Bridal Inspiration 2023

 

Brides often only hear a year later what is on trend. But in the world of fashion designers and manufacturers are deciding what direction they want to go in. I try to predict what folk are going to be looking for in the future. 

I'm lucky because I can design and make what we want there and then, it means I can help my brides to be ahead of the retailers.

Expert advice on the hottest trends withe photos and updates on the latest fabrics are thankfully at my fingertips. years of bring in the Bridal world means that I get up to date information from the top people in the wedding world. 

Icons and game changers help with the latest trends and inspiration.

However ultimately we can be influenced but it's what we do with what inspires us. 

 Vera Wang designs

So last night we had the Oscars' and this Vera Wang dress catch my eye. The diagonal pleats on the hip area are so flattering, even that bit of a break between the bodice and the skirt appeals to me. There is something with the black hair, black choker and the black bodice in contrast to the orange colour that makes a strong statement.
Personally the bodice isn't quite long enough for me, I think it would have been more elegant to be longer.
Fascinating for me, it seems that last night it was often Vera wang dresses that appealed to me. What was your favourite?

This dress I liked the back but not the front. Strong contrast colours seemed to dominate the night. Flowing trains and splits were evident. 

I have just finished a formal dress for one of my flower girls from a few years ago. 

Cody knew what she wanted so I just had to listen to her.

She wanted a cerise satin dress with a slit at her leg for freedom of movement and a cross over back to keep her dress secure as she enjoyed her night. Just goes to show Cody wasn't far from what we saw on the Oscars' red carpet tonight.

"Have a Heart"

Is it just the time of year or am I always thinking of hearts. I like to think of the idea that when you join three hearts it makes a shamrock, one of my favourite characters in my work. I think of it as the brides family and the grooms family coming together to make a new family.

It's that Time of Year for the London fashion Week, so it's good that I can follow the latest trends on social media.

It's also the week, a year ago, that Russia invaded Ukraine and our lives have been over shadowed with the doom of the war.

Thankfully following Ukrainian designers on the internet has been a way of keeping my spirits up. The people of Ukraine have so inspired me with their amazing resilience and bravery. 

I am in awe of their brilliance.

Fashion, design and creativity is the heartbeat in Ukraine. Fashion is a business but it can also be a powerful platform to communicate with people in All Parts of the World.

The Ukrainian people have made it their mission to show the Rest of the World the Truth about what happens there!!

"Together we can prevent this from having any more people loses and destruction. 

Ukrainian designers have Joined the War Efforts!!

Beyonce and Sam Smith have championed a Ukrainian designer who has caught my eye.

His name is Ivan Frolov from Kyiv and along with the Ukrainian mantra "we can go through anything we are strong and united" they are successfully fighting the wars news front line.

Frolov has a team of 35 employees and from the start of the invasion they have done their best to support each other mentally and financially.

Right now most of the team are in Paris working on projects to raise funds for their countries needs and to spread the Truth and narrative about Ukraine.

Frolov " I try to use every second of my life to do something useful"

" What helps me hold on is a deep faith in our victory and Hard work. Regarding the brand, we are focusing on two main things right now. First is taking care of each team member and keep our company afloat. Another is helping our country in winning this terrific battle."

" During the first weeks of the war, it was impossible for me to create at all, I just couldn't take a pencil into my hands. It was unrealistic to concentrate and it only got worse when the horrific facts of the Ukrainian genocide in Bucha and other cities were revealed"

So he started the FROLOV HEART. a limited collection of white and black sweatshirts and t-shirts embroidered with Hearts hand sewn and beadwork.

Each heart is hand sewn and unique, and a t- shirt or sweat shirt can be bought AND THE PROFITS FROM THE SALES ARE BUILDING MODULAR HOUSES within the nest project by Serhiy Prytula charity foundation while also providing jobs to crafts people!!!

Shop for your heart @frolovheart.com

The Latest from the Bridal industry on the newest trends for 2024

"Come fly with me"

I have always loved watching the birds in my garden. Every morning there is one there to say "Hello"

You will have seen some of my work with embroidered birds, from simple outline stitching to more intense elaborate embroidery.

Recently I noticed birds appearing on the couture catwalks, so I thought I would share the latest trends with you.

"Birds flying high you know how I feel" inspiration from a song maybe!

"Love is in the Air"

"Let your idea out of the bag"

"Dare to Dream"

"Icons in the Spotlight"

"Fresh Trends for 2023"

Short bridal dresses seem to be a thing for 2023.

What's on trend that the bridal shops are buying for 2024?

Bodices with a straight across line rather than the sweetheart line?

Sleeves still a Big thing in some form or another.

Bows?

Do you ever see a dress in a picture and think well I like a notion of this but not quite the same as that. Or maybe you have been to a wedding dress shop and liked a part of an idea but need someone like me to make it the way you want. Well then why not come and meet me to discuss your ideas to see if its possible. 

History is being made today in London as Zelensky visits the capital. He thanked us the Northern Irish for our support and help so far with the invasion of the Russians into their country, jeopardising freedom and democracy. He appealed for "Wings of Freedom" While recently Miss Ukrainian Universe sold her wings to raise funds for the crisis.

Who needs a needless war when we have a natural disaster to cope with since the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria?

Let us All sew the seeds of Love and "Give Peace a Chance!!"

"Spread Peace and Love"

"Love can Conquer All"

Princess Beatrice chooses vintage, Norman Hartnell, for her wedding dress

For those of you who want to know more about the designer Hartnell here are some facts. 

Norman Hartnell was born in London on June 12, 1901. His parents owned a pub, the Crown & Sceptre, but he never much talked about that as an adult—pubs weren't exactly popular among his well-to-do clients. He caught the fashion bug while studying at Cambridge, first creating costumes for the Footlights Dramatic Club.

Having found his calling, he dropped out of university to pursue it, leveraging the connections he made at the elite university to find upper-class clients. At the beginning of his career, he quickly found his footing as a society designer. It wasn't long before he'd found international success, catering to both silver screen stars and high-society ladies.

In 1935, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester asked Hartnell to create her wedding dress, as well as looks for her bridesmaids. Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were among those bridesmaids, and their mother took a particular liking to Hartnell's designs. From then on, Hartnell would be a favorite of the Queen Mother's; she awarded him a Royal warrant in 1940, signifying his importance.

The Queen chose Hartnell two create the two most memorable designs she's ever worn, in 1947 and her 1953 coronation gown. In 1957, he was awarded his second Royal Warrant, this time as a dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth.

Hartnell didn't just design dresses for the monarch's biggest moments; he created many of the garments she wore to the more ordinary formal events on her royal calendar. The dress that Princess Beatrice would eventually wear to her own wedding has been worn by the Queen on at least three occasions, ending in the mid-1960s: a state dinner in Rome, the premiere of Lawrence of Arabia, and the 1966 State Opening of Parliament.

The Queen wasn't the only Windsor besides the Queen Mother who became a devoted client. Princess Margaret enlisted him to design, her royal wedding dress too.

Below are some photos of him at work and his designs.

I think my favourite part of the story is that years later Beatrice decided to re vape the dress.

My understanding is that the designer Stewart Parvin and the Queens dressmaker Angela Kelly restyled the dress for Beatrice.  You can see in this last photo that a band of satin was used to make it longer.  They added organza sleeves for Beatrices look on her special day. For me the sentiment means more than anything. What are your views on  her 

choice of dress?