The Liquid Rock Wedding Dress

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Caroline Zoé Geissbühler, Switzerland (Zoé Corsets)

IG: zoecorsets

Photographer: Natalie Boo
Model: Salomé Michel

The Design

When I heard the theme "Architecture", I could only think about integrated corsetry. In a building, you often see the walls and windows, but not the inner structure. I wanted to do the same for a wedding dress, so I thought this would just be the opportunity to tackle the challenge of a complete gown with an (almost) invisible corset integrated to it on the inside. The Liquid Rock dress is named like this because of the train and external modesty panel, which is made with a creased silver dupioni silk. It's flowing but has the structure of stones at the same time.

The Construction

I chose fabrics from my stash that were bought for bridal projects, and used a pattern I drafted long ago but never actually tried to sew, based on my cousin's measurements. It's a seven panel longline overbust that goes well over the hips (I always loved longline patterns...). I made the inner layer like a real corset, with coutil and synthetic whalebone. I tried to do it as smoothly as possible so that it wouldn't be seen on the outside once the external fabric was draped over it. I added a petticoat I found online to shape the bottom part (I had to reshape it a little bit by cutting excess fabric on the front, to have more like a flat front 1900's style). Then I draped the external fabric using a real model (my sister) because the mannequin wouldn't react the same way as a real body. I used my feeling and ability to let the fabric go where it wanted to create a smooth draped gown over the inner corset. The gown features two lacings. One internal on the corset, then it has an external silver silk modesty panel, and an external lacing at the waist and hips to tie the dress and finish the look. Then I did a lot of handsewing to secure everything in place, and to hem the gown, and made a small bouquet and a cape with scraps of fabric to accessorize the photoshoot.

What was it like to compete this year? What would you say to someone who is on the fence about entering next year?

Do it, you will be amazed how much you can do!

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galadriel 5 months 22 days

This is stunning, congratulations on a beautiful entry!

Caroline Zoé 5 months 9 days

Thank you !

clockwork_faerie 5 months 22 days

Wow! This is really incredible. You have made the hidden corset look effortless! I love 100% the draping, front *and* back. Amazing work.

Caroline Zoé 5 months 9 days

Thank you ! Yes I had to carefully be aware of how the fabric behaves, to be able to achieve the result I had in mind, front and back (as you said...)...

artoftheneedle 5 months 20 days

What a huge undertaking to go for an integrated corset, and it makes so much sense with the theme. Way to go, great work!

Caroline Zoé 5 months 9 days

Thank you ! Yes I think that's how the majority of architecture is made nowadays (at least "normal" houses), with the structure hidden underneath.

jema 5 months 20 days

I really like the rugged textures of stone and mountains portrayed through soft flowing silk, very clever. A straightforward interpretation of the theme is made really extraordinary by your draping and feel for fabric, nice work :)

Caroline Zoé 5 months 9 days

Thanks ! This silver dupioni silk was a dream to work with !

royalblack 5 months 20 days

I really enjoyed reading about your approach to the theme.
Integrated corsets are one of the most challenging styles in my opinion and you have pulled it off perfectly. The combination of structured undergarment and softly draped fabric on top looks gorgeous and your pictures tell a really beautiful story as well.

Caroline Zoé 5 months 9 days

Thank you ! Yes I really wanted to tackle the challenge of integrated corsetry... That's definitely something I'll do again because I really enjoyed the process!

lyrisdesign 5 months 20 days

Lovely work, and a great interpretation of the theme.

Caroline Zoé 5 months 9 days

Thank you very much !

bernadettebanner 5 months 14 days

This looks so ethereal! Excellent choice of location to photograph it too!

Caroline Zoé 5 months 9 days

Thank you ! we tried to find a place who would complement the dress and I think we found it !

kirstymitchell 5 months 12 days

Really interesting to see how you have draped over that internal structure so it's doing all the work effortlessly underneath. Gorgeous gown, so moody and yet fresh.

Caroline Zoé 5 months 9 days

Yes, I think without a corset underneath, you couldn't have a such heavy fabric floating like this...

reiray 5 months 11 days

I looooove your draping skills! So beautiful! Integrated corsetry is so fascinating but difficult. Well done!

Caroline Zoé 5 months 9 days

Thank you very much ! It really was a matter of trying and be in connection with the fabric.

paulay71 5 months 9 days

Love the internal architecture and the beautiful draping over it. The setting of the photo shoot is just perfect.

Caroline Zoé 5 months 9 days

Thanks ! The photoshoot was done in Alpnachstad, Switzerland, in a riverbed... You can see more photos on my website (http://zoecorsets.ch/de/la-robe-de-mariee-liquid-rock/).