ABOUT
Catharina Eden has worked in the garment industry all her life. She had an eponymous cocktail dress brand and set up a small volume clothing manufacturing company called Eden Studio, where she had her first costume commission for the London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony. She then sold that factory to its current owners and set up My Eden to replace the RTW clothing line making bespoke bridal. Currently My Eden has evolved into what she calls her Curious Atelier, where anything can be made and your wish is her command.
Photo from on set of The Hourglass
Sometimes back stage, sometimes quietly sewing in the studio, sometimes on set, sometimes dressing the bride. Whatever the job at hand (literally!) Catharina is quick to be useful and very much focussed on the end result.
Photos from Barnsley House and on set at The Daily Mail
For more information on Catharina's training and background, please download her CV from the button below.
I have always lived and breathed clothing and after studying at Central St Martins I started out hand sewing at Ben de Lisi. Then, I was lucky enough to work at Alexander McQueen where I drafted patterns, cut and sewed - an amazing experience. It gave me the confidence to set up my own bespoke evening wear company making cocktail dresses for private clients from my studio in South London. Soon after this I set up a garment manufacturing unit called Eden Studio primarily to manufacture my own orders, but word soon got out and eventually manufacturing took over and we made samples and small production for clients such as Allegra Hicks, Emilia Wikstead, Dunhill and Mary Katrantzou. We also made over 200 costumes for the 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, which was my first experience in making costumes. I sold the factory in 2013 to pursue my chosen road in couture.
I absolutely adore working with luxurious fabrics and apply the craft I have learnt over the years, but I also thrive on delivering show stopping dresses for clients on tight timescales, which is often the case for TV and stage. The Daily Mail fashion desk is probably my most time limited client though with generally a 24h turnaround from phone call to photoshoot! I also had the absolute pleasure of working in the costume department for hit TV series Bridgerton on season 2 and The Nevers.
I am hugely inspired by nature. I grew up in Finland and am at my happiest and spiritually fulfilled when surrounded by nature. When I lived in London I'd head to St James Park most days and now that we have moved to the leafy Cotswolds, I feel very content. When it comes to my work I get a real buzz backstage on photoshoots and interpreting scripts for movies, but for my private clients that I design and make for, it is undoubtedly my customers that inspire me. I can envisage shapes and the flow of a dress on a person and during fittings I do let my intuitive side take part too.
Photo of Catharina by Zaki Charles Photography
Thank you so much
"I absolutely loved working with Catharina, from start to finish. Not only did she make me the most beautiful wedding dress, but she was a total joy to work with. So calm and reassuring at a time in your life that can be quite stressful. I have to say, I really loved the whole process and feel like I had a really special dress journey. From the very start I knew I wasn’t going to find what I wanted in a traditional bridal shop, nor did I want to pay their ridiculous prices for something I knew would ultimately be a compromise. I felt quite strongly that I knew the shapes and styles that suited my figure and that I wouldn’t quite find that in a pre made dress, so my only option would be to get something made. I felt it was a bit of a gamble but one I knew would pay off if I could find the right person to work with, and Catharina was that person. She’s a true expert - she’s got a fabulous eye and fantastic knowledge of fabrics, trims etc. Right from the get-go I felt she knew the look I was trying to achieve and absolutely nailed it!!!! Thank you so much for making my experience so special. Xxxxx."
Camilla, London
Heartfelt thank you
“I just loved the dress, everyone was blown away by it! Thank you so, so much for all of your creativity and hard work. It was always such a pleasure dealing with you, and I would recommend you to people in a heartbeat.”
Caoimhe, Rome
