A green dress with black tights, heels and jacket ooze’s sophistication during winter.

4.     Green works in perfect harmony with blue, just look at our amazing sea foam fabric in our Hanni Rose Garden  and Hanni Alicia designs. If you don’t feel confident wearing green as a block colour, try wearing it in a pattern or floral design.

5.     No matter what colour you choose to wear, make sure the dress style is right for your body shape. There is nothing worse than attending an event and feeling uncomfortable in your dress; you won’t be able to enjoy yourself.

Our Hanni Alicia dress suits most body shapes, and is comfortable and elegant, making it ideal for many different formal occasions. Plus the pistachio colour is just beautiful!

Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…

DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.

Apr 04

Autumn/Winter 2016 Formal Dress Colours

Its official, Easter has been and the leaves are starting to turn golden; autumn has arrived!

And with it brings a new trend of fashion colours for you to choose from.

If you have a wedding to attend this winter or a special formal occasion, we’ve been keeping a close watch on recent fashions and we have a great round up of this season’s hottest colours for you.

1.     Trendy Teal and Turquoise. We love how these colours, usually associated with summer, have made their way into the Autumn/Winter scene. It adds a splash of colour and fun amongst a sea of black. Plus, if you have a destination wedding to attend in a warmer location, they make the perfection option.

Our Hanni Diva Foam Dress in teal, is made with polyester silk and features a hand beaded bust, and fan cap sleeves. Small gathering around the waist, gives the dress amazing fall and movement.

For a brighter option our Hanni Mozelle Tiffany Dress, is a strapless design, which features small pleating over the bust to create a flattering detailed look. Get this dress winter ready by adding a wrap or cape.

2.     Pretty Pastel. Dresses in Pinks, Lavender, Green and Ivory will give you a feminine look this Autumn/Winter. They can be beautifully accessorised with a faux fur wrap or cashmere cape in white, silver or caramel. Try wearing pastel colours in a long flowing dress, for a more romantic style. Our Hanni Aurora Iris Dress features; Pale Mauve silk, with Aurora plum sequinned detail at bodice and Mushroom silk georgette drape/bow at front. You may also like our best-selling Hanni Alicia Iris Dress, with beautiful lavender and Iris tones.

3.     Romantic Red. Stand out in a sea of pastels, in an amazing bold red dress. From bright red, to deep burgundy, a red dress will look stunning against an autumn backdrop. Red is one of the easiest colours to add to your wardrobe and brighten your complexion, read more on how to pull off wearing red, and view our gorgeous collection of red dresses, in our blog ‘The Red Dress’.

4.     Winter White. White is officially this year’s trendiest colour, with white on white especially popular. For a long time it was considered a faux pas to wear white to a wedding, this was reserved for the bride only. But in recent years, many couples have been opting for an all-white bridal party, and even an all-white wedding.

White doesn’t need to be saved for weddings; it’s a classic and sophisticated colour for many formal occasions and black tie affairs. Team our Hanni Juliette Dress or our Hanni Kiara White Dress, with a tuxedo for your partner to achieve the ultimate Hollywood glamour look.

Copyright © 2016 Stokes Thompson. All Rights Reserved. Contact Stokes Thompson or phone +61 7 3369 5119. This article may not be used without the prior written consent from the author. See below for more details…

DO YOU WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEBSITE? You can, as long as you include this text copy in its entirety: Do you have a special occasion coming up and need a special outfit? Stokes Thompson Design has a range to suit many occasions. Click here to view our Our Collections.