Last week I shared our FAMILY MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT AMONGST THE LAVENDER FIELDS. By far one of my fondest memories of this 3rd pregnancy. I got the opportunity to collaborate with some amazing woman, all with the shared purpose of creating the most beautiful maternity sessions. One of the woman (and businesses) at the heart of it all was Angelique du Toit from Gelique Couture.

Gelique Couture, a proudly South African design house specialising in bridesmaid dresses and wedding attire. That was until recently. With the growing popularity of styled maternity photoshoots and pregnant mama’s desire to still look and feel amazing Gelique Couture has decided to expand their services to tend to the needs of mamas-to-be.

The first meeting

I had butterflies upon arriving at the Gelique Couture House in Faerie Glen, Pretoria. The last time I entered any type of design house was for our wedding day almost 10 years ago. The studio is stunning with friendly staff, pretty dresses, inviting fitting rooms and from the 1st moment I met with Angelique I knew I was in good hands and that she would make me look gorgeous. She made me feel comfortable and listened to all those pregnancy body concerns we mamas-in-the-making have. It was like having tea with a best friend that wants to bring out the best in you. After the exchanging of a few ideas, touching and “ooohing” over fabric samples and finishes we were on the same page. Now all that was left to do was take some measurements and the team could get to designing and making my spectacular creation…

The dress

I knew I wanted something striking and stylish but that would stand the test of time. Something a little more dramatic than usual with a bit of fun to it as well. Angelique recommended navy blue, which I’m so happy about – a colour I will definitely be wearing more. Her fabric choice was also fantastic, hugging the bump and hiding the extra “junk in my trunk”. The train added to this already long dress gave it the WOW factor and we couldn’t resist playing around with different poses highlighting this feature.

Beautiful detail

Angelique added a touch of boho charm with an off-the-shoulder, long frill neck-line. Cutting the frill shorter around the front, emphasising my preggy belly and keeping it longer at the back. I adore this look, so feminine and soft.From the 1st hello to the final fitting, Gelique Couture made me feel special and together we celebrated this pregnancy. An unforgettable experience and a couture dress, not just for myself but also our 2 girls, Eliana and Lia, but more on their dresses in a future post.

A little more about Gelique Couture

It all started 8 years ago on an overseas trip when Angelique discovered the convertible wrap dress. With no formal training but a huge love for fashion and sewing skills passed down from her gran, Angelique started making and selling these in South Africa. A small part-time business, started with a borrowed design has since grown into a design house designing their own dresses and patterns. Currently Gelique Couture stocks Bride and Co. as well as several other small boutiques and with a staff of 13,  a house turned design studio and a second branch opening in Johannesburg next month Gelique Couture is growing. Focussed on making Gelique Couture more accessible to anyone, anywhere in South Africa they are also currently working on a maternity range launching in the near future. I can’t wait to see what Angelique and the teamdo next!

You can visit Gelique Couture online here. Also stay up to date with what’s new by liking their Facebook page and following them on Instagram @geliqueonline.

Special thanks to Lavender SA for letting us explore and play in their beautiful fields of lavender. Thank you to Melissa Swart from Melissa Glam Bam for my gorgeous hair and make-up.  

PHOTO CREDIT | Chanel Oosthuizen from Chanel O Photography.