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Romantique Couture
1 Atkinson Court
Fell Foot
Newby Bridge
Ulverston
Cumbria
United Kingdom
LA12 8NW
T: 015395 30648
M: 07812 210880
Email: angy@
angymorton.com
The trials and tribulations of a fashion designer in the Lake District!
ARCHIVE: my previous entries:
OCTOBER 2010 BUTiQ - Atomic - Walk on the Wild Side - Sweet Charity: Toma Fund - AM Models Event - Rails to the Isles
SEPTEMBER 2010 London Fashion Week - Fashion for a Cause - Fashion Mavericks - Talenthouse - Ladies Fanwear - Zoe Gadd
AUGUST 2010 House of Fraser - BUTiQ: ready-to-wear with a difference - Ladies, Gents, Fashion Designers ..., Worst Nightmare
JUNE - JULY 2010 Fashion Mavericks - Pyromania - Catwalk Curves - Victorian Wedding Dress - Quest for an Orchid
MAY - JUNE 2010 London Calling - Little Black Dress - Dress Sizes - Holiday Hangover - Pam Carter - Skye - Mackintosh
APRIL 2010 Spring is here - Howay the Lads! - Kirkby Stephen - April Fools - BUTiQ - Leeds Catwalk pics
FEBRUARY - MARCH 2010 Stadium of Light - Leeds United Wedding Show - Spring - London Fashion Week Catwalk Show
JANUARY 2010 Life is a Roller Coaster / Alexander McQueen - Tyne Tees TV Interview - LFW - New Year 2010
DECEMBER 2009 White Christmas - Liverpool Debacle - Stolen Dreams Facts - Haverthwaite - Miss Sundlerland - Show Pics & Clips
NOVEMBER 2009 Lavish & Luxe - The Big Flood - Stolen Dreams - Censored Dreams
Bottom of Page for more Archive Pages
USEFUL LINKS:
CLICK for: LFW FASHION MAVERICKS video clips on YouTube
CLICK for: JALOUSE LFW CLOSING SHOW video clips on YouTube
CLICK for: LAVISH & LUXE: STOLEN DREAMS video clips on YouTube
CLICK for: STOLEN DREAMS LAUNCH video clips on YouTube
CLICK for: MySpace
CLICK for: Fashion Industry Network
15 NOVEMBER, 2010: EBAY AUCTION starts for BRATHAY TRUST: bid for a day with Fashion Designer Angy Morton
4 NOVEMBER, 2010: AS YOU LIKE IT - Charity Fashion event for TOMA FUND in Newcastle
Watch this space for Pyromania 'Flaming Dress' and RedDress::BlackDress exhibits, and forthcoming fashion or wedding events
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18-22 FEBRUARY, 2011: LONDON FASHION WEEK
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All proceeds to the Brathay Trust
AUCTION NOW OPEN ON EBAY
14 November 2010: Fault Magazine: Imperia Staffieri (photoshoot)
6 November, 2010: The Journal - Stars give a smalls bit of help
5 November, 2010: The Keswick Reminder - Burning Dress on Honister
5 November, 2010: Evening Chronicle - Sports stars in fundraiser for cancer charity
4 November, 2010: BBC TYNE -Video Clip- Fashion designer sets dress on fire to raise money
4 November, 2010: BBC RADIO NEWCASTLE - Drive Time - Pyromania
4 November, 2010: BBC RADIO CUMBRIA - Liz Rhodes Show - Teenage Cancer
2 November, 2010: Westmorland Gazette 'South Lakeland designer blazes a trail in fashion world')
1 November, 2010: ITV BORDER - LOOKAROUND - Blazing Dress; Marti Errington-Dodds
1 November, 2010: BBC RADIO CUMBRIA - Ian Timms Show - Blazing Dress
21 September, 2010: Westmorland Gazette 'Fashion designer to unveil new collection'
20 September, 2010: Blow 'LFW Day 2 - Romantique Couture'
20 September, 2010: Fashion Mavericks 'Day Two in Pictures'
16 September, 2010: West Ham United Official Website 'Claret and blue couture'
COMING SOON
Classic meets couture - RedDress::Black Dress
Hand-made to measure from only £ 275.00
PRESS RELEASE - 29 October, 2010
BLAZING A TRAIL ON THE CATWALK FOR TEENAGE CANCER
Fashion Designer Angy Morton will be setting fire to a couture dress on Monday, ahead of the public launch of her Pyromania collection to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Unit at Newcastle’s RVI. - See PRESS PAGE for full details
Shoot by photographer Imperia Staffieri for Fault.
Click below for more info re Crystal and the article about the photographer Imperia Staffiera:
Crystal Deroche (Stylist): www.crystalderoche.co.uk
Fault Magazine: www.faultmagazine.com
Fault Magazine (14/10/2010): Imperia Staffieri
Photographs by Imperia Staffieri
Courtesy of Crystal Deroche/ Fault Magazine
It just shows that going out for a day makes a difference...especially here in the Lakes. I'm still busy like crazy with new 'handmade-to-measure' designs to work on and my accounts to finish but by the end of the week I really had to escape and go out for a day.
We headed over to Buttermere - the fresh air was just what I needed ...new ideas, new dresses, new collection....everything all over the place... so many ideas now buzzing round my head. Everything was inspirational from the ever changing weather to the lakes and waterfalls, and the late autumn shades to the Herdwick rams with their huge curved horns roaring and fighting all over the valley ... but what beautiful faces!
This summer I had some challenging projects including a Victorian side saddle wedding dress, a unique designer wedding dress and of course a complete new collection for London Fashion Week ...quite a bit you may say. No wonder I hardly saw the light of day.
The timing of the news that Prince William and Kate Middleton are to tie the knot couldn’t be better. Somebody in one of the papers said that a Royal wedding will cheer people up at a time of gloom and depression. It therefore seems appropriate to reveal to you one of my more unusual creations from this summer ... Lynn, the bride in question, will be ever so pleased!
This unique wedding gown is a tight fitted fishtail dress inspired by a Zac Posen design worn by Kristin Davis in the famous ‘Sex and the City’ SJP to Mr Big wedding. Lynn approached me having fallen in love with the original. Yes it was a hell of a challenge...but as I’m very much against copycats I only used the dress as inspiration and designed my own version. It took us endless fittings and changes to have it all done right but it was such a complicated dress I was afraid I will never be able to finish it in time. I lost count of the number of hours I spent on the dress but it was certainly well into three figures! A lot of work but the final result was well worth the effort ... the dress fitted perfectly and looked fab on the bride ... I can't wait to see the wedding pics!
Click here and scroll down to 'Kirstin Davis' for the background: Carrie finally walks aisle.
Yes another charity. You know what? As much as I like my job, I mean don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my business despite all it's ups and downs, and even more downs, I find doing something for charity both fulfilling and heart-warming.
I offered my services as a fashion designer for a day to Lucy at the Brathay Trust for their Christmas EBay auction. I know it may sound strange but I thought it would be far more exciting than just donating something like a dress - it's far more personal.
So a full day with me...my Goodness, a FULL day with me!!!! I’m scared stiff. I've never done this before and I’m rubbish at trying to explain the technical bits...but I am creative, I know my subject inside out and I'm determined to give it a go. I'm offering three full day packages to choose from subject to the competency and experience of the highest bidder. These will include recycling an old garment into something refreshing and fashionable, being creative by going beyond standard patterns, and the basic skills for making a one-off couture garment. It would help if the winner can sew or competently use a sewing machine - then the day will be hands on creating something of their own. However, don't despair if you are a novice and would still like to bid - the day can still be personalised and used to demonstrate my fashion skills. There will be plenty of time for a full briefing before the day which will take place at Brathay Hall when it is mutually convenient for both parties. Full details will be posted on EBay and on the Brathay Trust site from Monday (15 November) for 10 days. So get bidding for a Christmas pressie with a difference!! Check out www.brathay.org.uk for links to the auction and for regular updates.
In addition to 'a workshop with an avant garde Fashion Designer' you can bid for dozens and dozens of fantastic one-off offers from a day with the head gardener at Levens Hall, to one of Sara Gadd's hats, a training session with Carlisle United, a VIP World of Beatrix Potter pass, a Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway footplate experience, a weekend dry-stone walling course and even a 2-day pass for Honister. Check the Brathay Trust website for more details but hurry up - the first round finishes next week!
After a mad month with yet more projects, bookings, shows and new dresses to finish, finally I could relax for the first time ... even if it was only for a weekend. I know you might say that my choice of relaxation was perhaps a bit mad, but compared with the hectic madness behind a fashion event it was like a walk in the park ... !
Brilliant, absolutely barmy - barking mad just like me! To top things up, Mark who runs the operation there, pops down to the shop at the foot of the pass to buy his morning papers in a ...helicopter! Fantastic ... just watch this space as I will come back with something else up my sleeve. I absolutely love these guys ...
The cars were really incredible - somebody told me how much some of the old Bentleys and Bugattis were worth but I'm afraid the figures quoted were beyond my comprehension. All I can say is that some people have more money than sense - especially when you see what they are putting these valuable vehicles through - covered in mud and dust, skidding and skating on loose stone, and swerving round hairpin bends between crags and a sheer drop to the valley below! Mad! Completely mad! But what fun! Anyway, take a look at the pictures and judge for yourself, and when you have a second click onto honister.com and check out their video clip of the Bugatti.
A few photos from the vintage car trials on the miners' track up to Fleetwith Pike - note the honister.com workshops, and visitors centre on the pass below.
Left to right, top to bottom:
1. 1923 3-litre Bentley cruising round the hairpins;
2. No idea what this rather noisy. ancient contraption was, but it was certainly making good progress;
3. 1926 3-litre Bentley saloon heading back down towrds the pass;
4. A classic 1923 Bugatti looking rather grubby from the climb!
Photos: Mike Morton
After another sleepless night getting everything ready, and an interview with Liz Rhodes on Radio Cumbria, it was off to Newcastle for the latest show. Quarter of an hour later we were headed back home again. cursing and swearing because we had left the music hehind! And on top of that there were floods everywhere, and the rain was relentless!
Finally, three hours later we arrived safe and dry at the BBC studios in Newcastle. I was ready for a large, strong coffee. When you are interviewed about so much in such a short period of time you have to think quickly and to be focussed on the subject. I must be the nightmare interviewee, always derailing, going off on a tangent and talking until the cows come home - it's just nerves really! I’m trying, I’m trying... so a big thanks to producer Sophie from BBC Newcastle and to Liz Rhodes from BBC Cumbria for being so lovely and patient with me, and my blurry answers.
The models were professional and wonderful,. They helped me with fittings, accessories and rota - just as well as there was nobody else. Believe me, it's no fun trying to change and fit couture outfits - especially for a busy runway schedule. Fortunately we'd worked together last year so we were familiar with each other and they understood my rather demanding needs. My biggest worry was whether I would have enough dresses for the girls from the Teenage Cancer Unit: Carly, Laura and Catherine ... everybody has a different concept of dress size so there always have to be contingencies. With couture there is no second or third sample in different sizes. They either fit or they don't, and it was nearly the latter!
The makeup was spot-on - kindly provided by Vicky Johnston and a few make-up artists from college. I even let one of them loose on me!
A phoenix rising from the ashes - detail from 'Pyromania', the fire dress.
Overall the event was OK ... though, as always I didn't get to see it because I was so busy backstage all evening. I didn't even get to meet Danny Simpson and Leon Best, though I did speak to a couple of the Falcons players. So, a big sooory to everybody I missed ... I was dragged out onto stage at the end but after that it was straight back to clearing up!
There were a few hiccups, which could be put down to lack of rehearsal ... I heard a wonderful adage about the importance of planning, when I was in the office at Movida during LFW - the 7 P's ... "Proper Prior Preparation Prevents P...:" - look it up for yourself on Google! As soon as somebody says, 'don't worry, it will be fine," alarm bells start to ring. It was certainly true this time ... the compere was back on stage before 'Pyromania' had run through and models were left off the catwalk ... lack of communication? Delay in getting models ready and back up the stairs onto the runway again? Who knows. Thankfully they made it back on stage later but the result was chaotic and my new 'Pyromania' Fire Dress, my 'pièce de résistance' for thi s particular show, since it was inspired by and dedicated to the cause, was lost amidst 'Stolen Dreams'. C'ést la vie! Oh well, they still looked fab on the girls!
4 November, 2010
You Tube Clip - 1
'RedDress::BlackDress' (Pyromania Collection)'
by Angy Morton
4 November, 2010
You Tube Clip - 2
'Pyromania-Fire Dress' (Pyromania Collection)'
by Angy Morton
Out of all the shows I've participated in, this latest one is very close to my heart...there are millions of people out there who are in real need of help so, if I can help just a fraction I will be happy. As they say charity starts at home.
We set out early in the morning for Honister Slate Mine with our fingers crossed - the BBC had been forecasting cloud, then they changed it to rain, and finally to heavy rain. Hardly conducive to burning a dress in the Lake District fells! And, just in case you you haven’t been to the Honister Pass well, I can tell you, you can get the lot there. And they often do - the top of Borrowdale is one of the wettest places in the country. This is where the rain clouds got stuck last year resulting in the Cockermouth floods. Fell walkers usually start out from Honister to walk up on Great Gable or Dale Head. But be aware, places like this can give you the best or the worst time in your life. I have to say that the landscape around the pass always reminds me of Scotland - rough, wild, unattainable and magic. Just the place to sacrifice one of my favourite dresses!
A few days earlier we got in touch with Barry, the marketing manager at the slate mines (Honister.com) and asked if we could organise a stunt at their site and what he thought about our idea. I had the confidence, considering the location that he would say yes...and he did. Fantastic, the only problem ...the unreliable good old weather.
The Lake District at it's best -
top: view over Derwentwater to Lodore, and the 'Jaws of Borrowdale' with the Honister Pass and Scafell group in the background;
bottom" view over the foot of Catbells and Whinlatter
top: view over Derwentwater to Lodore, and the 'Jaws of Borrowdale' with the Honister Pass and Scafell group in the background;
bottom" view over the foot of Catbells and Whinlatter
Thankfully we were ahead of schedule so when the temptation became too much we could afford the time for a stroll along the lake shore. We admired the views to Catbells bathed in the early morning light, the mist dispersing from the lake, and the sunrays streaming over Lodore and through the infamous 'Jaws of Borrowdale' that supposedly terrified the early poets as well as the first travellers. If you fancy an interesting read, set in these valleys, pick up a copy of Melvyn Bragg's 'Mary of Buttermere' - it's a story of deception and romance - who says reality can't be stranger than fiction?
The only hitch was the wind, which nearly blew the dress over ithe precipice, and made igniting the dress very tricky, despite the 'blue touchpaper' I had prepared earlier! Then my gas burner ran out of gas and I couldn't replace the cartridge. Luckily the boys at Honister were supervising closely so they came to my rescue with a little magic formula.
Photo: coutesy Brian Sherwen
So, before I could blink I was back to work and preparing the dress for the show. I am pleased with the result though tmy biggest challenge will be taking away the stench of burning fabric! For me, the fire represented the pain and suffering, especially the chemo-therapy, of those suffering from cancer. However, my idea is to show that despite all of this there is genuine hope. The dress will be recreated so that it will rise again on the catwalk, like a phoenix on thursday night. In this respect with encouragement and support there really is hope and one of the fantastic aspects of the Toma Fund is the way in which kids who have come through the treatment support and reassure those that have been diagnosed with the disease, in the teenage cancer unit,
There was no ice cream from Buttermere Ayrshires (closed), and no fish and chips at Crosby' (too much of a detour), but looking on the bright side I am going back up to Honister after the show for the annual vintage car rally this Saturday. I have been told it is a sight not to be missed as these beautiful old cars are put through their paces on the 1 in 3 gradient of the mines track up to Fleetwith Pike (you can just see it in Brian's picture above). Check out the honister.com website for more details.
Autumn colours at Derwentwater:
Left to right; top to bottom:
View back towards Keswick and Skiddaw;
Lodore - view towards Borrowdale
Lower slopes of Catbells and Newlands Valley; View along the lake towards Portinscale, Keswich, Friars' Crag and Skiddaw.
PYROMANIA py-ro-ma-nia: - the exciting, new collection from Angy Morton
PYROMANIA is my new concept collection, a mix of limited edition 'hand made' lines, which can be made to measure on order, and designs which will subsequently be manufactured in the United Kingdom as limited edition 'prêt-à-porter' lines. The 'hand-made' range will be available from my new online BUTiQ from October 2010, and exclusive runs of 'prêt-à-porter' designs from select boutiques or online, later in 2010.
See BUTiQ for further details and regular updates
18 September, 2010
You Tube Clip - 5
'Florence No.2 and 'Pahoehoe' (Pyromania Collection)'
by Angy Morton
18 September, 2010
You Tube Clip - 1
'Meltwater' and 'Harvest Moon'
by Angy Morton
18 September, 2010
You Tube Clip - 6
'Fuji' (Pyromania Collection)
by Angy Morton
18 September, 2010
You Tube Clip - 2
'Scirocco' and 'Aurora Borealis'
by Angy Morton
18 September, 2010
You Tube Clip - 6
'Firestorm' (Pyromania Collection)'
by Angy Morton
18 September, 2010
You Tube Clip - 5
'Ijen' (Pyromania Collection)
by Angy Morton
18 September, 2010
You Tube Clip - 8
'Pacaya' (Pyromania Collection)
by Angy Morton
18 September, 2010
You Tube Clip - 7
'Flashover' (Pyromania Collection)
by Angy Morton
18 September, 2010
You Tube Clip - 10
Sample Jacket created for West Ham United FC
by Angy Morton
18 September, 2010
You Tube Clip - 9
'Krakatau' (Pyromania Collection)
by Angy Morton
21 September, 2010: Westmorland Gazette 'Fashion designer to unveil new collection'
20 September, 2010: Blow 'LFW Day 2 - Romantique Couture'
20 September, 2010: Fashion Mavericks 'Day Two in Pictures'
16 September, 2010: West Ham United Official Website 'Claret and blue couture'
16 September, 2010: BBC RADIO NEWCASTLE - Listen in from 10:00 until 11:00!
15 September, 2010: North-West Evening Mail 'Catwalk Fashion from the Terraces'
12 September, 2010: Sunday Sun 'Toon Dress Designer set to swap teams'
2 September, 2010: Fashion Mavericks 'Angela Morton-Plucked from the Lake'
PRESS RELEASE: FOOTBALL FAN WEAR at LONDON FASHION WEEK
Avant-garde designer Angy Morton will be unveiling a unique collection of designer, football fan wear, including some samples created for West Ham United,at Fashion Mavericks during London Fashion Week, this Saturday, 18 September, 2010.
See my PRESS page for further information
OCTOBER 2010 BUTiQ - Atomic - Walk on the Wild Side - Sweet Charity: Toma Fund - AM Models Event - Rails to the Isles
SEPTEMBER 2010 London Fashion Week - Fashion for a Cause - Fashion Mavericks - Talenthouse - Ladies Fanwear - Zoe Gadd
AUGUST 2010 House of Fraser - BUTiQ: ready-to-wear with a difference - Ladies, Gents, Fashion Designers ..., Worst Nightmare
JUNE - JULY 2010 Fashion Mavericks - Pyromania - Catwalk Curves - Victorian Wedding Dress - Quest for an Orchid
MAY - JUNE 2010 London Calling - Little Black Dress - Dress Sizes - Holiday Hangover - Pam Carter - Over the Sea to Skye - Mackintosh
APRIL 2010 Spring is here - Howay the Lads! - Kirkby Stephen - April Fools - BUTiQ - Leeds Catwalk pics
FEBRUARY-MARCH 2010 Stadium of Light - Leeds United Wedding Show - Spring - LLFW Catwalk Show
JANUARY 2010 Life is a Roller Coaster / Alexander McQueen - Tyne Tees TV Interview - LFW - New Year 2010
DECEMBER 2009 White Christmas - Liverpool Debacle - Stolen Dreams Facts - Haverthwaite - Miss Sundlerland
NOVEMBER 2009 Lavish & Luxe - The Big Flood - Stolen Dreams - Censored Dreams
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2009 Stolen Dreams - Gambling Man - Laughing Stock - Justice - Broken Promises
AUGUST 2009 Lavish & Luxe - Weddings - Chaos - Photo Shoot at St. James' Park - Harvest Time
JUNE - JULY 2009 Sir Bobby Robson RIP - Mannekins - Liverpool - Georgian Splendour - Price of Fame - Detox
MAY - JUNE 2009 (Toon in Tatters - Fashion Communism - Ele Horsleys - Kittiwakes - Stolen Dreams - Bluebells
MARCH - APRIL 2009 Made in England - Stolen Dreams - Easter Sunshine - Victoriana - Alan Shearer - Funland
FEBRUARY - MARCH 2009 (Favourite View - Punk Revival - Fast Fashion v. Recycled Fashion
JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2009 (In Search of Winter - A Favourite Place - Catwalk Videos - Winter Chill
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2008 (ROCS - Florence No2. - Winter-Mere
OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2008 (Cumbria Life - Glitz & Glamour Haggerston Craft Show
OCTOBER 2008 (Woman Event - Catwalk Photos - Radio Cumbria - Brochure Download
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2008 (Newcastle United Wedding Dress - Wedding Shows
AUGUST - SEPT. 2008 (Fashion Designers - Spectrum Collection - Sara Gadd
JUNE - JULY 2008 (Haute Couture - Vivienne Westwood - Dorset Buttons - Magna Carta
FEBRUARY - MAY 2008 (Lake District Inspirations - Long Blondes - Wedding Show
We are on
Angy's Blog is written by Angela Morton, Fashion Designer & Dressmaker
Photographs copyright of Mike and Angy Morton
Copyright Romantique Couture 2010
Photographs copyright of Mike and Angy Morton
Copyright Romantique Couture 2010