Your London Wedding - September/October 2020 (Issue 73)

56 How would you describe your boutique? Just fifteen minutes from Central London, our beautiful boutique offers a haven of tranquility in leafy Blackheath. The moment you enter our world of bridal pretty, you’ll be taken care of. Our staff will do their utmost to achieve the vision you have for your perfect bridal look. Fashion-forward, cool, elegant and bohemian, our brides travel from all over the world to visit us. What designers do you stock? We stock three exclusive designers: Anna Campbell, Rish and Anna Kara. We also have my own range, Blackburn Couture, which draws upon my extensive knowledge of having dressed thousands of brides over the past fifteen years. Modern, elegant and totally exclusive, it epitomises effortless beauty. Tell us about your own wedding outfit… I was fortunate enough to wear a cream dinner suit by one of my favourite designers, Vivienne Westwood, when I married my husband in 2013. What’s your standout moment in your bridal career? I have been very blessed over the years, but I think the monumental moments are opening my boutique in 2005 and going on to launch my own collection in 2012. Visit www.blackburnbridal.co.uk MEET RUSSELL BLACKBURN OF BLACKBURN BRIDAL COUTURE Russell’s favourite dress: Chey by Anna Kara MEET CHARLIE BREAR OF CHARLIE BREAR How would you describe your company? Charlie Brear is a contemporary bridal label designed and made in London. In our North West London showroom we hold appointments to see the range and work closely with our production and design team. Tell us about your own wedding outfit… I wore an original 1960s vintage dress. If I ever did it again, I’d wear Brooke from our new Desert Dreamers Collections, with a million styling additions! What’s your standout moment in your bridal career? When we launched to the wholesale market in 2011, we were the first brand to offer a styling box and the concept of a convertible look. We had the biggest crowd gathered to see our looks on the stand – it was so exciting! Visit www.charliebrear.com Charlie’s favourite dress: Nola from her 2021 Desert Dreamers Collection MEET MIINA LAITSAARI OF INDIEBRIDE LONDON How would you describe your company? We are a London bridal brand with a sustainable focus, and all designs are made-to-order. Our dresses are for the laid-back bride who not only wants to look stunning, but feel comfortable as well. The showroom is based in the attic of a church in South London; from here we offer private appointments and a stress- free environment. Who would you love to design a wedding outfit for? I’d love to design a dress for Vivienne Westwood, as it would give the freedom and challenge of going absolutely crazy with the design! What’s your standout moment in your bridal career? It’d have to be when I took over Indiebride in April 2019. I was the first intern at the company in 2010 and have been growing with it professionally and personally ever since. Visit www.indiebridelondon.co.uk Miina’s favourite dress: Wylie from her latest collection. www.mik aelkuitunen.com