Couture designed by Martine Abate for Kamera Obscura
Kamera Obscura is the label of Martine Abate, a London-based couture dress designer with a reputation for bold and original design. She uses fabric and texture in a way that’s totally unique, playing delicate organza against Harris tweed, and rebellious shredded chiffon against ladylike satin. Add a decadent but controlled colour palette, and the result is beautiful couture that’s confidently unconventional. The Kamera Obscura collection includes dresses, skirts, coats, evening and daywear, as well as cocktail and wedding dresses, all exclusively designed and handmade. Abate sees the creative process as a collaboration and encourages people to think beyond what they might have seen elsewhere. Clients get to leaf through fabric swatches, drawers of beads and overflowing boxes of trimmings with the designer, ensuring that they get exactly what they want. Having been through the process once, many find themselves involuntarily coming back for more. Clients visit the studio to look at samples of the collection and discuss the details they would like included in their own bespoke piece. If they fall for an existing design, it can be ordered and made in their own size. Once fabrics and trimmings have been chosen, the making and fitting process gets underway. Depending on the design, it usually takes three or four months to complete the outfit. Dresses - from £950 Coats - from £1,500 Wedding Dresses - from £2,000 Suits - from £1,500 Shawls - from £450 Scarves - from £200
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