"We wanted to create something with a vintage feel but also
strong, modern and clean…"
Hannah Coniam-Thompson
Founder and Designer, Belle & Bunty
There's been a huge amount of activity on the blog this morning, following this post as much of the UK wedding inustry woke to the news today that The Designer Wedding Show is no more. So to cheer you all up, I've got a bit of a fancy pants exclusive for you. Today, the beautiful girls over at Belle & Bunty have launched several new fabulously glamorous wedding gowns for 2013, as well as introducing new updates to their most popular silhouettes. And I for one am pretty excited about that, because I adore Belle & Bunty!
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2012, Media Lightbulb
In keeping with the brands core aesthetic of
understated elegance, the latest additions inject an infusion of pure
glamour, inspired by the best of bygone eras whilst continuing the
brands modern take on the 'vintage feel'. New styles include: The Pearly, The Ariel, The Mae, The Darcey and The
Hattie. All styles are available in traditional ivory and cream as well
as this years new colour ~ blush, a pretty soft rose shade.
The Pearly Dresse's figure enhancing shape (above and below) with bias fishtail skirt and
beautiful lace overlay at the fitted bodice creates a fantastically
alluring silhouette. Pretty soft flutter sleeves continue down the low
back V and offset the small puddle train for a feminine touch to this
polished, elegant gown. Rita Hayworth eat your heart out.
A graceful silk satin gown with deep V neckline and floaty pleated bell
silk chiffon sleeves, The Mae Dress (above and below) exudes classic Hollywood glamour
with a hint of hippy chic. The back mirrors the front with a deep V and
long silk satin sashes drape from the shoulders to knot for back detail.
Three godets in the skirt add fullness to its shape and will be sure to
have you spinning on the dance floor. The Mae is also available without
sleeves to create a new look altogether.
With a Bohemian feel, the The
Hattie (pictured below with the most beautiful veil) is delightfully floaty and romantic and will make you feel
light as a feather gliding down the aisle. It is created from light
crinkle silk chiffon overlaid on top of luxurious silk satin which you
catch a glimpse of as you walk and the skirt splits to reveal the
beautiful contrast of matt and shine beneath. Gathering on the bodice
creates soft folds over the bust into the unique angular neckline where
delicate layered chiffon sleeves flutter across the shoulders and down
the curved V back. Beautiful and flattering, The Hattie is perfect for
those looking for something delicate, graceful and ethereal.
An array of
beautiful silks are used in every design to create a luxurious feel
against the body for an unequalled drape. Handcrafted embellishments
inspired by nature include the exquisite Lotus Flower Swarovski beaded
corsage and the delicate chiffon and pearl Daisy corsage. These bespoke
embroideries can be manipulated in our workshop to the differing desires
of the bride adding a unique element to each of our dresses…
London College of Fashion trained Alice Shreeve & Hannah
Coniam-Thompson are the designers behind the Belle & Bunty label – I interviewed these two lovely girls
last year for Love My Dress and have met them on several occasions,
they are lovely. And they absolutely love what they do and having the
opportunity to work with Brides. The Belle & Bunty
brand has fashion at its core and brings this into the bridal world,
combining: glamour, modernity, femininity and romance for any modern day
bride looking for a unique, luxurious, fluid gown. The bridal
collection focuses on the exploration of all things feminine by offering
a balance of proportions. Designs accentuate a woman's natural shape by
playing with clean, graphic lines where the design and cut is
everything thereby ensuring the most flattering silhouette for Belle
& Bunty brides-to-be. Belle & Bunty passionately supports
British manufacturing with all styles being lovingly 'Made in England'.
The silk satin Darcey
dress is delicate, demure and charming, with a sweetheart bust line and
high neckline in beautiful lace, trimmed in silk satin binding and
elbow length slim lace sleeves. The lace back finishes in a stunning
diamond keyhole as the perfect back detail, with small satin covered
buttons running down the back as a finishing touch. A very flattering
shape on all figures, The Darcey
has a slim band to accentuate the waist, which then flows beautifully
into a panelled fit and flare skirt with small puddle train to create a
real showstopper.
A personal and individual approach to designing and working with
brides remains at the core of the business and organically evolved when
designers Alice & Hannah developed their own wedding dresses
together. The Belle (pictured below) and The Bunty
(beneath that) remain in the range as best selling styles, alongside other popular
silhouettes: The Petal, The Willow, The Elsie, The Estella and The
Primrose. New styles retain the femininity, playfulness and simplicity
of the Belle & Bunty handwriting and sit along the core styles to
create a Bridal collection fusing contemporary with the vintage inspired
look.
The Ariel Dress (below two images) creates a fantastic silhouette with its strapless and
lightly boned bodice, fitted panelled skirt and delicate crinkle silk
chiffon overlays for the Belle & Bunty take on the traditional
strapless wedding dress. The small graduated godets in the skirt create
beautiful movement in the hem as you walk and the contemporary ankle
length allows you to show off your special wedding day shoes. The
handcrafted floral corsage draws your eye to the waist and adds a
special detail to this sophisticated, modern wedding dress.
The Belle & Bunty
collection is available to order throughout the year at the Belle &
Bunty Boutique in London, located at 45a Brecknock Road in London, N7
0BT, as well as select boutiques throughout the UK. Appointments in our
friendly London boutique are informal and relaxed. Prices range from
£1200 to £1800, aiming to be aspirational but affordable. The standard
lead time is between 4-6 months, although as all dresses are Made in
England, styles can be made quicker if needed. Non-bridal colours are
also available in all styles for a more adventurous bride or for
bridesmaids dresses. Visit The Belle & Bunty website or telephone +44 (0) 020 7267 3322 for further information.
Where to start?! If it were my turn all over again, I think only The Pearly would do! *heads off to plan vow renewal*
I have to ask, which is your favourite and why, and are there any more Belle & Bunty brides reading this right now? You can also see lots of brides wearing Belle & Bunty wedding dresses on Love My Dress too.
Much love all,
Annabel
Credits
Photography – Media Lightbulb
Gowns – Belle & Bunty
Shoes – Jimmy Choo
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
