Sometimes I want to escape into the past, donned in a corset dress with lace like buttercream swirls and white satin sashes cascading across the floor.
www.galleryserpentinesalon.com
Gallery Serpentine is not only a bridal salon, it is a fashion store of the darkly beautiful. Its exquisite fashion will teleport you back into the era of Victorian romances, but with a dollop of steam-punk fantasy and goth. You can stop the clock and lie on the grass while reading literature under the shade of a quaint, laced parasol.
Recently, Gallery Serpentine's "Gothic Geisha Antoinette ensemble" was featured in Peter Coulson's (Koukei Photography) photograph, "Gothic Geisha Floating". This helped Peter claim the title of Australian Fashion Photographer of the Year.
Just a five to ten minute walk from Newtown Station, it is an easily accessible shop for ladies and gentlemen yearning to add a dash of historical delicacy into their style. They sell quality corsets, skirts and dresses, shirts, pants, vests, waistcoats, jackets, coats, shoes, accessories and jewellery.
Because of the craftsmanship, the quality and its demand in a niche market, the pricing is generally on the more expensive side, with corsets typically over $200. Dresses tend to be similar in cost to other shops, being approximately $100, and tops can be about $50. However, ensembles can range from $300 to $800, which is a lovely rate for a full satin gown.
www.galleryserpentinesalon.com
The Alternative Bridal Salon Service is the heart of Gallery Serpentine. You can expect fantastic one on one service, even outside of normal retail hours. You can book a free appointment, and if you live outside of Sydney you can still order your ensembles online.
www.galleryserpentinesalon.com
Online ordering is also easy to use. Each gown is photographed on a model, coupled with paragraph descriptions of the era. The site includes information on fabrics, sizing guides and measurements.
Both groom and bride are offered an exquisite spectrum of colours, sizes from 8 – 20, custom fascinators and hats to match the fabrics, and Gregory Bolton, Debstar or Majika jewellery – all this for the Victorian, Edwardian or cabaret ensemble. You can also design your own wedding service with their referral service for Fiona King, Sydney's popular wedding marriage celebrant who can also perform Celtic harp at ceremonies.
Gallery Serpentine is a great place to shop for costume parties, self indulgence, or a want to revive fashion of past eras. It will be a perfect place for you if you're a collector of corsets or steam punk accessories. Although it is quite niche, it is unique and can even serve as a fashion gallery for budding designers to visit. It is just overflowing with alternative creativity.
www.galleryserpentinesalon.com
Its bridal service will be a departure from the all too traditional white gown, in lieu of something unique, sentimental to you, and your way of daring to be beautifully different.
