Pretty in Pink!

Dear bloganistas, how I have missed keeping you up to date with all that is happening in the wedding world but I am sure you will forgive me as one's time has been dedicated to the most important of people, our brides-to-be.

So where were we.......

The uber fashionable, timeless beauty that is Gwen Stefani was the first to bring her non-conformist gift to the altar by ditching the traditional all-white bridal look to opt for pretty, romantic pink hues instead. Almost a decade later and celebrities are breaking the mould once again by introducing pink into their wedding gowns.

Back in 2002 Gwen Stefani wowed us all with an unconventional yet iconic stunning white-to-hot pink silk faille gown designed by John Galliano for Dior. The dip dyed hem was a perfect balance of girlie and punk echoing the personality of its glamorous wearer.  

In fact so striking was its balance of contrasting themes that it was labelled a work of art and now fittingly resides in the Victoria and Albert Design Museum in London.

In 2011 Reese Witherspoon wowed us with an updated and more subtle petal pink Monique Lhuillier dress with a stunning Chantilly lace bodice.

But think pink because it looks like it will be around for a little longer yet as it took centre stage once again as a number of designers previewed pink wedding gowns in their 2012 runway shows. Such stellar names as Issac Mizrahi, Maggie Sotttero, Lazaro, Carolina Herrera, Monique Lhuillier and Douglas Hannant were all in the mix to name but a few. Most notably Chanel's recent collection had pink as their overriding theme.

Issac Mizrahi

Maggie Sottero

Lazaro

Carolina Herrera

Monique Lhuillier

Douglas Hannant

Moving onto the High Street Richard Nicoll's bridal collection 'Tie The Knot!' for Topshop unveiled pink dresses in their first ever bridal-specific offering with 30% of his line being devoted to this darling colour.

In 2012 the fashionista brides of the celebrity wedding world have certainly been seduced by one the hottest and on-trend colour's around with many choosing shades from blush, to peachy-pink to petal pink for their wedding dresses.

In September Anne Hathaway wore a Valentino dress with a pink hand painted hem and train.

Heiress Margherita Missoni chose to wear two Giambattista Valli gowns on her wedding day, a cream one for the ceremony and an identical pink one for the reception.

Hollywood sweethearts Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel also announced their love for each other by tying the knot this October at their intimate Italian wedding held in Puglia.

Jessica wore a spectacular custom made strapless petal pink Giambattista Valli gown oozing romance and drama with a slightly whimsical tone. It featured light pink floral motifs and ruffles paired with a long veil decorated with delicate pearls.

However, walk into any Bridal Shop and the truth of the matter is the proposition you will likely face is to have to choose between white and various shades of ivory.

How grateful we are to these trendsetters who are willing to pave the way thus ensuring that you brides-to-be have been given more options to consider.

How thankful we are also to wonderful designers like our personal favourite, Ian Stuart, who along with the likes of Vera Wang have always sought to give brides their hearts desire by injecting colour into their vivacious and effervescent collections.

Vera Wang

Ian Stuart

At Vintage Rose our desire is to give our brides-to-be designs which are not constrained by traditionalism but which allow free reign to creativity and imagination whilst evoking the familiar and sentimental through our love of all things vintage. 

So why not contact us so we can discuss your thoughts and ideas and help you bring them to life for a wedding everyone will remember. 

Love VR x

Ian Stuart - The sky is NOT the limit

If you are searching for "the" perfect wedding dress but are realising that maybe perfect isn't quite good enough or you have reached the point at which you can't exactly put into words just what it is you are looking for then take a deep breath, put your Louboutin clad feet up, relax and pop the cork on that bottle of Cristal Champagne which you have been keeping for that special moment when you set eyes on "your" wedding dress, because your search is over!

Ladies, let me introduce you to the world of Ian Stuart Brides where you will find bridal gowns the likes of which you have never before experienced. 
 
Ian Stuart is arguably (and believe me Vintage Rose would definitely argue this point) THE world's leading designer of bridal gown couture.

If you needed any more assurance that you are in capable hands Ian Stuart is a Multi Award-winning designer. He cut his teeth at Bellville Sassoon, one of London’s finest couture houses who specialise in creating gowns for socialites and members of the Royal Family (we rest our case). He is passionate about the arts, theatre and music and is renowned for his interest in period costume to which he adds his own contemporary interpretation and thus brings to life gowns with stunning shapes and dramatic silhouettes for the modern bride.

Ian Stuart's previous collections have taken bridal gown design to a whole new level and have quite simply been out of this world. So, in his inimitable, award winning style, Ian Stuart has sought to excel himself and reach for the stars.

The result is a selection of interstellar, cosmically beautiful bridal gowns that is quite simply of astronomical proportions and has been suitably named the Supernova collection. 

The Collection Designed by Ian Stuart Ltd launched its new 2013 bridal collection in May. For those of you ladies who have not yet had the privilege to take a peak (what have you been wasting your time with???) you really have missed out, but, darlings, do not fret or worry as Vintage Rose is here to whet your appetite in preparation for a veritable feast of bridal gown sumptuousness! 

The new collection is aptly named and is definitely not an overused superlative because it suggests something extremely luminous which can briefly outshine an entire galaxy. In the galaxy of wedding gown designs each Ian Stuart dress in this new collection sees the birth of a new star whose brightness, elegance and majesty outshine any other as each dress is an explosion of creativity and innovation fused with historical influence in a way that only Ian Stuart can accomplish!

The collection showcases gowns that incorporate traditional bustiers accentuated with avalanches of cascading roses through to more daring and extravagant dresses to match any bride's individual personality. His fabric choice is gloriously exquisite combining traditional silks and taffetas with flowery brocades, fairy tale prints and silk organza trains.

Taking inspiration from period costume we are introduced to skirts both short and long and ruffles added to structured bodice pieces with over-the-top embellishments. We are also seduced by textures for which he uses new fabric treatments on his signature sophisticated draping. Added to this is fine hand-crafted detailing such as subtle crystal beads onto luxurious sheer fabrics.

The opulence and elegance of the gowns are presented to us through the use of a rich palette of understated and sweet, sugary pastels, café crèmes and traditional pearl tones that are delicate yet decadent.

Yes, this 2013 collection is beyond heavenly and if you have not yet found that wedding gown of your dreams then look no further because Mr Stuart will have it in one of his collections.

It is a rare thing in the fickle, fashion conscious world that a designer will create a plethora of designs where each piece is a part of him or herself, representing their loves, passions and interests. As Ian Stuart explains himself “my philosophy is to design with my heart - each creation epitomises the grace and beauty that every bride-to-be deserves to have on her wedding day”.

There is no doubt about it once you see these gowns for yourself it will be the beginning of a love affair with his work. If you are not convinced, then take it from me, you need to pop along to your selected local bridal boutique which has the privilege of stocking his gowns and try one on ! Or why not arrange an appointment via his website to attend a Designer Day whereby you can view a larger selection of the collection than is normally available in bridal boutiques.

I hereby offer a warning though!! Once you try one of his dresses on you will not want to take it off! It will become a part of you, a second skin, your best friend even! There is also a good chance that you will be so enamoured by it that you could possibly be more excited that your dress is with you on your wedding day than your groom! At the end of the day you will be saddened that you have to take it off and leave it behind as you sail away on your honeymoon, but you will think of it often and with great fondness, that, I guarantee.

On your wedding day you will be so glad you chose one of his dresses because when you appear for the first time in all your radiant glory to your family and guests and walk down the aisle it will take everybody’s breath away in a truly magical moment that is the inner desire of every bride on her special day.

Despite the fact that these are serious wedding gowns which are not to be messed with you will find yourself gliding down the aisle, standing effortlessly, sitting comfortably and mixing graciously with your guests as though you were wearing a dress that is made out of nothing heavier than a snowflake.

All of this I can say from experience and I have indulged myself (hope you don't mind) by including a photograph of me in my wedding dress. Oh, how I love that dress, thank you Ian Stuart !!

Here at Vintage Rose Ian Stuart has truly been an inspiration. Not just because he creates bridal gowns of stunning quality, individuality and uncompromising elegance and beauty but because he consistently pours his heart and soul into his creations.

His ethos is clear, he wants to make something that for the bride will be unforgettable, timeless and will not just complete her special day but be an integral part of it.
 
We at Vintage Rose echo that ethos in our work. We want to work with you to create a wedding design that you will treasure forever, that you will remember with fondness and which you know has been made with you in mind but with our heart and soul.

At Vintage Rose we promise that we will continue, just like Ian Stuart, to reach for the stars in our search for excellence because we know that for our brides-to-be the sky is NOT the limit.

Love VR, x

www.ianstuart-bride.com