A Tess shoot in Flatonia

Hair and make-up, with models Emma and Rebecca. Have you ever noticed that you seem to need to open your mouth when applying eye make-up? Just me? Photographs by Mike Kopecky.

Out-takes showing sneak peeks at a couple of the dresses. Photographs by Mark Guerra. The jewellery was provided by Kendra Scott, and the hats by local milliner, Milli Starr.

On Sunday afternoon, the Tess team made a foray to Flatonia to shoot the Fall collection.

The ladies of Floy Farm Interiors hosted us in their vintage showroom and gift shop. A gorgeous old building - it was just beautiful, and they were so lovely (and patient!). The structure has three floors with a central opening all the way up to a skylight, and we took a lot of our photos on the very top floor, which has floor-to-ceiling arched windows. When the current owners bought the building, this top floor was boarded over - it must have been so exciting to uncover it. Very Nancy Drew.

I need a hat display stand like this. 

Mirrors and doilies.


(After typing this, I realised I had no idea where the word doily originated from. It turns out that it was the name of a London draper! Makes sense, right? The first recorded use of the word was in 1711. There are a few different spellings - D'Oyley, D'Oilie, Doyley, Doiley and more. I love the exuberantly varied spellings of the 17th and 18th centuries. Don't quite know how to spell it? No problem! Make a stab at it anyway. You're no worse off than anyone else.)

Tess dresses waiting their turn in the spotlight.

Lace and ribbon!

The whole town was so hospitable! I love Flatonia. It's chock-full of stunning old buildings and really wonderful people. Thanks again, everyone.

Stay tuned for the official Fall pictures soon!