“We hit 100 donations this week, with a collective retail value of over £70,000, which is such a staggering amount that I literally jumped up and down!
The value was made even more special by the fact it is Oxfam’s 70th Birthday this year and so it is a really humbling moment that shows people are more dedicated to fighting poverty than ever…”
Kate Kellaway-Moore, Oxfam
Good morning my lovelies. Welcome to the first day of a wonderful new week. Today is a special day on Love My Dress. Today is all about Oxfam and sharing with you full details of a project I’ve been involved with for some months now. {By the way, part 2 of this feature is here}.
Oxfam first approached me around August last year and asked if I would support them in raising the profile of Oxfam Weddings – who were planning to do something to celebrate Oxfam’s 70th year. The idea was to run a project that coincided with the 1st anniversary of the Royal Wedding…
“As we approach the anniversary of the Royal Wedding, Oxfam is preparing to launch a fantastic online weddings auction, offering future brides and grooms the chance to bid on exclusive items for a fraction of the normal retail price…”
Love My Dress Wedding Blog, Photography Copyright © 2012, Mintyslippers
Isn’t that ‘behind-the-scenes’ film above from Mintyslippers just gorgeous? I adore how it captures the team behind this photoshoot working so hard for such a wonderful cause, and it takes me back to a day that holds a very special place in my heart.
Let’s learn a little more about the auction the photoshoot is supporting…
“The online auction will run from Sunday 29th April to Wednesday 9th May on EBay. The auction will feature up to 100 one-off gifts with a total value of £70,000, including a John Nassari wedding photography and celebrity hair-styling package worth £15,000, wedding gowns by designers such as Claire Pettibone, Charlotte Balbier, Suzannah, , Joanne Fleming, Sassi Holford and House of Tammam, a fabulous eco-chic Sawday’s honeymoon to the Lake District, a decadent hen party afternoon tea at Fetcham Park, with Idyllic Days crockery and Cakes by Krishanthi cakes and much much more**
The exclusive auction also includes a private consultation with Ian Stuart and a pick of any of his Killer Queen collection, flowers from florists such as By Appointment only Design, Hayford and Rhodes and Philippa Craddock, free venue hire at Senate House and a luxury marquee worth £5000.
This is the perfect opportunity for couples to get their hands on items that may normally be out of reach and help raise vital funds to help support Oxfam’s work with people living poverty around the world.”
Love My Dress Wedding Blog, Photography Copyright © 2012, Eliza Claire + Annamarie Stepney
Beauty & Fashion Retouching by Chanelle Segerius-Bruce at Retouch Me
Image Credits: Stationery design by Sugalily, dress by Caire Pettibone via Blackburn Bridal Couture
Having heard of their exciting auction plans, I suggested it might be nice to organise a photoshoot to assist with the promotion of the auction and before I knew it, I was pulling together a dream-team of suppliers to help turn my idea into something real.
Skip forward a few months, and one cold and rather foggy Friday morning in London, Phil – my husband and I, found ourselves in a taxi on the way to the shoot venue to meet up with Stylist Tiffany Grant Riley, photographers Eliza Claire + Annamarie Stepney, hair stylist Severin Hubert, Makeup Artist Lucy Baker, my Intern Franky and a whole room full of beautiful Models that included the rather lovely Jack Rooney.
We had an amazing day. As far as photoshoot experiences go, it was something very special to everyone involved. For a start, everyone had spared their precious time to attend and work a very long day on behalf of Oxfam, but we had such a giggle too. It was a real bonding experience for everyone. I’ve fond memories of hair stylist Severin Hubert making us all fall apart in fits of giggles towards the end as he improvised a wind machine using his hair dryer – hehehe 😉
The photoshoot was styled by the ever-talented Tiffany Grant Riley and focused on six different era inspired looks; 1920s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s {yep, all in one very busy day!}.
1920’s Inspired…
The important thing to note is that almost all of the items used in the shoot are actually going to be available to bid for at the Oxfam Weddings auction. And I think that’s pretty darn amazing actually.
The images you see just directly above and below you now featuring model Jack were inspired by the 1920s. The dress is a Sally Lacock design. I adore Sally Lacock, she uses the finest lace in the world is is a true artisan and master of her craft. The floral headpiece the model bride is sporting was created that morning by Tony from By Appointment Only Design, and Jack is wearing a suit from Tweedmans
Paul Antonio, the master scribe, assisted the styling be writing on a mirror, one of his specialities and a beautiful way of styling your own wedding…
A simply beautiful cake designed especially for the occasion by Janet Mohapi-Banks…
The dress the model bride wears below was designed especially for this photoshoot by House of Tammam who specialise in using eco-friendly materials and produciton techniques…
“I was delighted to design this exclusive dress for Oxfam. We have incorporated many traditional crafts done by our fair-trade producers in India to create this spectacular gown in various peace silks, organic and sustainable fabrics. We are sure the bride who wins this will be overjoyed.”
Lucy Tammam, ethical bridal designer, House of Tamman
1930’s Inspired…
The 1930’s inspired look featured two beautiful dresses by Caire Pettibone {via the wonderful Blackburn Bridal Couture} and Sassi Holford, with that stunning veil by Vivienne Sheriff and shoes by Emmy….
Beautiful coral wedding shoes by Emmy…
1940’s Inspired…
Our 1940’s inspired look featured a stunning Jubilee inspired coronetheadpiece, especially created by the Oxfam shoot by Cherished Vintage. using elements that were found at Oxfam shops. How wonderful is that?
It also featured a dress by Suzannah and bunting by Vicky Trainor via ‘The Vintage Drawer’, as well as cakes and sweet treats by Olofson Design and stationery by Dottie Designs and florals by Hayford and Rhodes.
The vintage crates used to style the shoot were provided by Vintage Style Hire…
1950’s Inspired…
Our ’50’s inspired look featured writing {yes, on the model’s back} by Paul Antonio, lingerie by Gilda & Pearl, the most glorious petticoat by Doris Design and gowns by Ian Stuart’s and Charlotte Balbier…
1960s Inspired…
The ’60s inspired look featured such a cute dress by Minna. Model Jack wore an original vintage suit by Tweedmans and buttonhole by Hayford & Rhodes. Don’t you just adore those daisies?
The cupcakes and Oxfam branded biscuits hanging from the tree {which were utterly delicious!} were by Olofson Design, and the gorgeous vinage bicycle was donated for this shoot by ‘LuvHandles’.
By the way the coat the model is wearing is my own – from a vintage clothes store in Whitby…
1970’s Inspired…
Our gorgeous 1970’s inspird look featured dresses by Joanne Fleming, shoes by Harriet Wilde and a stunning gold bouquet by By Appointment Only Design…
Beautiful cake by Cake Maison….
Isn’t this Buttonbelle dress a beauty? Donated by Luella’s Boudoir. And thos 70’s glam rock shoes were donated by the wonderful Harriet Wilde…
The fabulous Rosette dress, donated by twobirds bridesmaid…
The Oxfam Wedding Auction…
Almost all of the items used in this photoshoot can be bid for in the Oxfam Weddings auction, listings for which will start to go live on EBay this week and the full list of items that can be bid for will be available from 23rd April.
Further details of how monies raised from this auction will go to directly assisting those less fortunate than ourselves will be included in this afternoon’s blog post, with a neat set of info-graphics supplied by the talented Alexis, of the OMG I’m Getting Married blog.
There were so many wonderful, generous, talented donators involved in this photoshoot and many donators have since come on board {including, I believe, a certain Jenny Packham!}. A full list of items that will be at auction and available to bid from will be included in this afternoon’s blog feature.
This just leaves me to say, an immense thank you to all and everyone involved in this project, from the creative team you see credited below you there to all the donators. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We would not have achieved success with this project without you.
So many people worked so very hard on this shoot – freeing their precious time and working their socks off to create these images to support Oxfam and inspire you. It would be amazing if you could show them your support by leaving a comment and a little blog love. I’d also love to know if any of my readers fancy bidding at auction! And finally, which era is your favourite? I cannot decide between the 30’s, 40’s or 60’s…….useless! 😉
Come back this afternoon for part 2 of the big Oxfam Weddings project.
Lots of love all,
Annabel
♥
Creative Team Credits
Photography Copyright © 2012, Eliza Claire + Annamarie Stepney
Beauty & Fashion Retouching by Chanelle Segerius-Bruce at Retouch Me
Film Production – Mintyslippers
Stylist – Tiffany Grant Riley
Photoshoot Curator – Moi, supported by my Intern, Franky
Venue – Drapers Hall, London
Models – First Model Management
Male Model – Jack Rooney
Hair Stylist – Severin Hubert, Hepburn Collection
Makeup Artist – Lucy Baker
Make-up (for 70’s look) Frontcover Cosmetics, via PR agency Gloss Communications
Nails – Gemma Timms
** Full list of donated items will be featured in this afternoon’s blog post on Love My Dress
