Earlier this month, we featured a pretty real wedding, and if you read the feature, you might recall how how Bride Aimee struggled to find the kind her ideal Bridesmaids dress. So, Aimee decided to make her own! Infact, Aimee was so pleased with her creations, she decided to go one step further and create a whole collection!
Skip forward a few months (bypassing lots of hard work and a photoshoot in which Aimee posed herself – see below left) and a brand new line in Bridesmaids dresses, 'Buttonbelle', is on the brink of being launched.
I was so impressed and inspired by this story, that I decided to get in touch with Aimee and find out more about her experience…
"In 2008, I moved back to the North East UK to be with my fiance. Initially I
was freelancing for River Island (I have been working as a qualified fashion designer for 12 yeras, specialising in womens wear wovens and jersey) and various other contacts in London
but, I felt it was time to try something new, take the plunge and work
for myself. It was important to me to find a niche in the womens wear
market where I felt I could make a difference at a boutique level…"
Imagery Copyright (c) 2010, Buttonbelle
"After planning my own wedding which took place in july 2009, I discovered the bridesmaids offer was poor, very un-inspiring and overlooked. I met alot of people along the way with the same thoughts. This is where I felt I could make a difference with my specialised background and allow bridesmaids to feel good on their friends big day too, after all, they are the Brides special friends – they deserve something nice too!"
Can you describe the Buttonbelle experience – what can a client expect? …"Something unique & vintage inspired. Our dresses are feminine, up to date and well designed and come in a wide range of colours and fabrications. We also offer our customers a chance to customise their own dresses with gorgeous vintage floral & diamante brooches and delicate bead work options. I've always loved clothes and art and loved dressing up as a little girl. I love the feel good factor a nice dress or garment can bring and how it can make you feel fabulous."
Where do you seek your design inspiration? …"From vintage sources such as flea markets. I frequently visit Portobello market, spitalfields and various other markets in London and Newcastle. I also refer to reference books and I also keep an eye on the bridal and main designer catwalks."
Do you have a design muse?… "I always keep an eye on trends and up and coming young stars ~ Kate Moss is always a favourite I love her mix and match vintage style. I also like Daisy Lowe and Fearne Cotton and love Temperley clothing. My client is feminine and slightly quirky. She loves fashion and understands understated style."
What materials do you prefer to work with/find you work with most?…"I like to work with fluid feminine fabrics and love adding vintage touches and detailing; such as yoke seaming, intricate beading and clever fabric choices. Which in most high turnover clothing has to be overlooked for cost reasons."
Do you have a particular favourite style of bridesmaids dress? …"My style of dresses are very fluid and feminine and feel good. My favourite dress often changes at the moment I like my 'Emma maxi dress' as I feel it oozes romance and flatters the body. It's perfect for a summer wedding. I'm very off prom styles though…they'e been around for ages are everywhere and don't suit everyone."
Where do you stock? Where can clients purchase your products? …"Clients can contact me direct for an viewing. I am planning to sell my dresses online also and am in the process of looking for some small boutique's to stock my dresses."
Oh I so love an inspirational story like this one – go Aimee! And such pretty dresses too. Aimee, we wish you the very best of luck in establishing Buttonbelle, and will be watching your brand closely for further developments that we look forward to reporting on here at Love My Dress 🙂
For further information, you can email Aimee directly, telephone (0)7801 258256, join the Buttonbelle Facebook group or submit your email to be notified when the Buttonbelle website is fully up and running later this month.
♥
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.
