Two Years Later
Our Anniversary in Venice
A Designer's Dream
Venice, Italy is the most romantic city in the world, and in the fall of 2022, it was the perfect destination for An Intimate Wedding. Exactly two years later, my husband and I jetted off to The St. Regis (where we had eloped) and celebrated our second wedding anniversary. The city was just as lively as we had remembered, and it was so much fun to stroll the streets and take in the Venetian lifestyle.
Venice Carnival and Historical Fashion
A Designer's Dream
I’ve always been fascinated with the world-famous Venice Carnival, also known as The Venice Mask Festival. The Carnival is scheduled during February though, based on the Easter calendar and usually beginning around two weeks before Ash Wednesday. I even have my own personal collection of elaborate masquerade masks that I’ve always been enchanted with. There’s something so mysterious about the person behind the mask that gives them a chance to sample a new identity. My love for period costumes also dates back almost 20 years ago when I studied historical corsetry at The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC.
.,,There’s something so mysterious about the person behind the mask that gives them a chance to sample a new identity.—Stella
My Dream to Attend Il Ballo del Doge
A Designer's Dream
But there’s one lavish masquerade ball that is a dream of mine to attend and that is the Il Ballo del Doge, the world’s most exclusive international event of the Venice Carnival. Orchestrated by the Venetian creator and artistic director, Antonia Sautter, who is a fashion designer, stylist and world-famous luxury event planner, and whom I had the greatest honor of meeting in Venice, Italy
A Private Tour of Antonia Sautter's Haute Couture Atelier
A Designer's Dream
Speaking to Antonia about our greatest passions including art, beauty, and creativity, the ABC’s as she calls it, I felt reawakened in every possible sense. And then the unimaginable happened and she offered me a private tour of her Atelier that is located in the heart of Venice and not far from where we were at her boutique.
Her Atelier hosts her collection of over 1500 haute couture period costumes and tailor-made creations, all produced by Antonia in Venice. When I stepped inside, time seemed to stop. I found myself in a magical fantasy world full of charm and elegance, and surrounded by costumes, masks, headgear, feathers, ribbons, pearls, crystals, and shimmering gemstones. Each handmade costume not only had its own remarkable story that was so unique, but also was decorated with details that made each one a masterpiece.
I left Antonia’s Atelier feeling overwhelmed with creativity and extremely inspired with a new appreciation for handmade, bespoke clothing. I am so proud to say that every bespoke Champagne Corset I create is hand-crafted with a dedication to high-quality materials and attention to detail that can be treasured for generations.
A special thank you to Antonia Sautter for this amazing opportunity and for allowing me to see inside her magical world of haute couture.
Let’s get started on a custom handmade corset of your own! I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Please comment below.
Cheers.
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