Love My Dress Wedding Blog - A UK Wedding Blog

Win a 1920's Vintage Headdress & Art Deco Delight, by Yulia Kunze...

 

** This competition is now closed.

The winner will be announced on the blog during December **

If you didn't know it yet, Love My Dress is ONE whole year old this month! And I decided to celebrate this little milestone by saying a HUGE THANK YOU to all of my readers - and by making November a month bursting to the brim with gorgeous giveaways. 

We're giving away £200 to spend at Queens & Bowl, £150 of Vicky Trainor Stationery, a unique work of art based on one of your favourite photographs a Flo and Percy Hair Comb and a bespoke vintage framed canvas - and new competitions are being added all the time.

But today's giveaway comes to you from the very talented designer that is Yulia Kunze.  Yulia Kunze spent several years working in Sotheby's Russian Department, during which time she also studied history of art at Christie's Institute.  It was at the same time, that Yulia discovered her love of everything vintage and where her personal fascination with jewellery began.  Yulia has since gone on to create a collection of the most stunning vintage headpieces, that she crafts using original art-deco elements...

Would it make your heart leap a little if I told you that Yulia is offering to giveaway one of her beautiful designs, and that YOU get to choose exactly which one?!?

Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Yulia Kunze

Magpie Vintage ~ Beautiful, Original, Period Piece Wedding Jewellery....

One of the best things about being involved in the Wedding Industry is that I get to connect with so many creative people.  And sometimes, I'm lucky enough that those connections develop into friendships, as happened when I was first put in touch with the lovely Lisa Harris, of Magpie Vintage, who, for anyone who has been hiding under a rock of late, are the UK Wedding industry's leading purveyor of original vintage wedding and fashion jewellery.  Magpie Vintage specialise in the restoration and supply of original period pieces, that includes antique necklaces, buttons, brooches and earrings reworked with silver to make unique, up to date, wearable designs.  Ready to wear and bespoke designs are available.

I was so thrilled when Lisa asked me if I would blog about their latest photoshoot, that was shot by up and coming professional Photographer, Hollie Fernando - and yes, for anyone that recognises that surname, Hollie happens to be the Daughter of one of the Wedding Industry's most talented Hair and Makeup Artists, Kaz Fernando, who styled this shoot, with support from hair stylist extraordinaire, Severin Hubert from Hepburn Collection.

I love the debutante nature of this photoshoot and how it casts a new light on the exquisiteness that is Magpie Vintage jewellery.  Photographer Hollie Fernando explains further ...

"This was one of my favourite shoots, we tried to give it a very young, beautiful and innocent feel. We had relaxed styling and I was lucky enough to have the most gorgeous models who knew me well. This was a bonus as they can act naturally in front of me, and I can make them feel really comfortable in front of the camera.

All the models had really good chemistry together which was so helpful as I could really capture the summer-time love they were acting out for me. We had the models in simple and delicate clothing, so that the jewellery was the main focus.  The whole feel of the shoot was vintage and summery and i was delighted to be the chosen photographe

Love My Dress Wedding Blog, Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Hollie Fernando

Passionate About Vintage ~ Limited Edition and One-Off Vintage Bridal Jewellery...

I am extra specially proud today to be extending a very warm welcome to new Love My Dress Wedding Blog sponsor,  'Passionate About Vintage'.

The creation of the very lovely Natalie Leon - Passionate About Vintage specialise in the creation of beautiful one-off and limited edition bridal jewellery pieces, crafted from Natalie’s very extensive personal collection of Vintage beads and components sourced from around the world, many pieces of which are over 50 years old.  Natalie also sources the most exquistie original vintage handbags from 1920-1950.

"I am passionate about vintage, it’s as simple as that really, any and all vintage I don’t discriminate. Anything from Victoriana to the 1950’s makes my heart race. I wander around car boot fairs looking for cut glass, vintage teacups; old leather bound books and rhinestone jewellery. 

I started collecting vintage beads, buttons and sequins at a young age, I have been visiting antique fairs with my parents for as long as I can remember and probably before I could walk. They have always encouraged my creativity and shared my passion for all things period..."

Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Photography Copyright (c) 2010, Natalie Leon, Passionate About Vintage

Lucie Ellen - Lovely Things To Wear And Use...

I have to credit my new fave magazine, 'Oh Comely' for this one. As I was sat browsing through their pages of creative inspiration yesterday evening in the bath, page 14 and it's 'pretty, lovely' things caught my eye. Namely, some attractive little brooches, hand made out of broken china, by one very clever lady called Lucie Ellen.

Must must look up Lucie on the interweb thought I.  And how pleased I am that I did, for I discovered a very pretty and lovely little collection of trinkets and treasures indeed, including this delightful Swallows and Hearts necklace below, £14.00, a 'linked pendant of swooping swallows and a pink heart'....how jolly romantic! :)

Lucie Ellen has apparently been inventing and creating delightful bits and pieces in her shed in her garden in Suffolk, England for some time.  Her range includes brooches, necklaces and earrings, and has  recently branched out into homewares.

"I work with broken and damaged vintage crockery, hand-cutting things that would have gone into the bin into rather fetching pieces. I also use as much reclaimed wood in my work as possible, cutting for hours on my trusty fret saw, creating pins and pendants..."

Love My Dress Wedding Blog - All Imagery Copyright (c) 2010, Lucie Ellen

Royst & Aran, Original Vintage Bridal Headpieces & Accessories ∼ Sponsor Welcome...

I think I shall always have a penchant for exquisite vintage jewellery and accessories.  I love the timeless design and appeal of something old, which is why I fell head over heels for Royst & Aran as soon as I discovered their absolutely beautiful vintage bridal designs.

Royst & Aran create your Something Old - and Something New! They are vintage specialists who design stunning headpieces and accessories from beautiful original vintage pieces. The Royst & Aran collection includes tiaras, headpieces, combs, garters and jewellery and every individual design is handmade in the UK.  Royst & Aran was one of the first few companies who specialised in designing vintage tiaras and accessories. Vintage has now become very popular amongst designers and so to stay ahead; Royst & Aran have ensured their brand maintains its own unique elegant style and offers brides the more quirky, unusual and distinctive designs within their collections.

I got chatting with Royst & Aran Founder and Designer, Karan...

"When I got married I was very lucky, my fabulous and very generous parents allowed me free rein to choose whatever I wanted and so was not limited to a fixed budget (maybe they thought once I was married it would be the last time I would call upon them as my walking bank!). It did however highlight just how expensive getting married was, so when I set up Royst & Aran I wanted to offer the style conscious Brides, who don’t have the bank busting budgets, gorgeous and affordable accessories. Therefore my collections at Royst & Aran hopefully cater for all brides’ budgets, big or small..."

Love My Dress Wedding Blog - Imagery (unless otherwise stated) Copyright (c) 2010, Royst & Aran

Yulia Kunze ~ Antique Art-Deco Hair Accessories ~ New Sponsor Welcome...

I am so very proud to welcome on board today a new sponsor, Yulia Kunze, designer and creator of exquisite antique art-deco hair accessories.

Yulia was one of the very first designers to be featured on Love My Dress back in December 2009.  At the time, Yulia was just starting out with her creative business venture, however, I'm delighted and thrilled to Yulia to hear that in the past 6 months, Yulia has featured in fashion magazines, several UK wedding magazines and her exquisite designs are now being worn by Brides and used by fashion stylists all around the world.

"I am doing more and more customised work at the moment and have had a a number of incredibly passionate vintage brides recently for whom I designed headpieces specifically to match their antique wedding dresses. In my latest collection I am using a lot Art Deco rhinestone appliqués, 1920s diamante and vintage wax flowers and leaves. All the material are very rare original pieces and they look absolutely stunning in their new life..."

Love My Dress Wedding Blog ~ All Imagery Copyright (C) 2009-10,  Yulia Kunze

The Vintage Hair Lounge ~ Vintage Glamour from a Golden Era...

You find out about lots of inspiring up and coming brands being a Wedding Blogger.  One of the latest I've come across is that of the Vintage Hair Lounge. 

Vintage Hair Lounge is owned and supervised by mother and daughter team, Gloria and Sharon Holloway. Gloria is a former College Head of Hair and Beauty and expert trainer in traditional techniques and wig-making. Sharon is the founder of an award winning historical film production company Archive TV, a former criminal barrister and a TV and film Hair and Make-up Artist and Designer who has worked on many historical productions. Together, Gloria and Sharon bring to the high street their skills in lost hairdressing and a filmic eye for detail that the hairdressing industry has long overlooked.

With vintage and burlesque looks coming back into vogue, and the desire for outstanding customer service ever increasing, this talented duo are aiming to build a national and international reputation based on excellence, creativity and a lot of fun. 

I got to speak Sharon recently...

"Vintage Hair Lounge grew from the idea that work only seen in the film industry, and skills only the preserve of an older generation, have the capacity to be enjoyed by the general public now.

But where do people go when the hairdressing industry is ignoring them? Vintage Hair Lounge is genuinely a unique experience for all those who want the best, the individual and the truly inspired hairdressing services they deserve."

 

Liberty in Love - Online Bridal Style Boutique

Wow, what a truly gorgeous day!!! Hopefully, almost all of you are OUTSIDE at the moment, and not reading this until this evening, (that's if you're not outside BBQ'ing and enjoying the first proper fabulously sun-shiney day of the year!) :)

I'd like to introduce you today to a little treasure I came across a couple of weeks ago - Liberty In Love.

Launched earlier this month, Liberty In Love is described as 'an online Bridal style boutique' - and is basically a haven for all Brides-to-be who love browsing through sparkly pretty accessories.

With a whole section dedicated to the Vintage Bride, where you will find such brands as Jane Taylor Millinery (who we have featured twice now on this this here wedding blog here and here), Stephanie Browne, Dulcie Angel, Fabledreams, Florrie Mitton and Leigh-Anne McCague (to name but a few), Liberty In Love is a fabulous one-stop-shop for any one on the hunt for their wedding day bracelet, necklace, earrings, tiara, hair comb, garter - you name it!

Very gorgeous necklaces below, I think you'll agree.  Hover over each image on this page for a description and price...

Love My Dress Wedding Blog - All Imagery Copyright (c) 2010, Liberty In Love