RCB Fashion Charlotte
Erin Foley the creative force behind RCB Fashion is a professionally trained seamstress, holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Design and Marketing. In addition, she has over 15 years of sewing and pattern-making experience. Erin created RCB Fashion in late 2007 when she decided to leave her job and start working for herself full time as a contract seamstress. Although She has not always designed wedding gowns, throughout her years of sewing, Erin has worked for many companies both large and small and in all different categories of sewing. Some of the genres have included uniforms, Irish dance dresses, embroidery, animal beds and pet products, alterations and formal wear. All of which lead her to designing and creating beautiful custom wedding gowns. She has made “one of a kind” designs attainable to everyone. We are lucky enough to have Erin calling the Queen City Charlotte home, but she works with clients all over the world.
What is trending for Charlotte brides right now?
In the past year or so, Nude illusion net with appliques has become very popular. Since this design element is very versatile, I’ve used it in a variety of places on a gown such as plunge necklines, sleeves, ornate backs, and straps.
Do you design with a certain type of bride in mind?
No; whether I’m designing for a specific bride or for a photo session, I’m typically drawing inspiration from either a fabric or a fashion trend I might want to try out. Obviously, a client might have specific elements they want to incorporate into their dress but may not be able to “put them together”. My experience and creative vision comes into play here to finalize the dress of their dreams.
Is there a style that flatters everyone?
I do think there are specific styles that work best for each shape, but an A-line or ballgown silhouette tends to flatter just about every body type because it emphasizes the smallest part of the waist and creates a visual hour glass.
What style and trends do you think we'll be seeing more of in coming seasons?
Definitely color! I have had an increasing number of brides opting to step out of the traditional white and ivory for colors, both muted and bold. Your wedding dress should make you look and feel wonderful, and also reflect your personality. Color is definitely a way to achieve this for many brides.
What are your top 3 styling tips for a bride on her wedding day?
1. I urge brides to choose comfortable shoes for their wedding day, and I also stress that they definitely need to break them in. My “go-to” tip is to wear them when you are vacuuming since you move around in all directions.
2. Choose hair and makeup that emphasizes your features but doesn't make you look like a different person. If you normally wear your hair down with a light curl, don't choose a hairstyle that is tight and slicked back.
3. Be cautious with your jewelry and accessories to make sure you have a cohesive look that’s not overdone. In addition, your dress fabrics will also play a role in your choice of jewelry and accessories; be aware that you don’t want to wear items that could get stuck on tulle or lace and cause snags or holes.
If you were a new addition to the crayon box what color would you be and why?
I think I would be a color called Melange; one that is a composite of many. My dress designs run the gamut of style from the traditional to the avant garde, and I’m always looking for ways to incorporate new ideas and design elements into them. I’m definitely not afraid to experiment!
What should we expect next from RCB ?
As a business owner I try and set endless goals of advancing and growing my business without trying to be too specific or concrete with my goals. I want to make sure I am malleable with any opportunity that comes my way. We will continue to create and alter beautiful clothing for all of our amazing clients.
ALENA FEDE
Charleston
ALENA FEDE is a Fashion, interior, graphic designer, artist, from Russia, Moscow, who lives in Charleston. From the Italian word “Fede” which means “Faith”— That you cannot give up. Always keep it moving… keep going. Do not be afraid of expressing yourself with your ideas and creativity.
What 3 words best describe you?
Passionate, artistic,inspired...
When did you realize you wanted to be a fashion designer?
“…I was born with the desire to design clothes…”
I always just had a love of creativity and fashion for as long as I can remember. I was a little girl my mother was a seamstress (it was more like her hobby, she was making cloths for me and my younger sister) and she always had lots of fabrics at house. She taught me to sew and we made a sunbonnet. After that, I made all kinds of doll clothes. I was always making things for myself to wear, or playing around with clothes i had to make them more interesting, fit better. I often took vintage dresses from my grandmother′s house, simply for the fabric and took them in to fit my measurements, shorten them, wear them backwards, re-arrange panels, essentially do whatever instinctively feels right to take something old and make it relevant again but in a different way.
I loved creating drawings too. Besides dance classes, taking while elementary school, my parents decided to take me to the Art School, where I studied for 5 years. Then I entered the University of Art and Design The third year in is when I realized that fashion Design is what I wanted to do when I chose my major in Fashion Design after challenging myself participating in multiple-city competitions and a big support from people.
I wanted to go to a level of “you can′t find that anywhere”.
Do you feel your designs are influenced by your location living in Charleston?
-Charleston inspires me with southern classic designs but I always try to infuse fresh European style and a combination of classic and modern.
What is trending for Charleston brides right now?
-The biggest trend right now is just keeping it simple. Brides are looking for silk, chiffon- flowy gowns, clean cut lines. Big dresses are back, these type of new ball gowns are light and airy. Some of my brides like to add sparkles, beading and rhinestones to heighten the radiance of their dress, (it all depends on personal taste with these finishes).
Describe your creative process.
It usually starts off with an inspiration and this does not have to be something tangible, but can sometimes just be a feeling or a mood. I usually have a selection of fabrics that I have chosen for the season. I will then start scribbling ideas down on paper and making rough sketches of things that come in to my mind. Once I feel I have a clear pattern of where the collection is going, I start to put it together, create the patterns and drape a lot of the styles. This is where the magic Art starts and the collection comes to life.
Do you have favorite moment in the process?
-Yes, I definitely do. It’s the moment when I am adding the finishing touches to the dress, Decorating is the most exhilarating moment because this is when an idea actually materializes into something tangible. Sometimes it comes out even better than the client and I had imagined. I really like that moment!
If you could design a dress for anyone(historical or current) who would you choose and what would dress look like?
-It would be an actress Natalie Portman. She is very feminine, elegant..., it would be bohemian, romantic style. I think that style dress would look perfect on her!
What are the most important things a bride should consider when they are choosing their gown?
-The style/dress code, body shape, the fabrics/materials, embellishments/decor, the budget and the comfort of course.
Charles Josef
Can you give a little overview of how you came to be a bridal designer? I am a designer first and foremost, in my work I found many women coming to me for unique wedding gowns and mother's dresses, so as I did my work I gravitated towards the commissions that people requested the most. Consequently Bridal attire became one of my specialties. For me as a designer this encompasses not only bridal gowns but a large number of mother's dresses, grooms accessories and flower girls. I enjoy designing beautiful clothing and I love the variety of designing for the entire wedding party.
What is your favorite part of designing bridal gowns? Creating a garment that flatters and enhances the beauty of the client while keeping the client's vision for her special day in mind is always the goal. The design process is extensive and goes far beyond the initial concept, after that comes selecting the proper textiles, pattern draping, sizing, construction, fitting and finishing. All the hard stuff that is so essential and requires a specialist (or several in some instances). All of that hard stuff is what I love, creating a concept and bringing it to life.
What is trending for the Asheville bride? The Boho style is trending and has been for quite a while. It demonstrates itself in pretty feminine dresses worn with eclectic jewelry, relaxed updo hairstyles and casual settings. All in all it is reminiscent of a young girl playing dress up with lots of lovely things that don't exactly go together but the juxtaposition is charming and romantic.
Who are your bridal style icons? My clients are my icons and my designs are created to suit their needs which I listen to and observe carefully. Every year several clients stand out as a perfect fit for me and I keep them continuously in mind as I design future collection for they are my trendsetters and inspiration.
Where do you look to spot trends and keep abreast with what brides are looking for? I watch people and listen to their needs. For me it it less about trends and more about creating a fantasy garment that works. I engineer dresses to fill needs that brides have not thought of yet. My top selling feature is a dress that converts to a shorter length or has a removable train so that the bride can enjoy elegance during the ceremony and freedom of movement at the reception. This is not a factor to many brides until it is too late to address properly. I make certain I know everything that is desired in a dress so that I can offer solutions that do not compromise the final vision.
What should we expect next from your label? My next set of offerings will include more satin gowns with beautiful hand beading. These dresses are intended for evening Autumn and Winter Weddings where they will look the most elegant. In addition to that I am expanding my offerings for grooms, mothers, and flower girls so that the entire wedding party will have the opportunity to look unique and feel great in what they are wearing.
