I've just come across some old photos of some beading and embroidery I used to do as a part time job back in the late nineties for a label called Idol. Sadly Idol no longer exists, despite at the time having a section in Liberty that was second in size only to Ghost and also being stocked in stores like Harvey Nichols, I just don't think the numbers added up in the end. Designed by New Zealanders Kerrie Hughes, a CSM graduate, and Penny Meachin (who at the time was also somehow studying an architecture degree) all the clothes were made in a little studio under their shop in Soho. I wish I had taken some photos of the interior of the shop as it was really beautiful with an enormous winding golden tree surrounding a huge mirror as the centrepiece. I'm really glad to have found these photos again as I've never been able to find any images of their clothes online and I was convinced I'd lost them in a house move.
As you can see from the pictures all the dresses were highly embellished and very romantic with lots of beautiful silk, velvet and empire line dresses and feathers and floral beaded details.