Here Come the Brides

Here Come the Brides

For those I haven’t seen or spoken with since the beginning of 2016, I’d like to wish you a very Happy New Year – with good health, and many happy occasions to look forward to.

January began with a self-imposed commitment to design a new collection of wedding dresses, for the special show that I was invited to attend at the Shangri-La, At The Shard. Therefore, we had hardly a break over the Festive Season – and are now deep with commissions for this summer’s events, weddings, holidays, and working wardrobes.

We set up my online shop last December with accessories (SHOP NOW), and recently we’ve been shooting new designs, the lovely cashmere knit collections from Magaschoni and Warm&Co, and sample garments.  The online shop is being added to week by week, so if you can’t make a visit to Chelsea, do take a look at the lovely pieces.  Many of the winter accessories and samples are now on sale……… It’s still chilly – so you’re sure to find the perfect bargain.

Thinking ahead, I’m looking forward to my third year teaching tailoring at West Dean College, near Chichester, 14-19 August. My course, “Make Your Own Tweed Jacket” has a few places available, so if you fancy brushing up on your sewing and tailoring skills, AND creating a beautiful jacket to wear, book your place soon.

Lust-Have Wedding Dresses

So often, I have design ideas in my head, waiting for a window of free time to work on the patterns, and bring the dresses to reality.  Being invited as a key partner at the Shangri-La Wedding Event gave me a good kick to make the time for a few new wedding  dresses.

Since the exhibition of Grace Kelly’s clothes at the V&A in 2010, I’ve held in my mind one of her dresses, made from a beautiful dark ivory guipure lace, stunning in it’s utter simplicity, perfection of applique technique – and I’m sure overlooked by the many viewers.

Here is my version of that look, made from one of my favourite French lace designs, which is heavily beaded all over. 

One of the most beautiful features is the hem scalloped all around the edge.  It took hours of hand applique work by Maria to achieve this finish – see the video clip.

For bit of fun, and a new contemporary design, here is a new take on my ever popular ViVi style.  

Made from bias cut ivory silk marocain crepe, it has a ‘petal’ trim all over the bodice, making a stunning show piece!  The ‘petals’ grow up the skirt, and have a lovely movement when worn. My inspiration was the 60’s swimming hats. It has a ‘petal’ trim, inspired by 1969’s French floral bathing caps, all over the bodice.

Many of my brides want to let their hair down and party, after the more formal part of their wedding.  Here’s one idea that I’ve had in my mind for some time, and a new fishtail style, made in off white French corded lace.

Some manage to successfully bustle their trains up for dancing……… but here’s a way to keep the wedding dress, and be free to move…………. with a fishtail that discreetly unzips, leaving a sexy little lace number, so the bride can dance the night away.

Lace Effect Knits, and Colourful Ponchos from Magaschoni

Here are the beautiful Magaschoni knits, the first pieces to arrive for Spring in store, and online.

I fell in love with the Burnout collection straight away, I think because of the resemblance to lace, with elegant fall and fluidity.  They are timeless pieces, and the colours – black and ivory – are classy and fabulous.

We have four styles:

Poncho (£285.00). A very chic cover-up, which can be worn and draped in several ways. 

Shawl (£260.00). A new take on the pashmina, and a piece that will be in your wardrobe for ever.

V-Neck Pull (£257.50). Oh so easy…….. Just dress it up or down, as you wish.

Waterfall Cardi (£340.00). A longer line, elegant cover up.

To add a splash of colour for bright Spring days or evenings, here is the classic cashmere poncho, but in eye-catching shades (£175.00).

Shangri-La Brides

I was flattered to be the bridal designer chosen for the Shangri-La, At The Shard’s prestigious and exclusive wedding event, and it was the perfect opportunity to create stunning new wedding dresses. This all happened on the 34th Floor of The Shard, commanding fabulous views across much of London by day and night, and accompanied by select wedding professionals.

My gorgeous models, hostesses Moira and Rebecca, really loved wearing my designs, and it shows!

Thank you to the Events team at the Shangri-La, for making our time there so special, and giving the opportunity to meet potential clients, the best wedding planners, magazines and bloggers. Here are a few memories from the show: 

Cakes by Rosalind Miller

Hats by Edwina Ibbotson

Stationery by Grosvenor Stationery Company

Music by Gary Parkes

 Kylie, enjoying the view.

All images are provided by Lorna Elizabeth.

Alfie’s thought for the day

“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind”. C.S. Lewis