New Photos from Velvet Crush Styled Shoot

Credits

Looks in order: Roselyn gown, New Vintage Button Corset paired with black bubble skirt, Olivia mini gown, and new Bow Skirt paired with Eloise Tapestry Lace-Up Corset Top

Beauty by DollYouUp.glossgenius.com Rochiani_mua

Photos by Qnaomy and neverknow.photo

Model Patricia Urbonaité

Custom Made Bridal Gown that transforms into Bridal Jumpsuit

“Thank you to Desiree for your expertise, vision, imagination, and execution I will forever be grateful to have worked with you on my wedding dress.” -Ashley

above photos by Lynn Lewis Photography

venue @Nestldownevents

beauty by @statussalongagency

All in the Details

When you have a specific design in mind you can’t find in stores, I can help you design your dream wedding gown and/or jumpsuit.

Little details like a snap-up pant hem, embroidered garment bag, and custom scrunchie are the little details that make it all that more special when you work with me.

Check out this Interview with me on Voyage Tampa

https://voyagetampa.com/interview/an-inspired-chat-with-desiree-singletary-of-lakeland-highlight

An Inspired Chat with Desiree Singletary of Lakeland

Desiree Singletary shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Desiree, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I wake up early every morning at 5:00. I feed my cats, and I get a matcha before heading down the hallway to my sewing room. I work alone, at home, but I’m a strict boss, so I get right to work. I always have a few custom orders, but the majority of my business nowadays comes from bridal alterations. I usually like to finish at least one order a day.
I look at my schedule for the week and determine which bride/woman/dress is the most crucial to work on next. I usually have music, Audible, or even a show playing while I do alterations. Around 7:30 every weekday, I drive to my mom’s house and we walk her dogs. Sometimes we go shopping afterwards or to brunch. Then I come home and start sewing again if I don’t have any appointments. If I have an appointment, I get the fitting room ready and the whole house cleaned for guests. Appointments take anywhere from 10-60minutes. I have around 6 appointments on average every week. This includes new clients, clients returning for fittings, and clients picking up gowns. Around 4:00 most days, my husband comes home and we start to work on dinner, and then just relax the rest of the evening.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I’m Desireé. I’m a bridal designer seamstress in Lakeland, FL, who loves mixing vintage and modern fashion. One of my favorite projects to take on is refurbishing mother’s/grandmother’s gowns for the daughter to wear for her wedding/rehearsal/bridal shower. I have done refurbishing of vintage gowns where we make them more modern for the bride and fit to her size, and I have done other transformations from vintage gowns to Memory Bears/Cats, clutches, bridal robes, and more. Another piece I am proud of that I recently created is my zip-off Penelope gown. It’s a pink, floral Bridgerton-inspired gown with lace details that zips off above the knee for a cute mini dress. The idea is that you could wear the full-length version for your ceremony and zip off the bottom for the reception.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
My mom and pictures of my childhood will tell you I have always been the fashion girl, the girly-girl, the girl who overdresses. But, I have lost count of how many times I have been told, This is not a fashion show. I love all the ruffles, pearls, floral, lace, and poofy dresses, and I struggle to always keep those voices out of my head telling me that I’m overdressing, or it’s not a fashion show. I hope to inspire young girls to dress as they want and how they feel best, not to want to blend in just because they fear getting called out.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Wear the dress. Take more photos. Focus more on producing good work instead of struggling to find more clients/marketing.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
My husbands. We grew up together. We’re high-school sweethearts. We changed together over the years, and I trust his soul and mind, so I would go to him first.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
Customers tell me that I’m patient and kind.

DIY Sew-in Veil Weights

After having a bride ask about veil weights, I searched Google, and only found magnetic veil weights. They come in different shapes like pearls, or flowers, but they are all magnetic.

I purchased some from Amazon, and they attach to the veil easily, but they are magnetic. I don’t like how they are magnetic because they have potential of attaching to anything else magnetic, and getting lossed. They could also stick to each other. Or if one knocks into just right, they could knock one off.

With all that in mind, I came to my solution, and that is these DIY sew-in veil weights I’m going to show you.

Luckily, her veil is covered in lace, especially at the hem where it matters for this, so I am able to hide my veil weights with lace.

(A different solution would have to come up for veils without lace.)

I first created little bags for my weights (2 nickels each) to go in.


Then I sandwiched them in between two pieces of lace on the backside of the veil in 5 spots on the hem of the veil.

placing the veil weight on the backside of the veil

Sandwiched the veil weights between the lace apps.

Finished photo of veil with veil weights

Rosa gown photographed by Sam Copland Photography

Credits:

Venue: @ulianaestate

Planner: @wrighteventsplanning

Photographer: @samcoplandphoto

Floral Design: @jonnrinnah.florals

Textile Install: @henrina.bridal.couture

HMUA : @contoursalonandstudio

Models : @maiandandy

New Photos of the Rosa gown at Uliana Estate by Carlie D Photography

I enjoyed visiting Lakeland’s newest Wedding Venue, Uliana Estate. I can envision so many different types of weddings happening here. It has farm vibes with an old-school red outhouse, chickens, & roosters crowing. There are many boho vibes with the large tree swing, big enough for two, and the hanging lanterns/chandeliers.

With our styled shoot, we went with a modern, minimalist look with greenery and drapery.

Awesome Team

Venue: @ulianaestate

Planner: @wrighteventsplanning

Photographer: @carliedphotography 

Floral Design: @jonnrinnah.florals

Textile Install: @henrina.bridal.couture

Linen Signage: @linenandletter

HMUA : @contoursalonandstudio

Models : @maiandandy

Photos from Katherine Rachel Photography-Bridgerton Shoot

Photographer: Katherine Rachel photography @katherinerachelphoto

Creative Director: @styledshootsofcentralflorida

Venue: @colonialatsunset Models: @_aja.skye_ @victori_ann_

H&MU Team: @destinyandlighthairandmakeup

Luxury Picnic, Florals & Couch Rental: @prettyandposhpicnics

Cake: @bakedheavenlysweets

Model Victori Ann is wearing my Penelope pink floral convertible dress. It zips off above the knee for a whole new look. She is also wearing my chantilly lace short gloves. Available in the shop.

Model Aja is wearing my Daphne convertible dress and matching choker. Both choker and dress are made from vintage materials.

New Photos of Bridgerton Dresses from Naomi Quiñones at the Colonial at Sunset

Creative Director: @styledshootsofcentralflorida

Venue: @colonialatsunset

Photographer: @qnaomy

Models: @_aja.skye_ @victori_ann_ @mrs_rachelrenee

H&MU Team: @destinyandlighthairandmakeup

Luxury Picnic, Florals & Couch Rental: @prettyandposhpicnics

Cake: @bakedheavenlysweets

Custom Anniversary Dress for Alexandra

Behind the seams

Loved creating this custom convertible dress for my beautiful client, Alexandra. She came up with most of the designs with the multiple sleeves, and corset style dress. I was happy to find this ethereal pale blue lace from an Etsy seller. The base of the dress is made with ivory silk charmeuse and adorned with refurbished crystals.

Utah Styled Elopement Shoot with the Michaela Gown

Vendor Team:

Photos by @westernsoulphotos

Models: @momentsofyouandne

Florals: eventsbyveeslc

Meet the Roselyn Gown

Hi Babes!

Meet the Roselyn gown. This gown is all about the fabric so I made the design more simple with a strapless sheath gown that has removable long bell sleeves.

I also made a matching choker, because I’m obsessed with chokers RN.

I made a separate tube dress lining from a shapewear beige jersey that is not attached to the dress.

Amazing Vendor Team

Photography Gypc Girl Photography

Planner Eleven Rose Events

Model @lauren.pritchett

Venue Wish Well House

New Photos of the Rosa Gown by Gypc Girl Photography

Looks like this is straight from the Vogue catalog, does it not? Gypc Girl Photography did a superb job on capturing my Rosa gown. The Rosa gown is made from taffeta fabric and the poof sleeves and gloves are removable and can be worn separately.

Amazing Vendor Team

Photography Gypc Girl Photography

Planner Eleven Rose Events

Model @lauren.pritchett

Venue Wish Well House

The Perfect Second Dress

Brides, are you changing into a second dress for your Wedding Reception?

The Suki Bridal Mini dress makes a perfect second dress! It can be styled easily with different looks. See how we styled it with my Barbie Ruffle Veil for one look and my Bridal Bow Hair Accessory for another option.

The Suki dress was handmade in central Florida by myself. I designed it purposely to be worn as a second dress. It is also designed with a silhouette that can be easily sized up or down. The bow spaghetti straps are cute as well as functional and adjustable. I added each pearl to the white satin dress after it was sewn with my pearl gun. The feathers on the hem are from an ostrich feather boa.

My Barbie Ruffle Veil can be purchased in the shop here. And Bridal Bow here.

Contact me for a custom-made Suki bridal mini dress.

Amazing Vendor Team

Photography Gypc Girl Photography

Planner Eleven Rose Events

Model @lauren.pritchett

Venue Wish Well House

New Photos of the Olivia Mini Gown by Silvia Gilbert Photography

Behind the seams

Here’s a photo of the part of the dress being draped on the mannequin. As you can see, I was already making accessories and seeing the whole vision come to life.

I make all my patterns by drafting (rulers, pencil, paper on the table) or draping on the mannequin. I end up doing a combination of both for most designs.

I strive to have my designs make you feel something and to be balanced. For example, the Olivia mini silk gown is sophisticated in style and color but has a fairy, whimsy, fun vibe.

Tags:

Model Felicia @f15_04

Venue Misselwood Events at Endicott College @misselwoodevnts

Finishing Touch Events @finishingtoucheventsne

Hair @Stylesbycallie

Photographer Silvia Gilbert Photography https://www.silviagilbert.com/

Makeup by Sarah Lord @makeupbysarah.lord

Vintage Gown Re-do Bride Danielle

Bride Danielle came to me with her mother’s vintage wedding gown and her own wedding dress for alterations.

She wasn’t sure what she wanted her mom’s dress turned into, but she knew she wanted it short and to wear for her rehearsal dinner dress. So I sketched a few examples and she chose one right away.

before

 

the sketch

Danielle wore to her Rehearsal Dinner in May 2023

Photos are back from Jennifer Alvardao of Jen Frames

Vendor Tags

Photographer: @jen.frames
Creative Director: @styledshootsofcentralflorida
Models: @_pipercc_ @itsdiana_y @laia.irene @_aja.skye_
Venue: @covingtonfarmweddingsandevents
Hair & Makeup Artists: @sobridalbyebony @madbeauty_mua @beautycouturetampa @lgfbeauty
Florals: @charliemaeflorals
Accessories: @lynnbridalco
Videographer: @knoxmedia.co