The latest news in the wedding world, right here, right now…
WATCH OUT FOR… LOIS WILD
Jane Hancock and Christine Wilke, the talented design duo who brought you LouLou and Louise Bentley have turned their attention, 100%, to a new label, Lois Wild, a contemporary twist on vintage that the team are best known for. There are three collections:
Mode centres on clean lines and romantic details. Soft tulles, lace appliqués and silk organza feature, as well as crisp mikado, and deluxe satin. RRP is pegged at £1,000 to £1,400.
Lavish is a boutique collection of exquisitely beaded dresses embellished with colour-enhanced embroidery and textured with flowers and pearls. Prices here go from £1,200 to £2,000.
Vivacious is designed for the curvy bride, where well-structured bodices with extra boning play up the positives. The size range is 18-34 and price range is £1,000-£1,700.
The girls opened a dozen new accounts at Harrogate.
+44 (0)20 3432 5703
loiswild.co.uk
NOT TO BE MISSED
La Poésie Bridal is a new label and one with huge promise. French Levers lace, embroidered silk organza, silk chiffon and a lush heavy silk crepe feature in the latest collection dressed with appliqued flowers and 3-d shimmer. The brand was launched just over a year ago during New York Bridal Week and attracted an instant network of stockists from the US, Asia and Europe. The collection is proudly made here in the UK – in design-trendy East London and can be viewed at the company’s atelier. Monika Kashimbaya is the talent behind the brand and she is as cool as the gowns she creates.
+44 (0)20 8533 5520
lapoesie.co.uk
SAY IT WITH FLOWERS
Award-winning designer Veni Infantino wanted to produce a real show stopper for Spring 19. She told us: “Spring means flowers, new life and new beginnings, and for brides it is no different. I wanted to create a floral dress full of vibrant, yet delicate 3D flowers and foliage – which are very on trend now! The gown – Celestina – is made up of layers of tulle and soft net with embroidery and is lovely and bouncy when worn. I really can’t wait to see it on real brides! Since the gown was launched at The Harrogate Bridal show it has been all over Instagram!”
Celestina is also available in ivory or white, but hey, the colour is just gorgeous… a great window piece!
+44 (0)1636 700 889
ronaldjoyce.com
ALLURE BRIDALS
US firm Allure Bridals contacted its stockists in the UK last week (4 October) with the surprise announcement that its relationship with its distributors here had been terminated. However, while the UK, Ireland and Europe will be serviced by Allure itself ongoing, questions relating to existing orders should be directed through SB’s offices. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
Future Allure contact details are:
Lindsay Bradshaw
US: +1 901 384 2817
lindsay@allurebridals.com
Roberto Fissore
Italy: +39 34 62 279066
Spain: +34 66 36 19031
roberto.f@allurebridals.com
FROM INSIDE OUT
Bianco Evento is one of those companies that never fails to delight. It starts with undies –shape-making bras, waist-cinchers and petticoats – moves on to a brilliant selection of dresses and separates, and then adds all the right finishing touches from shoes, under its Avalia label, to hair accessories, jewellery and veils. The latest line up of gowns offers some gorgeous boho styles with softly flowing skirts and fine cotton lace highlights; elegant, underplayed body-skimming gowns with boat necklines or off-the-shoulder sleeves, and this the new season’s have-to-have… jump suits.
Check out more at bianco-evento.de
SIMPLE SAYS IT ALL
This elegant little number from The House of Nicholas relies on streamline cut, and just a hint of detail, to make a huge style statement. This is what chic is all about but then after 60 years of making beautiful bridal gowns, you’d expect the very best from this maker.
+44 (0)20 8802 1399
thehouseofnicholas.co.uk
DEMETRIOS DOES IT AGAIN
Graceful and chic, subtle and daring, those are the key messages from Demetrios, the brand that believes that fashionable and fierce can be conveyed with charm. The new collection from Illissa Fashion Group has all of those attributes and they come together in sleek, beautifully structured lines, sumptuous fabrics, and layers of intricate detailing. We love this mermaid gown (clever to shoot it at sea!) where the finely-worked cascades of layered wisps of tulle give the impression of a flurry of feathers.
Check out all the other goodies in the Grace Chic collection. demetrios.com or email eleni@ilissafashiongroup.com
PRINTS CHARMING
We feature ‘Six of the Best Prints’ on page 56 of this issue but of course we were running ahead of ourselves and have come up with more amazing stories of pattern and colour since we pressed the ‘go’ button. Flowers and graphics are big news – not together, of course – and few designers do it better that Olvi’s, which has been one of our very favourite labels for many a year.
Signature stretchy French lace really does do slenderising magic, but it is the sheer detail bravado that makes every dress stand out. The new collection makes a point of being different, combining layers and textures, prints and plains, and a wild range of colours.
Call Roger at Well-Connected Agent, to be further impressed.
+44 (0)7809 870561
olvis-lace.com
ALL TOGETHER NOW
Victoria Kay Gowns is very much a collection of collections, with a selection of labels in its portfolio that represent all the newest looks. With flowers and prints and ballgowns featuring on many current wishlists, this dress from the Signature range – it is style 1739 for those who want instant info – combines them all. The fine top layer of ivory tulle floats over the pink flower print (which also comes in a soft blue) and the sweetheart neckline is cut to flatter. Retailing at just £899, we reckon brides in search of the ultra-feminine will fall in love at first try on.
+44 (0)1424 439165
signature.victoriakay.co.uk
TOP TOES
New for 2019, Rainbow Club has partnered with award-winning designer Ivory & Co to create a range of gorgeous accessories. The collaboration features an exclusive wedding shoe and shoe clips, each made to match Ivory & Co’s stunning headdresses and tiaras. Take a look at Willow (a classic ivory satin court in sizes 3-8 and retailing at £149) as a beautiful example.
+44 (0)1392 207030
rainbowclub.co.uk
FOR VERY WELL-DRESSED BLOKES
With grooms becoming evermore fashion conscious, it was inevitable that trend-setting brands would introduce seasonal style stories. Benetti has focused on colour and texture (think tweeds), and plains and checks to create a small, tightly-coordinated collection. The cut is slim, jackets are shorter, and linings are the hidden treasures. Think blue.
+44 (0)1622 873434
harpersmenswear2@ gmail.com
Benetti.ie
ATTENTION GETTERS
We asked award-winning Essense of Australia, what they found was most in demand at Harrogate in September from their leading collections. From Stella York, far right, it was style 6758 in matte mikado, RRP £1,199; from the Martina Liana collection, the star number was style 1078, right, a lace and tulle fit-and-flare gown with an RRP of £2,599; and from Essense of Australia style D2752, a lovely lace and tulle strapless A-line, RRP £1,599. We’ve seen the whole collection and there are many more winners waiting for you.
+44 0800 961140
essensedesigns.com