SUPPORT BRITISH I want to support British designers with my choice of wedding dress. Can you help? Meet the expert: Vicky Angell is the Owner of Love & Loved Bridal Boutique based in Swanbourne, Buckinghamshire. It’s a relaxed and modern bridal boutique for the eco-conscious bride stocking a curated edit of dresses, separates and jumpsuits. Vicky says: The bridal scene is an eclectic mix of brands spanning the globe with designers from Australia to California coming to the forefront of bridal fashion. But should we be looking closer to home when it comes to getting our bridal fix? In this article, we delve into the benefits of shopping local when searching for the one and why supporting British, indie bridal brands and designers can make us feel as good as we look. With localism surging in popularity, supercharged by the global pandemic, the trend for shopping local is not slowing. The current global challenges and the shift towards independent makers and creatives have given bridal boutiques the perfect opportunity to hone their customer service skills, ensuring each bride that crosses their threshold has a memorable experience while ensuring the product they are offering meets the same high expectations. What better time to showcase British independent designers who create dresses here in the UK which brings many benefits. Firstly, the designer is in charge because they’re present and hands-on. They have full control over their supply chain and manufacturing processes. With small but perfectly formed teams of local craftspeople, they can ensure quality is never compromised on every gown sent out. Talking of teams, many indie British designers support their local economy by employing people from the region, often young people, allowing them to learn a craft and perfect specialist skills so often lost in our fast-paced, demanding society. It’s as if you know the person who has made your dress, it doesn’t feel more personal than that. Another upside of being the champion of British design is that you have an opportunity to customise your bridal look. With British designers working closely with their stockists, boutiques are well supported in helping a bride make tweaks and changes to perfect the finished dress. They are also a great solution for the laidback bride who hasn’t started shopping 18 months before her wedding date. Since every piece is made in the UK, customers won’t need to factor in extensive shipping times which buys a little more time to make such an important decision. With shorter shipping time comes fewer air miles. Choosing a wedding dress or bridal outfit designed and made in the UK minimalises the environmental impact. Many British designers will source their fabrics within the UK and while they cut each pattern to reduce waste, any waste fabric often gets donated to local schools and colleges to be made into something new. Finally, a British designer knows British brides best. They are experienced to understand and reinterpret fashion trends and enduring British style creating gowns that speak to women. They cut and create silhouettes that enhance the way brides look, making them feel amazing in each piece. By being a champion of British bridal designers, you’re making a positive impact on the environment, supporting local economies that provide employment and getting a dress that’s designed with you in mind. Love & Loved Bridal Boutique, www.loveandloved.co.uk BLUSHING BRIDE What bridal make-up looks and shades will be trending for weddings this autumn? Meet the expert: Poppy Wilson is a fully qualified make-up artist and hair stylist with more than seven years’ of experience. She freelances in fashion, television, editorial and celebrity and has extensive experience working with brides. Poppy says: My philosophy is to create flawless but lightweight wedding make-up that will last all day. Trends have shifted from ultra-glamorous and extravagant styles to a more subtle, softer kind of ‘no make-up’ look which means no more harsh liner, heavy foundation and strong contouring which was popular before the pandemic. This is replaced with natural, glowing make-up (and hair) that looks effortless which is set to be the trend moving forward. More and more brides that I work with want to look like an enhanced version of themselves rather than a drastic transformation. They show me photographs of themselves with make-up on (instead of pictures of a celebrity like Kim Kardashian) requesting to look like they did in the photo but the best version of it. Glowing skin with a natural rosy cheek and an enhanced neutral lip colour is the classic bridal look for 2022. I recommend the Beauty Light Wand in the shade Pinkgasm, £29, by www.charlottetilbury.com as a great choice for skin. It’s important that on the wedding day, enough make-up is worn to show up in the photographs so finding the right blend is key. Poppy Wilson, 07739 479 109, http://poppy-wilson.com/weddings www.eandwcouture.co.uk www.sanyuktashrestha.com https://snrmac.com https://snrmac.com 62
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=