I got to know designer Natalie Gladman at Madeline Isaac James a couple of years ago from bumping into her at various bridal trade shows, and had the opportunity to get to know her even better after she commissioned us to do her new website (which is of course a thing of beauty… *modest cough*). Seriously though, we’re pretty proud of it – it has cool effects and uses some of the latest in web technology. Anyway, that is NOT the point of this post, for those of you whose eyes are now glazing over.
When I think of fashion designers, I tend to imagine slightly frosty, uber-fashionably dressed, look-you-up-and-down divas who can shrivel your brain back into infancy with a stare. So I’ve always been of two minds about whether I wanted fashion designers as web design customers – the sleepless nights and weeks of counselling didn’t really seem worth it. BUT WAS I WRONG OR WHAT. I’ve since dealt with two bridal fashion designers, one of whom was Natalie, and both experiences have been so pleasant, they’ve set the bar as Clients-Who-You-Normally-Only-Dream-Of. The second designer is a bit under wraps at the moment, but I’ll talk about them in a few weeks once their new site is launched.
Natalie told me a story about one of her MIJ brides that sums up how beautiful her gowns are. This particular bride, (due to be getting married within the month) was driving past the Madeline Isaac James Farnborough boutique when she spotted one of Natalie’s designs in the shop window. Screeching to a stop, she ran into the shop and breathlessly insisted on trying on the sample in the window, which she fell instantly in love with. She’d already bought her wedding dress, but ended up buying the MIJ dress to wear instead…!
I got an email from Emma Payne about her new bridalwear boutique – in her own words…
“We have just opened a luxury bridal boutique on Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge providing a bespoke made to measure service. We showcase three bridal collections: Ana Cristache, La Sposa (part of Pronovias) and our own signature luxury collection as well as a wonderful range of bridal accessories.
We offer a very personal service so each design within the collection is very adaptable – the bride can have the silk of her choice and apply changes to the design.”
I get lots of boutiques wanting me to blog about them, but what’s got me intrigued with this one is the gorgeous photo of their own embroidered organza full length coat (see left) which is extraordinarily pretty. Emma’s collection is currently in production so no photos yet, but if the coat is anything to go by, I’m excited! She’s going to send me some pictures when it’s done, so I’ll keep you lot posted.
I’ve commented previously about Spanish designers – there are a plethora of formidably good fashionistas from Spain who I am quite sure flourish from consistently good weather, amazing scenery and a diet of extremely yummy food. Yes, Spain is on my list of favourite holiday destinations!
Anyway, that is completely beside the point. I’ve just stumbled across some extremely lovely wedding dresses that are targeted at a slightly lower budget (around £1,000) from Two by Rosa Clara. Now what’s got me really excited is that the same fashion house also does tops to go over your gown to give it a completely different look, so you can switch it up during the big day and really confuse your guests. I actually prefer the look of the gowns with the tops on, but anyway, here’s a taster. Make sure you take a proper look through their website – I can’t really do it all justice on here.
There’s a trend you may have seen that’s been around a while in the bridal fashion world. Gowns are designed with material flowers placed in various places for maximum effect. While I’ve seen this overdone outrageously on occasion (and I’ll be the first to admit that my tastes tend toward less fussy lines), I do love how pretty some of the designs are. So, eye candy for both you and me to enjoy:
I had a very brief chat with Sharon Bowen at last years wholesale bridal show – she was an incredibly nice, decent person. I have a confession to make – I sometimes get majorly intimidated by highfalutin wedding fashion designers (which may well say more about me than about them… insecure etc etc. OK, shut up already.) But there are some in the industry that have a knack for putting people at ease – worries about having spinach stuck in your teeth, or frumpy hair, or being so downright ordinary in the face of glamour fade into the background whilst in their company!
So basically, Sharon Bowen is nice. And extraordinarily talented – her dresses are very very classy. Check out her website for more eye-candy.
Well that’s a freaky coincidence. I spotted an ad with a wedding dress so lovely it made my eyes ache, looked up the advertised web address and realised that it’s a new ready to wear range by Alan Hannah – how exciting! Apologies internet for two Alan Hannah posts in a row, but it was an accident, honest.
Anyway. MiaMia Bridal. What can I say, but “Wow!”. Go look yourself if you don’t believe me. MiaMia Bridal »
Alan Hannah has also sent me a couple of shots from their latest collection called English Romantics due out very soon (thanks Alan!). Oh, I’m exceedlingly smitten with the flower neckline number on the right.
I received a heads-up late last year from Alan Hannah – they’re in the middle of photographing their new collection for 2010, (which isn’t on their website just yet… but soon, apparently. Patience is a virtue, and all that. I’m the most patient person in the world. WOULD YOU HURRY UP ). Anyway, their ad is apparently running on Wedding TV (you may have seen it) – it’s very pretty, and deserves more than the 260 views it currently has on YouTube!
I’ve stumbled across Veromia a few times in my travels, thought they had very pretty gowns but nothing that really inspired me to blog, but my word, Jason Jennings has come up trumps with this lovely vision of a wedding dress – absolutely exquisite. This would be an inspired choice for any bride who doesn’t want white, and the combination of brown and pink (which sounds really quite foul – “Yes, I’m getting married in brown and pink”…!, but in this dress is simply gorgeous) would suit a lot of different complexions.
I avoid posting about US designers simply because this blog is really for UK readers, and it seems a bit pointless waxing lyrical over designers who are fairly inaccessible to Brit brides, unless they’re into jetting off overseas for the sake of their big day.
Carolina Herrera is one of those US designers who I’ve heaved wistful sighs over – she has utterly gorgeous wedding gowns that make me drool on every perusal. So after another idle glance through her website this morning, I discovered (to my delight) that Browns Bridal is the sole stockist in the UK, so if you too were longing for a Carolina Herrera gown, you’re now officially in luck, and you’ll only need to go as far as London.
I was excited to see that Charlotte Balbier has posted on her blog some images (admittedly small, but I’m guessing things are still a little under wraps until the official launch) of her 2010 collction – looks fabulously girlishly pink. You can follow her on Twitter too.
I got an email from Emma Payne about her new bridalwear boutique – in her own words…
