Last Friday we had the pleasure of being invited to couture + love + madness Media Launch. We were invited to catch a glimpse of their brand-new collection for, named ‘La Vie En Rose’, which features items that look like they’re straight out of the Palace of Versailles. Fluttery pastel dresses and skirts beautifully designed by Cristina Tridente, a leading South Australian designer who had dressed celebrities including Dannii Minogue, Lucy Durack, Michala Banas and Ali Oetjen. Cristina has finally opened up a studio in Norwood to showcase her beautiful creations as well as to create a personalised experience for her clients.

couture + love + madness’s new studio provides clients with an all new personal experience. No expense is spared for the client to find their perfect dress for an event. With a focus on red-carpet, formal and now bridal, couture + love + madness is the place to go for something elegant as well as unique. Their new collection features feminine and immensely detailed designs, with shades of pale pinks, avocado, soft coral and silver, there is a colour to suit everyone. Each piece is hand-crafted in the new Norwood studio and utilises the highest quality materials from around the world. Cristina works very closely with each of her clients to create the perfect experience and garment.

“Highlight pieces for me include the ‘Olivia’ dress, which features hundreds of hand-dyed feathers in shades of avocado, white and pale peach, each cut and sewn into delicate flowers, finished with pearl and crystal centres. But the grand finale piece, the ‘Rose’ Dress, is adorned with thousands of laser-cut organza petals, cascading into a billowing skirt with over 30 metres of fabric. ‘Rose’ is completed with its hand pleated tulle bodice and velvet highlights.” Said Cristina on her favourite pieces from her ‘La Vie En Rose’ collection.

At the launch, we were treated to cocktails from Ambra Liqueurs, luxuriously creamy cupcakes from The Cupcake Lady and two spectacular cakes from Cristarella Cakes. The cocktails were brilliantly pink in colour and had the taste of fresh lemon sorbet. A dash of cranberry juice and a sprig of mint made the drinks fruity and summery. The cupcakes were almost too beautiful to eat and had light and fluffy icing. Cristarella Cakes have outdone themselves with towering pastel pink and white cakes sporting couture + love + madness’ lettering in diamantes.

The new shop, located on The Parade in Norwood, will also stock Cristina’s new label Tridente, which was created from her studies at Central Saint Martin’s in 2017. Tridente has a more architectural aesthetic and was launched at the 2018 Adelaide Fashion Festival.

couture + love + madness has been open to the public since Saturday the 2nd of February. Visit their website to book your own personal experience with Cristine and find your perfect outfit for your event, or visit their store in person to view their amazing new collection. We thank Cristina for letting us view her gorgeous new studio and wish her luck in her new business!

Words by Kitty Barr

WHERE: 258 The Parade, Norwood