A dress made from hi-vis vests has been the talk of the construction industry recently, much to the delight of a city seamstress.

The eye-catching outfit was made from six extra-large, fluorescent orange vests by Hannah Wilde, who takes on both intricate and unusual projects in her varied and skilled work.  

Norwich Evening News: Kelly Cartwright said she feels more comfortable in her hi vis and boots Kelly Cartwright said she feels more comfortable in her hi vis and boots (Image: Kelly Cartwright)

Hannah, 48, started her business in 2013 and in January this year opened her own shop in Sandy Lane, Lakenham, specialising in bridal and evening wear.

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And she has perfected one of the hardest skills in textiles.  

Norwich Evening News: She enjoys making sentimental homeware She enjoys making sentimental homeware (Image: Hannah Wilde)

Hannah said: “Bridal is very complex to alter due to the intricacies of the beading and lace work and some do not realise that altering is a lot harder than making from scratch.”  

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It is these skills that Hannah touched upon when designing and making the hi-vis ball gown ahead of the National Federation of Builders’ Top 100 Influential Women in Construction Awards.

Norwich Evening News: Hannah Wilde seamstress,48 has a shop in Sandy Lane Hannah Wilde seamstress,48 has a shop in Sandy Lane (Image: Hannah Wilde)

Kelly Cartright, who owns Norwich-based specialist construction recruitment firm Core Recruiter, is often up for awards but when she said she felt more comfortable in her hi-vis and steel toe-capped boots, it sparked the stereotype challenging dress.  

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But there is so much Hannah enjoys making – including when she made headbands for NHS workers during Covid.  

Norwich Evening News: Hannah recently made some boxing shorts for her son in honour of his friend who took his own life last year Hannah recently made some boxing shorts for her son in honour of his friend who took his own life last year (Image: Hannah Wilde)

She said: “My daughter is a carer and it initially started as her ears were sore from the elastic on the masks and I made her a headband with buttons on to relieve the pain caused and it kind of spiralled into me making about 12,000 of them for other people.  

Norwich Evening News: The hi vis ball gown was worn by award winning city female builder Kelly Cartwright The hi vis ball gown was worn by award winning city female builder Kelly Cartwright (Image: Hannah Wilde)

“It allowed me to work with fun fabrics of all colours and prints which I don’t get to do much with bridal.” 

Hannah recently made some boxing shorts for her son's boxing match in honour of a friend who took his own life last year and, similarly, she also takes loved ones' clothing to make keepsakes.  

Norwich Evening News: Hannah Wilde also makes keepsakes using family members clothing Hannah Wilde also makes keepsakes using family members clothing (Image: Hannah Wilde)

And seeing Kelly's dress receive so much praise has proved particularly satisfying, adding: "The response has been amazing and so positive towards not just the dress and its design but the meaning behind it. 

"I have had enquiries from across the country about making similar for other people and have had a lot of bookings coming in for next year's wedding season following the dress being seen online."