Three fabulous creations are hanging in the Chein Noir Designs workshop.
Only partly as fabulous as their creator Beata Ridley.
Beata is a Bridal Couturier. She creates one-of-a-kind pieces, with a speciality in bridal dresses. With over 35 years of experience, she has been the safe pair of hands many women have entrusted for their special gowns.
And she’s creating not one but three incredible pieces for PIBF Festival Director, the Sugar Duchess!
But before all our adoring fans admire her mastery, we’re going to have to brush up on some sparkly facts first!
Some of you might be familiar with couture, haute couture and bespoke – did you know they’re all different?
Couture vs Bespoke vs Haute Couture
The French word “couture” translates to “dressmaking” – couture pieces are individually created for a female-identifying client’s measurements (not mass produced or duplicated). To produce haute couture, or “high fashion” you need to be formally recognised by the French Industry of Fashion.
“Bespoke” designs are the equivalent of couture for fabulously fashionable male-identifying folk, not just limited to suits and shirts either!
The process of creating a couture piece is an intimate and intricate one, not simply a single session of taking measurements then the next time you see anything is the finished product.
Oh no, not at all.
Beata’s clients see her creations at all stages of her work, through design, fittings, finishing and hand sewing. Only ever working with one client at a time, her personalised service works to fit her clients’ form. There are no “standard” sizes in this workroom!
Beata’s creations at PIBF 2020
Her knowledge and ease of recall when it comes to historical fashion and costuming is incredible. In an interesting turn of events, the pieces she is creating for PIBF are far from her creative comfort zone.
Those attending the Tease Factory Opening Night will see Beata’s first creation, which could only be described as the sweetest thing you ever did see: a delicious, soft-hued, fairy floss dream.
Those attending the Club Burlesque Gala Night will see Beata’s second creation, a sultry and rich-coloured piece: hours and hours and hours of intricate chiffon manipulation which pays homage to the rugged Australian outback.
Those attending the Glitter Crash Afterparty will see Beata’s final creation, this is a high-intensity piece for finishing the Perth show’s with not fizz or a bang but a WOW! There’s no way you’ll miss this iridescent masterpiece.
Beata will be attending all our Perth events, naturally working on her own pieces to suit each evening’s dress codes!
Need some inspiration to get gussied up?
Have no fear, we asked Beata to help break down what to wear:
Q: For our Tease Factory Opening night, our theme of Avant Gard is making a return – how would you describe how to dress to this theme?
Beata: Avant Gard is like wearable art, an extreme elegance. For clothing, any unusual structural pieces, bold prints and unusual fabrics. You can also use your make-up and accessories like headpieces, belts and necklaces to make a statement.
Q: Our Gala Night theme is Black Tie, tell us more about this level of glamour…
Beata: It makes me think of a lot of styles which came from the ‘golden age’ of Hollywood. It’s clothing that really has the promise of romance, real elegance and a subtle tease to it. For the female form, it’s all about the accentuated body shape – mermaid-style gowns, and a cheeky off the shoulder or cap sleeve.
For masculine elegance, you could go for a three-piece suit, tailcoat, even a white tuxedo shirt or jacket. Don’t forget to shine your shoes(!) Accessories are where you can put your stamp in this theme for Gala Night: a top hat, rosette, pocket watch, waistcoat, pocket square, cravat or tie.
Q: Lastly, the Glitter Crash After party theme has become “Anything goes” this is quite broad – what would you recommend for this?
Dressing for any Afterparty, I would recommend any comfortable glamour pieces! I think anything 1920s would be fun for this years’ event. Something 20s with a twist! Also, anything with crystals or sequins would be fun too!
If you want to find out more about Chein Noir Designs, or to talk to the fabulous Beata, you can email her at beata@cheinnoir.com kitties!
