Lorraine Joseph

Anyone looking for that touch of class that only comes from someone who has an eye for detail, a unique eye for the individual client looking for that bespoke wedding dress, then look no further than St. Werburgh’s.

Lorraine Joseph’s eye for detail and her love of fashion led her into a world that opened up to her , the creativity which is her trademark today.

In the 70’s Lorraine worked in a boutique that fed her passion for fashion. But it was at collage where she was introduced to the world of dressmaking under the artful eye of her tutor who she still feel’s 45 years later, was her inspiration. Penny James taught Lorraine the skill’s that she still applies today.

Leaving collage with a Diploma in Design and dressmaking, Lorraine leaned on the family inheritance of creativity when her sister who was doing silk screen printing at the time, suggested she design and make some shirts. Initially, Lorraine would sell to friends but began to see the potential of a business opportunity.

Lorraine took the plunge and decided to leave the Boutique she worked in to concentrate on making shirts in the afternoon, while setting up a sandwich round in the mornings to support her new venture.

The popularity of her business selling shirts took off which gave Lorraine the opportunity to look further afield finding an opportunity to take on a stall in Clifton market .

Special occasion silk lingerie, Cravats, Bow Ties and Waistcoats all bespoke, became her trademark with a popular male clientele who had a particular way they wanted to look.

In 1990, Lorraine spied an opportunity and moved into her premises JoJo’s, on Queens Road in Clifton Bristol making the same attire untill by chance, she was asked to make a wedding dress for a popular TV celebrity at the time who walked into her shop wanting that special look.

This inspired Lorraine and with a shop to fill, Ballgowns and Wedding dresses became Lorraine’s unique selling point with clients coming from all over the country.

With the birth of Lorraine’s second daughter after 7 years, she decided to move the business into her studio space in St. Werburghs with the flexibility to become even more creative as a working mum.

Not stopping there, Lorraine took a teaching qualification enabling her to pass on her skills to others to this day which has seen many students over decades graduate under her watchful and skilful eye at Bristol Collage and at her Studio space in St. Werburgh’s.

An individual service is offered where she and the bride to be can look through Swatch cards and consider the look they want. Flexibility is there to work within the budget they have and can even co-ordinate the entire wedding party to realise the bride’s dream.

Lorraines’s goal is to build a good relationship with the bride to Beas her trust enables Lorraine to design and make a quality unique garment using all of her expertise and always, is honoured to give the bride, the dress of her dreams. With the last year and the pandemic affecting everyone, Lorraine is preparing for the wedding season with potential enthusiasm. Everyone needs a wedding dress!

Lorraine Delivers Studio Dressmaking and Textiles Classes in St Werburghs For more information Contact Lorraine on :

0117 9559766 07713364989 jojobridal@googlemail.com www.jojobridal.co.uk