Wednesday, March 18, 2015

1960s William Cahill Wedding Dress for fabulous vintage bride Carolyn.

Dear Reader
This week's Real Vintage Bride is darling Carolyn…
For her Hambleden wedding to Jim, Carolyn chose this fabulous 1960s mini wedding dress, by iconic 60s designer William Cahill. 
The dress is a perfect example of swinging 60s style - in gorgeous lace with a flattering wide boat neck and swingy cape back. What a groovy bride!
We knew this was the right dress for Carolyn as soon as she tried it. In her words…
"I wanted to say a huge thank you for my beautiful Cahill dress. From the moment I tried it on it felt just right for the feel of for the wedding we wanted – beautiful and fun all at once. And I  especially love that it came from such an important time for women.
The whole experience of  choosing and fitting the dress with you and seamstress Grace was absolutely wonderful. Thank you again for being such a positive part of the whole wedding planning experience.” 
Handsome groom Jim was rather fabulous too in his traditional kilt – perfect for a cosy country wedding...
Their day looks wonderful down to the last details. From Carolyn's teal fur wrap, perfectly toning with Jim's tartan, and even with the scrumptious nature-inspired cake made by talented bridesmaid Jenny!

And of course, one of the big advantages of a mini wedding dress – aside from being extremely fabulous and groovy – is there's no holding back on the dance floor!
Happy days. Congratulations Carolyn and Jim!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

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Friday, March 13, 2015

Friday Inspiration: Alexander McQueen

Dear Reader,
It's not all work–work–work here at Vintage Wedding Dress Towers, you know! Everyone needs to hit the pause button now and then, to look around and get inspired...

So today – for the first in a series of 'Friday Inspiration' posts – I'd like to share these two fab (and short) videos on fashion genius Alexander McQueen.

McQueen was a huge fan of vintage fashion and often referred back to it in his work. His amazing fashions are explored in a new exhibition at the V&A – The Museum of Savage Beauty – opening tomorrow. Can't wait to see it!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

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High Fashion Meets Vintage at the Met Ball




Monday, March 9, 2015

A 1940s-style vintage wedding dress for a cool Spring day.

Dear Reader, 
Choosing a vintage wedding dress for an English spring wedding can be a challenge. Of course, it must be gorgeous and glamorous. But it also needs to cover enough skin for our goosebump-inducing climate!
1940s style wedding dress, Florence with long satin sleeves
1940s style wedding dress, Florence, from the Heavenly Collection
Actually, I love winter and spring weddings. They're a great opportunity to wear elegant long sleeves and high necks that may simply be too hot in summer. And with this in mind, I've recently made some updates to the Florence dress from my Heavenly Collection of vintage-inspired wedding dresses
The original Florence vintage-style wedding dress, with puff sleeves
Vintage wedding dress with long sleeves and keyhole back
1940s style Florence wedding dress – new keyhole back detail.
This lovely new Florence has long satin sleeves, set into beautifully detailed shoulders. And the glamour quota stays high with the addition of a subtly sexy keyhole back – just enough to reveal a glimpse of skin.
1940s style wedding dress - full-length image with long sleeves
Long and elegant, 1940s style Florence wedding dress in silk satin
1940s style wedding dress, from the waist up showing puffed sleeves and v neckline
Puff sleeves and pretty lace detail at neck of 1940s style wedding dress
Florence dress from the Heavenly Collection, bodice and sleeves
And with lace flutter sleeves – 1940s style wedding dress, Florence
I've also introduced a stunning new colour, Sea Pearl – that positively glows in the light of a cold day.
1940s style wedding dress, Florence, with flutter sleeves
Flutter sleeves on 1940s style Florence wedding dress
1940s style wedding dress, Florence - original version
Long and elegant, with simple puffed sleeves: 1940s style wedding dress
A spring cover-up in white feathers over vintage wedding dress
Marabou feather wrap, perfect for a winter or spring vintage-style wedding
Spring and winter weddings also offer a wonderful choice of vintage accessories. Feathers or fur? Winter blooms in icy hues, or freshest spring flowers? The options are so romantic.
Frosted bouquet of pale early spring flowers
Late winter blooms, eucalyptus, pale roses and frosted berries
Perfect over a vintage wedding dress, a feathered wrap or shrug
Swan feather wedding cape – perfect with a vintage wedding dress for spring.
Try a feather wrap like my own above – made from ostrich and marabou. Or this beautiful swan feather wedding cape from Not on the High Street. Or fur is fabulous – whether a real vintage piece or faux if you prefer...
A fur shrug can keep you cosy through a chilly spring wedding day
Fabulous original 1960s fox fur stole
Black and white original vintage photo, marked 1947 on the reverse.
Glamorous vintage bride in faux fur, from a charming 1947 photo!
A cosy faux fur jacket or shrug can also work perfectly with a short-sleeved dress, such as Florence (below) with a lace flutter sleeve. I love the real vintage bride in the photo above – teaming her dress with that super-fabulous faux fur! 
1940s style wedding dress, Florence, with lace flutter sleeves
White fur stole – perfect to keep you warm at a chilly spring wedding.
If you like real fur, you can find wonderful vintage fur wraps and shrugs at Central Park Vintage. Another great place to seek out a fur or faux fur shrug is The Hammersmith Vintage Fair – I am a regular visitor for their great selection of accessories. 
Glorious pale blooms for an early Spring wedding.
And each version of Florence works beautifully with the current vogue for natural accessories. From the beautiful blooms from Brides.com to these stunning nature-inspired headpieces by Abby at Cherished.
Satin sleeves and lace overlay on 1940s inspired wedding dress
Nature-inspired hair accessories complement a vintage wedding dress
As pretty as real snowdrops! Delicate head-pieces for a vintage style wedding.
I am used to seeing beautiful hair accessories, but I've not seen anything quite like these by Abby at Cherished before - they are small works of art and could have been made to go with the Florence dress. (I can't wait to feature more of them very soon!)
Lovely 1940s-inspired Florence wedding dress, from my Heavenly Collection.
I hope my brides and my readers will love the elegant new member of the Florence family, as much as the original puff-sleeved and flutter-sleeved versions! If you'd like to make an appointment to see Florence in person, do contact me!

And I've hope you've enjoyed these ideas for vintage-inspired late winter and early spring weddings! 
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

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Friday, March 6, 2015

Real Vintage Bride Susan in 1930s-style wedding dress, 'Violette'.

Dear Reader,
Inspired by this burst of early Spring sunshine, I've chosen a seaside summer wedding for our Real Vintage Bride of the week...
1930s-inspired silk satin wedding dress Violette from my Heavenly Collection
For her wedding to Matt last year, gorgeous bride Susan chose to wear Violette in silk satin, from my Heavenly Collection of vintage-inspired wedding dresses.
Fabulosity vintage-style, on the Beach!
Ahh, summer days! Here's what Susan had to say about it…

"It was a beautiful day and I felt amazing in the dress, it was definitely the right choice. I got so many compliments on it all day too – a big success!"

Glorious. Roll on summer.
Love 
Helena 
Heavenly Vintage Brides




Sunday, March 1, 2015

Vintage Wedding Dress Trends 2015 - number 7

Dear Reader,
I think you probably already know I love this one, the last of my tips for the year ahead…
Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Pre-Fall 2015

7. HIGH NECKLINES


This is a high fashion statement which again has its roots in vintage dressing. Doesn't it look so elegant to have a high neckline and long sleeves…
Original 1960s wedding dress with high neck and long sleeves, priced £995
Real bride Molly, in vintage 1960s wedding dress by Priscilla of Boston
I'm always looking for beautiful 1960s wedding dresses that feature this trend, particularly by one of my favourite designers - Priscilla of Boston. I've dressed several beautiful brides in her dresses from the 1960s and early 70s.
Original 1960s high-necked wedding dress in nude lace, priced £850
Real bride Molly in Priscilla 1960s wedding dress, with high lace neckline
1960s high neck wedding dress by Priscilla of Boston
Original 1960s wedding dress with lace high neck and sleeves, price £850
Priscilla managed to create such an elegant look with flattering silhouettes, high necklines, long sleeves and rows of tiny buttons down the back.
Let's end with beautiful real bride Molly in 1960s Priscilla wedding dress
Watch out for this trend in 2015 - as seen in Sarah Burton's latest show for Alexander McQueen (pictured at top). And if you'd like to see more original 1960s wedding dresses, do contact me.

Love
Helena 
Heavenly Vintage Brides

Thanks to Abby at Cherished for the models' headwear


Monday, February 23, 2015

Vintage Wedding Dress Trends 2015 - Number 6

Dear Reader
Back to my vintage wedding style forecasts today - with fabulous trend no 6...


6. ALL-OVER BEADED LACE

Beaded lace is suddenly trending again - just take a look at the best Oscar dresses from this weekend. And it's perfect with vintage-inspired gowns. 
Lupita Nyongo's vintage-inspired dress with all-over beading by Calvin Klein
On a fashion history note, contrary to popular belief, 1920s and 1930s vintage wedding dresses were very rarely beaded. Beading was more of an evening fashion among wealthy society girls. 
Emma Stone in chartreuse beaded lace dress by Elie Saab, Oscars 2015
To incorporate this lovely luxe trend, I've recreated my Butterfly dress in a sumptuous and glamorous all-over beaded lace. I'm looking forward to showing it to lots of lovely brides-to-be. 
Whatever I do with my vintage-inspired dresses, my number one aim is to keep their vintage old-fashioned charm and not make any statements which are too obvious, and I think this lovely lace has a subtle sparkle which just works.
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

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Vintage Wedding Trends 2015, number 4

Friday, February 13, 2015

Looking forward to the Oscars…?

Dear Reader,
Isn't this chart gorgeous?
Before we see this year's crop of fabulous (ok… and perhaps a few not-so-fabulous) Oscars gowns, it's fun to remember these brilliant vintage dresses going right back to 1929. Which are your favourites...?
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

With thanks to Media Run Digital for the awesome infographic!