Rosie Dennington, a graduate of our School of Fashion and Textiles has showcased her Wanderlust bridal wear collection at London Fashion Week for the first time, featuring a diverse range of models.
Sophie Hawkesford
BA (Hons) Textile Design graduate
After graduating in 2013, specialising in Fashion Design and a pathway in Performance, Rosie joined the Prince’s Trust to help increase her Rosie Red Corsetry and Couture business opportunities – she highly recommends their Enterprise Course. As a result of her involvement with the charity, Rosie, one of ten applicants chosen by the youth charity, was able to make her bridal wear catwalk debut.
The collection Wanderlust is fantasy bridal focused, it looks at trying to capture the feeling of wanting to explore and connect. Imagine travelling stormy seas into a land of dreams, the collection is whimsical, feminine and luxurious, whilst still incorporating the structure of corsetry. Rosie Red signature details include the embroidery of words into garments, which can be personalised for the bride. There’s a range of possibilities including the lyrics to a first dance, wedding vows or the map coordinates of a couple’s meeting place. Rosie prides herself on the detail and time invested in each garment.
I create silk layered ‘Rosie’s roses’ by hand, and line my corsets with red satin, giving them the ‘Louboutin effect’.
Rosie specifically chose to use a diverse collective of models including plus size models to showcase her collection. This meant personally sourcing models to walk in the show to accurately represent her diverse clientele. This considered and deliberate approach certainly caught the media’s attention and got people talking. A huge highlight for Rosie was that she was able to close the show, to the soundtrack of her favourite Florence and the Machine song, a very fitting choice for her fantasy theme.
People aren’t used to seeing larger bodies on the runway at LFW, or in luxury fashion, figure holding pieces.
Rosie's garments are made with the utmost love and care at her studio in Oxfordshire, England, promising a fabulous bespoke experience from start to finish, whether you’re plus size or petite or anywhere in between. Rosie is a self-confessed Romantic and a fan of love, so creating bridal gowns is much more than just a job. Rosie already boasts an impressive portfolio of clients including: Helena Bonham Carter, Billie Piper and Sharlene Hector – Helena requested one of Rosie’s dresses for a high profile magazine spread shot by Mario Testino and featured in Vanity Fair.
A repeat would be amazing. However Paloma Faith, Beyoncé, Emilia Clarke, and Florence Welch are all on the list too! I find unique, strong women really aspirational.
A future aspiration for Rosie would be to have a solo fashion show, or a retrospective show of past collections on the runway. Rosie hopes her work will give her the opportunity to work abroad in the future and dreams of working on a film. She is open to the idea of lecturing, as she is gaining invaluable knowledge and experience through her business ventures.
In the meantime I am at a really happy place at the moment, my business is growing, and I am extremely independent.
To find out more about Rosie’s work head to her website.
