There are few women who have used fashion and image as powerfully as Frida Kahlo. A boundary-smashing, progressive, feminist figurehead, the Mexican artist was one of the first to create her own personal brand. Imagine our delight when our London-based favorites created not one, but two undeniably ravishing Frida Kahlo inspired wedding looks at Horniman Museum and Gardens. These magnificent scenes coincide with the "Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up" exhibition that recently opened at the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London. Marking the first-time history that this exhibition has left Mexico, it showcases 200 of the artist's personal items. Unquestionably, this team knowns inspiration when they see it! With Joanne Fleming Design's vibrant Frida dress and Elizabeth's Cake Emporium awe-striking cakes, a two-part concept and story came to life in vivid color, bold and contrasting ethereal details and a whole lot of swoon worthy moments. Working with Anna Fern Weddings the tribute becomes a high fashion bridal shoot full of Frida Kahlo inspired wedding looks with Roberta Facchini Photography fine art ability.
In our humble opinion, Elizabeth Solaru of Elizabeth's Cake Emporium is a pure genius. Brilliant if you will. As the original concept and developer of this splendor, she brought together a true London A-list. The two-part Frida Kahlo inspired wedding looks are based on the well-loved Mexican artist's most famous painting Las Dos Fridas (The Two Fridas). The painting was created at a pivotal point in her life, depicting an expressive double self-portrait that symbolizes the artist's contrasting, yet very separate entities. In the painting, the two distinct Fridas are linked together not only by their hands, but also by the connecting cord that travels around them. Frida's bold fashion has been a key source of inspiration for modern day designers such as Dolce & Gabbana, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Riccardo Tisci, and style icons such as Beyoncé. Within each contrasting looks the team breaks down how these visions of wonderment come to life.
Part one is the interpretation of Frida's European identity an inspired bridal look at the light and airy conservatory at Horniman Museum and Gardens. The chosen palette was white, cream, pink, peach and hints of gold and grey. Joanne Fleming Design created a high necked Victorian style full sleeved over blouse, featuring handmade lace and pearl buttons. She paired this with a skirt and boned under-bodice in sumptuous translucent silk damask organza, which echoed the look of the white dress in the 'Two Fridas' painting. The bold statement jewelry in white and gold with leather tassels was by Stella & Dot, kindly provided by Stella & Dot by Emma Riddell-Independent Stylist, while The Exquisite Collection supplied the beautiful and feminine emerald green ring in a unique presentation box. The hair and make up for this shoot was by the amazing duo of Kasia Fortuna and Sylwia Kunysz Bridal Make Up respectively, who expertly made up the model, Nicole Andrea Da Ros. They used a soft and natural palette of blush and rose pink on her face, with a nod to the strong eyebrows Frida was noted for. They also wove in a monochrome Rebozo style scarf into her hair to create the trademark hairstyle of two braids, which was then finished off with a halo of natural flowers, reminiscent of the sartorial icon's self-fashioning. The tablescape featured gorgeous floral designs by Wild About. The outstanding overhanging tree canopy across the length of the table featured different hues of blush roses and ranunculi, white Phalaenopsis orchids, hydrangeas, roses, Icelandic poppies and lilacs. On the table were clever groupings of more flowers in a combination of geometrical and modern vases, with white ceramic cacti and crystal candlesticks, topped with handmade blush and grey ombre' candlesticks. The ghost chairs, white wave pattern crockery, clear and colored crystal glasses and gold cutlery were from Couvert, and the specially commissioned elegant stationery was created by Plume Design. Each place setting also had edible jeweled cupcakes of love birds and hearts, a nod to the symbolisms that can be found in several Frida's paintings. In addition to the cupcakes, Elizabeth's Cake Emporium also created a trio of cakes for the shoot, including the watercolor and gold leafed statement cake, featuring a gold sacred heart and roses, ranunculi, hydrangeas, blossoms and gold leaves made from sugar. There was also a single tier all gold over painted cake topped with blush pink sugar flowers and a three-tier watercolor and gold cake decorated with a single statement sugar flower. All this was captured wonderfully by Roberta Facchini Photography, one of the most sought after luxury fine art photographers in the UK known for her ability in mixing old world romance and modern luxury.
Part two features Frida's Mexican identity as the passionate bride playing into her heritage and signature style. The starting point for this shoot was the hand embroidered and rich 'Frida' dress expertly crafted by Joanne Fleming Design featuring black with red embroidered flowers that fit the bill perfectly. She paired it with an authentic 1920s silk shawl which added a gorgeous sense of drama. Elizabeth Solaru of Elizabeth's Cake Emporium worked with Anna Fern Weddings for the planning and styling to create the very vibrant, colorful and luxurious portrayal. Kasia Fortuna and Sylwia Kunysz Bridal Make Up went for stronger colors on the model, with emphasis on the eyes and lips. The hair style featured a center parting and a scarlet scarf was woven into her hair and finished with flowers in the trademark Frida style. Very bold colors were also used to create a dramatic tablescape by florists Wild About. An overhanging tree canopy made up of red and dark pink roses, yellow ranunculi, Icelandic poppies, dark pink hydrangeas, green berries and cerise Phalaenopsis orchids shaded the table wonderfully. On the table were beautiful groupings of block colors of flowers mixed with cacti and gold candlesticks topped with neon pink, green and black candles. The cross back chairs, wooden table, black china, colored glasses and cutlery were from Couvert, whilst the specially created stationery was supplied by Plume Design. Each place setting also had a cupcake decorated with a realistic anatomical heart, in reference to those featured in a number of paintings by Frida. In addition to the cupcakes, Elizabeth's Cake Emporium also created a trio of cakes in black. The main cake featured a hand painted bottom tier and it was adorned with a double cascade of handmade multi-colored sugar flowers, sugar butterflies and sugar green leaves and berries, to match the florals. The second two tier cake had a rose gold bottom tier and a black top tier with a hand painted parrot. The third cake, single tiered featured a crackle effect and was topped with a crown of sugar roses and sugar leaves.