Gallery

Photo Shoot at Rose and Smith

....................coming soon.

Wellington Wedding Show: Autumn 2017

Photo Shoot with SPCA

Photographer: Jo Moore Photographer. Styling: Vintage and Pretty. Hair: Amber Hair and Makeup Artist.
Makeup: Hannah Makeup. Flowers: Melissa Jane.

Wellington Fashion Week: Bridal Show 2014

Wellington Wedding Show: Autumn 2014

Photo Shoot with The Heirloom

Photographer: Quinn and Katie Photography. Styling: The Heirloom. Hair: Chocolate Blonde Hair.
Makeup: Blush Beauty Co. Flowers: Ruby Dunes.

Helen Forster Bridal Party

Helen Forster Bridal – The Journey Begins Now
by Johanna Osborne

Helen Forster’s new boutique on Level 2, 85 Victoria Street Te Aro is light, spacious, easily accessible and just totally awesome. And of course it goes without saying that we took great delight in helping Helen toast to her fabulous new premises on Tuesday night. Guests were in for a real treat as the bubbly flowed and the happy chatter echoed on well into the night. The divine hors-d’oeuvres and signature rosebuds by Simply Food went down a treat and ensured everyone was well and truly looked after. And we shan’t forget about the darling handmade cookies by Decorada, these were – as usual – simply amazing.

On this most special of evenings, it was plain to see how many fans, friends, supporters, admirers and loyal family Helen has, and it gave us great joy to see her new space so beautifully christened by so many well wishers.

Helen’s gorgeous designs are everywhere, both in sketch form as well as in reality – and the beautiful creations on display most certainly evoke the romance and excitement so fondly associated with weddings, and the sparkly shoes on standby for brides to try on simply scream glamour. I felt like a little girl in a dress up boutique, there’s just nothing better.

Helen’s incredible enthusiasm, easy and fun manner coupled with her professional can-do approach make this talented designer a must-visit for every bride to be. With a hot new central city work space and wedding season now in full swing Helen is busier than ever, but she welcomes new brides and loves nothing more than a no obligation consultation where the wheels can be set in motion, and little ideas can turn into big dreams… and best of all – an achievable reality!

“Come dress yourself in love, let the journey begin.”
-Francesca da Rimini

Wellington Wedding Show: Spring 2013

'Mr and Mrs' Issue No.5

Photo Shoot with Christopher Moore

Photographer: Christopher Moore. Model: Crystallion Heart. Make up by: Natalee Fisher.

Wellington Wedding Show: Autumn 2013

'Mr and Mrs' Issue No.4

Mr & Mrs: No.4, page .

Mr & Mrs: No.4, page.

'New Zealand Weddings' Autumn 2013

New Zealand Weddings: Autumn 2013, page.

Wellington Wedding Show: Spring 2012

'Mr and Mrs' Issue No.3

Mr & Mrs: No.3, page 45.

Mr & Mrs: No.3, page 44.

Mr & Mrs: No.3, page 12.

Mr & Mrs: No.3, page 54.

Mr & Mrs: No.3, page 55.

Mr & Mrs: No.3, page 56.

Mr & Mrs: No.3, page 57.

Mr & Mrs: No.3, page 58.

Magnolia Rouge: 'Mag Rouge' Issue No.4

Mag Rouge: No.4, page 10.

Mag Rouge: No.4, page 11.

Photo Shoot at The Museum Hotel

Make up by: Rebecca Connor. Photographer: Angela Vidal. Model: Lauren Sampson.

'Mr and Mrs' Issue No.2

Mr & Mrs: No.2, page 43.

Mr & Mrs: No.2, page 23.

'Mr and Mrs' Issue No.1

Mr & Mrs: No.1, page 33.

Mr & Mrs: No. 1, page 24.

Behind the scenes.

Photo Shoot with Kate Adolph

Make up by: Brooke Anderson. Hair by: Helen Forster. Photographer: Kate Adolph. Model: Kelly McArthur.

The Dominion Post: 9th May 2011. Bride 2011/12, page 4.

'Mille Feuilles' Dress of a Thousand Layers

Make up by: Helen Forster. Hair by: Helen Forster. Photographer: Lisa Wilson. Model: Kerry Buddle.

The Dominion Post: 7th September 2009. Fashion Spring/Summer 2009/10, page 5.

Mend and Make Do: The Wedding Dress
Part One

The Wedding Dress took over six weeks to create and consists of 44 meters of white and ivory fabric in different textures. Duchess silk satin was the base of the dress with layers of a silk linen blends, organzas, silk chiffons, embossed cottons and velvets. The dress was embellished with 1700 hand sewn Swarovski crystals and 20 hand covered buttons.

Make up by: Helen Forster. Hair by: Helen Forster. Photographer: Emma MacDonald. Model: Kelly McArthur.

This shows the process of transforming the original wedding dress into the collection of six cocktail dresses. Piece by piece the wedding dress comes apart and then each of the cocktail dresses are put together.

Mend and Make Do: The Wedding Dress
Part Two

My final assignment was to make a collection and I chose to focus on wedding dresses. My attention turned to the 1940’s where women like my Nana and Great Aunt shared and re-used their wedding dresses. I thought that this concept could be brought into the present. I made an extravagant dress that I took apart and using all the fabric then created six new cocktails dresses for my collection. The only extra materials I used were buttons, zips and cotton/threads.

Dress One was made from the mid section of the corset and had pleats to accent the neckline and hem. 20 covered buttons were used down the center back.

Dress Two was made from the silk linen blend with an asymmetrical neckline of pleats. The top pleat was originally from the embellished bottom panel of the corset.

Dress Three was made from the duchess satin base and has two layers of the veil tulle on top. The pleats create a sculptural neckline that is attached to half of the original corset’s embellished bust panel.

Dress Four was made from the duchess satin base and has 30 meters of tulle from the original petticoat gathered on top. 72 meters of duchess satin was used as a bias binding on the tulle.

Dress Five was made from silk chiffon with the sculptural neckline pleats originating from the hem of the wedding dress. 20 covered buttons were used down the center back.

Dress Six was made from a duchess satin base with an organza overlay. The pleats accent the neckline and hem and were originally from the hem of the wedding dress. Extra Swarovski crystals were stitched under the bust line.