Although she loved the U.S., after six years Caroline returned to England and established her bridal business in Esher, Surry. Her specialty became classically understated yet contemporary designs, which incorporate expert corsetry to enhance the female form. “My desire to design is based on my love of sculpture, art and the beauty of fabrics,” Caroline says. “I love the ability to transform a woman to look and feel more confident than she ever has before. My style starts with creating a woman’s silhouette to be balanced, and her figure to be as she only dreamed – I create all this by the use of a very complex corset, then drape the gown over the top.”

She emphasized the use of fabrics too, handcrafted, luxurious materials.  “My style is to create and understated exquisitely cut structured silhouette that is feminine.  I also create draped and flowing gowns but they will be based on structure to ensure great posture and the gown is then draped over the top.” 

 
Concerning favorites, Caroline refers to one design, her ‘Chanel.’  “It has a highly-structured corset and fine draping across the asymmetric bodice with a truly exquisite beaded lace over the bust line. The skirt is a soft A-Line with small drapes on the sides of the skirt which gives a sense of being a fishtail.”  Caroline says every bride who tries on ‘Chanel’ remarks that she feels truly glamorous, feminine, and in perfect proportion.

It is this flair for design and attention to detail that has allowed Caroline’s business to grow to nine prestigious boutiques in just ten years. And, now, her line includes evening and cocktail gowns too. “I have been designing ‘one off’ evening gowns for celebrities and clients for years,” she explains. “So many people have asked me to design a gown for an important event that I realized there is clearly a demand for my style.” She refers to many of these gowns as “Oscar event show stoppers,” others as “soft bias floaty gowns and short, lacy dresses.”
 
Caroline’s influences are many. “As far as clothes go I believe a woman should look feminine and confident, with a sensual feel to her look.  I am a true lover of the classics and total simplicity.  I take all these elements when I am designing, as well as observing trends in fashion.”  

Those trends, she says, are heavily influenced by celebrities, and this season by Hollywood red carpet glamour, whether a clean-cut, beautifully structured gown, or a soft georgette Grecian style.  She adds that there will always be the classical gowns too, and she incorporates the trends in her collection, still maintaining her signature sculpted style. 

There are new trends for Caroline’s business too.  “Expansion is really the future now.  We’re looking at Europe and the Middle East.  We are going to launch a diffusion range of our evening wear collection so we can broaden our market here in England.”

Susan Hart Hellman