Studio C Textile Workspace / Studio C Bridal

24/01/2024

A beautiful write up about one of my last brides before I closed my doors!!

Under the guise of their birthday party, Fiona and Dan threw a surprise wedding and celebrated 30 years together, with the promise of many more.

14/12/2023

Officially the end… as of today, the studio is vacant. I’m just about 24 weeks pregnant, and in this heat I’ve certainly had enough of work!!

It’s certainly too early for a traditional maternity leave, but I’ve got finishing touches on the last few dresses still to do; and I’ve started studying for a new career post maternity leave. I’ve never been one to sit still.

Thank you to everyone over the years for your support, and friendship. Mostly thank you to Adam (.skate.mfg ), my amazing husband, for believing in me all this time, and teaching me about commercial leases - interpreting, negotiating, and executing. I literally wouldn’t have done any of this without you.

And now for new adventures…

12/10/2023

A big step towards closing down today… my website has gone offline. My customers, past and present, should still have my contact details if they need me but my online presence is disappearing.

07/10/2023

I might be closing down, but it looks like my work can still gain 1.4m views in 4 days. 🥰🥰

30/09/2023

Congratulations Fiona and Dan of !! I loved making your surprise wedding dress, and it was the best secret to keep for all these months.

The amazing features we got to include in this gown are the embroidered names of passed relatives, a wonderful 1940s broach at the closure of the zip, pockets, and a detachable cape!! All of that on top of a decadent lace, and colours of tulle and satin to compliment!

30/09/2023

Wishing Ashleigh a beautiful wedding day today!!

13/09/2023

Thank you for my wonderful prize!! I’m so honoured you chose me out of all the wonderful dressmakers of Newcastle, and I will always treasure this award.

I’ve been trying to find words for this post for a while… it’s with a rollercoaster of mixed emotions that I’m taking this moment to announce my closure. I’ll be using the next three months to finalise bookings, and pack up my beautiful studio.

Life has changed since I first opened up, and is changing again. I’m currently at the end of my first trimester, with my second baby. This little one will come into the world in April 2024. Knowing the challenges I faced with George (he came to work with me, mid pandemic, at 8 weeks old), I’m choosing to put my family first. All current bookings will be honoured, and all current customers are aware of my situation. Everybody will still get their gowns, just to a different timeline. Backups and contingencies are in place.

I’ve loved every one of my customers over the 10 years I’ve been making wedding dresses, and theatre costumes. I’ve learnt lots, setup and improved my systems, grown from a small studio in Kingsford (Sydney), through several changes to a beautiful shop in Wallsend (Newcastle). I’ve attended more wedding fairs and open days than I can count. If I could create a ‘top 10 favourite gowns’ there would need to be so many categories so every job could get listed. Thank you to everyone who trusted me, everyone who supported me, and everyone who came through my life during this wonderful ride.

I’m trying to plan both a garage sale of furniture etc, and a ‘closing party’ so keep an eye on socials for details.

Much love. xC

24/08/2023

Wishing Marni a wonderful happy wedding day!! Can’t wait to hear stories from your beautiful day. 💖💖

20/08/2023

Happy wedding day Rachel!!! Wishing you the most beautiful, lovely wedding day. 🥰🥰

27/06/2023

Let’s talk, Swifties. You’ve called AMEX and bought VIP tickets in the pre sale, avoiding the website crash. The excitement must be overwhelming!

The “what are you wearing to Eras” conversations are about to start in the group chat… We’ve seen what Taytay has been wearing on her instagram, for months. Do you want that same custom made experience?

I’m going to open up a limited number of Special Occasion Wear places in my calendar - if you tell me you’re going to see Taylor Swift and you need an outfit, lets work it out!! Colours, sparkles, beading, jumpsuits, nothing is off limits. There’s no point being Close Enough She Can See You if you’re just going to wear something you’ve got lying around. Group Bookings available - bring the whole gang in and we’ll make sure everyone looks their best!

18/06/2023

With a fathers reaction this adorable, and only a couple of sneak peaks so far… I just can’t wait to see the rest of Sophie’s wedding day!! I’ll be sure to share more when I can.

Photos by .studio_

16/06/2023

Wedding Open Day time!! I’m really excited to be going back to for their open day on July 23, 11-2. Last time I was there, all of this magic happened, and it was the most beautiful day. The vendor line up looks amazing, you will find your dream team on site!

09/06/2023

Wishing Sophie a beautiful wedding day!!! Thank you for trusting me with your gown. I can’t wait to hear all about your day. xx

06/06/2023

How it started, vs how it’s going…

I was so preoccupied with my sons 3rd birthday yesterday, that I forgot to acknowledge that it was my 10th anniversary of being in business. What a huge journey 10 years has been. I’ve just included the very start vs today in this post, but check out stories for 10 years worth of highlights.

What does 10 years really mean? 4 different studio spaces, upgrading every time. Dulux Class Blue every time. Countless business refinements, reincarnations. Endless spools of threads, notebooks, custom patterns. I’m still only on my 3rd packet of safety-pins. I’ve genuinely lost count of the wonderful brides I’ve made for, the actors and actresses I’ve had the pleasure of dressing, the designers and directors who inspire and ignite the flames.

I’ve created award winning costumes, for award winning theatre designers. I’ve been the tiniest part of the largest team. I’ve been working in a workroom that was acknowledges in an Oscars acceptance speech. I’ve been forgotten, had my name misspelled, or simply chosen to blend into the background when it suits.

I’ve worked hard. Really hard. My business has survived the global pandemic, which is no small feat. My business has survived having a baby, bringing him here since he was 8 weeks old; and a miscarriage, where grief overwhelmed every aspect of life. It’s my safe haven. My space, where every success is my own (that I share with my husband, because I wouldn’t be here without him)!!

Thank you for your support. No one really comes back for a second wedding gown, but many of you have referred friends, or helped spread the word that I’m here. Every little bit counts. I’ll be having a champagne to celebrate this success.

11/05/2023

Thank you Leanne for sharing a couple of your wedding photos!! What a joy to see the real wedding day.

Some of you may recognise this gown!! Leanne was lucky enough to pick this up in my sample sale, and yet it suited her perfectly!! Only minor alterations required… if you’re on a tight time frame, or tight budget, book an appointment to see what’s on the sale rack and I’ll do everything I can to help!

08/05/2023

When all your friends start sharing memories, and you wanna get in on remembering the fun times!! and .co both got me reminiscing the awesome wedding of Josie and Michael. What a great time I had making her gown, and the photos of the day really made it obvious what a fun day they all had. Do yourself a favour and book an awesome team, when you get the right vendors on board for your day, magic truly happens.

05/05/2023

Happy wedding day Jasmine!! It was a joy to create your gown, and I can’t wait to hear all about your special day!

02/05/2023

While we’re all staring lovingly at the pearls adorning the Met Gala arrivals, I’d love to share this sparkly pearl gown with you!! Sarah was a joy to work with, and carries this elegant wedding dress beautifully. She’ll be the first to tell you it weighs a ton on the hangar but is oh-so-comfy once it’s on!

29/04/2023

Happy wedding day May!! 💖💖

22/04/2023

Happy wedding day Leanne!!!

12/04/2023

Wishing Charlotte and Tara a beautiful wedding today at Dalwood Estate. 💖💖

10/03/2023

This fitting is getting some amazing shares online!!

16/02/2023

When we design your wedding gown, we consider all factors. Design, material, (cost!,) but also, what activities you will be doing on your wedding day. Can you dance? Can you toss your bouquet? Is there enough movement and flow to be picked up by your lover and have a gorgeous sunset kiss? Thankfully, Sam chose all the right materials to make sure this moment was magical.