Friday Inspiration: a Vogue Vintage Wedding from 1929

Dear Reader,

A charming story for our inspiration today: this beautiful bride is Francesca Braggiotti, serene and graceful in her 1929 satin and lace wedding dress... 

Francesca Baggiotti in 1929 wedding dress, photo by Edward Steichen for Vogue.

This demure and elegant 1920s wedding dress was made for Francesca's wedding to John Davis Lodge, and was something of a departure from Francesca's usual style. As you can see, Francesca didn't always look so butter–wouldn't–melt...! 

Mrs Lodge wows on stage. 1930s but so glamorous and so modern.

A famed beauty, Francesca and her sister Berthe were a renowned Italian dance duo, who ran a dance studio above the barracks of the Brookline Fire Department in Massachussetts. Francesca's costumes required special authorisation by the Mayor himself – as they were deemed too small to be worn on a public beach! All in the name of art, of course…

A fan photo of renowned 1920s beauty, Francesca

Francesca met her husband–to–be on the set of a movie; John Davis Lodge was the grandson of a famous Senator and would himself go into politics in later life. But in 1929, at the time of their wedding, he and Francesca made a fabulous glamour couple – the IT couple of 1929! 

Francesca and husband John Davis Lodge

Once his career in politics began to take off, Francesca successfully transformed herself into a very respectable Mrs John Davis Lodge. The papers called her 'the First Lady of Connecticut' and 'a popular member of New York society's younger set'.

A popular member of New York's younger set!

Francesca and John had a long and happy marriage. Here they are in 1971, while John was US Ambassador in Buenos Aires… Still looking rather fabulous.

In the grounds of the US Embassy, Buenos Aires

Francesca lived to the grand age of 96. What a fantastic character, and what a life she must have enjoyed!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you'd like to see more original 1930s wedding dresses and vintage–style dresses,
try my new Etsy store...

And for more vintage–style wedding dresses, 
please check out my Heavenly Collection here…

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Are These The Most Stylish Weddings of 2015?

Dear Reader,

How's your Christmas going? All ready...? No, me neither. No matter how early you get started, doesn't it always seem a rush. Well, let's steal a minute away from the festive frenzy to draw breath and enjoy a few vintage moments from our year. 

Kick off those high heels, swap your spiced rum cocktail for a nice cup of Earl Grey, and relax while I show you the Most Stylish Brides of 2015 according to the Daily Telegraph... 

Heiress Beatrice Borromeo in Armani Prive… just one of her five couture wedding dresses!

As it's The Daily Telegraph these are crazy society weddings. All the brides do look stunning – but at what a price! One wedding dress is encrusted with 15 carats of Chopard diamonds. Another wedding dress is rumoured to have cost over £50,000. And heiress Beatrice Borromeo wears not one or even two – but five couture wedding dresses! A tad excessive... non?

Hilary Rhoda in Carolina Herrara dress, encrusted with 14.7 carats of Chopard diamonds!

However, most of these fabulous couture wedding dresses are based on vintage originals. And it's perfectly possible to achieve equally stunning looks on a more realistic budget. So – of course – I can't resist showing you how...!

Beatrice Borromeo in blush Valentino vintage–inspired wedding dress and cape

Beatrice Borromeo

For her official wedding ceremony, Heiress Beatrice Borromeo chose a pale pink Valentino silk tulle gown with a delicate beaded cape (above). I'm always looking for similar antique beaded capes from Victorian to 1930s. And if you too love this look, do call me to see what little treasure are in my current stock. 

An original vintage wedding capelet, from my West London studio.

A week later, Borromeo said 'I do' again – this time on one of her family's islands! For this ceremony, she wore a beautiful ivory-coloured dress with a flared silhouette in Chantilly lace from Armani's luxury Privé label. The silk chiffon layered gown was paired with a delicate silk tulle veil, also with a Chantilly lace border.

Beatrice Borromeo in Armani Prive wedding dress

Full length lace wedding dresses like this one are always in style. I have a range of lovely figure–flattering dresses in my Heavenly Collection made from exquisite lace (and you don't even need to be an heiress to afford one!) As well as some wonderful original lace wedding dresses like the 1960s one shown below…

Full length, 1940s–inspired lace wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection.

Original 1960s vintage wedding dress in lace, from my West London studio.

Long lace veil from my Heavenly Collection

Allison Williams

Another featured bride is Girls actress Allison Williams. Allison married entrepreneur Ricky Van Veen in September at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming, in a ceremony officiated by actor Tom Hanks. Her 1950s–inspired Oscar de la Renta gown was created by the fashion house's British creative director, Peter Copping. The heavily embellished gown featured a sheer, long-sleeved overlay atop a full-skirted strapless dress.

Allison Williams in Oscar de la Renta wedding dress.

These 1950s wedding dresses are so feminine and flattering, whether original or simply vintage–style like my Heavenly Collection version below. These styles really are timeless. Look out for the cinched waist, full skirt and neat bodice.

Original 1950s wedding dress from my West London studio.

One of many 1950s inspired lace wedding dresses in my Heavenly Collection

Nicky Hilton

Not only Allison's but several other dresses in the Most Stylish list had their roots in classic 1950s styles. Nicky Hilton married banking scion James Rothschild in Kensington Palace Gardens in London. Her 1950s–style couture lace Valentino gown that is said to have cost £50,000 and with its high neck, full skirt and long sleeves has echoes of everyone's favourite brides Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton.

Nicky Hilton in lace Valentino wedding dress

1950s style lace wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection

Noor Fares

Fine jeweller Noor Fares also chose 1950s style for her wedding to artist Alexandre Al Khawam at a beautiful ceremony in Normandy in June. Her first dress – yes, there were two – was this beautiful haute couture Giambattista Valli gown. 

Noor Fares in 1950s style wedding dress by Giambattista Valli.

1950s lace wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection

Noor also wore an Azzedine Alaia wedding dress, speckled with delicate pearls...

Noor Fares in Azzedine Alaia wedding dress.

Bar Refaeli

The next bride featured in the Most Stylish list is Israeli model Bar Refaeli. For her lavish wedding to business magnate Adi Ezra this year, Bar wore a custom-made, 1970s–inspired bohemian Chloe gown.. and looked every inch a supermodel!

Bar Refaeli in Chloe vintage–inspired wedding dress

But you don't have to be a model marrying a millionaire to look gorgeous in a boho–style original vintage wedding dress, like this beautiful original 1970s dress from my collection...

Original 1970s wedding dress from my West London studio.

Original 1970s wedding dress from my West London studio

Hilary Rhoda

Model Hilary Rhoda wore an elegant and simple 1930s–inspired Carolina Herrera wedding gown to marry NHL player Sean Avery in the Hamptons. But – you guessed it – this chic and 'simple' dress also featured beading with 14.7 carats of Chopard diamonds!

Hilary Rhoda in Carolina Herrara wedding dress

For similarly chic and elegant 1930s–inspired silhouettes try my Heavenly Collection… (Real diamonds come as extra!)

1930s style lace wedding dress with fishtail, from my Heavenly Collection.

1930s inspired wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection

Riley Keough

Model and actress Riley Keough wed stuntman Ben Smith-Peterson in Napa Valley in Feruary. She wore a Delphine Manivet Couture gown featuring double levels of soft French lace, long sleeves with vintage-style buttons and a stunning open back. Truly lovely and very 1940s.

Riley Keogh in 1940s style full length lace wedding dress

1940s lace wedding dress & jacket, from my West London studio

1940s inspired lace wedding dress, from my Heavenly Collection

1940s inspired lace wedding dress from my Heavenly Collection

Sophie Hunter

Theatre director Sophie Hunter and actor Benedict Cumberbatch may have kept their wedding pictures under wraps, but thanks to US Vogue we got a good look at the bride's heavenly dress. The Valentino gown was Medieval-inspired with long sleeves, a high neck and formed of delicate silvery-grey lace.

Sophie Hunter in grey Valentino lace wedding dress

While I can't promise to find you an original Medieval dress (!) many 1960s styles are based on this timeless silhouette – with its flattering empire line, high neck and elegant lace sleeves. This original Priscilla of Boston 1960s wedding dress was recently sold from my collection, but do contact me if you're a fan of this beautiful look…

Original 1960s wedding dress by Priscilla of Boston, from my studio.

Detail from Priscilla of Boston 1960s wedding dress.

Sabine G

For her wedding to billionaire Joseph Getty, Lebanese–Egyptian jewellery designer Sabine G wore a wedding dress and cape by couture house Schiaparelli. The outfit was hand–embellished with no less than 500,000 sequins. A fabulous dress to end the list – and one I'm afraid I can't match. But I guess when you're marrying into the Getty family, you really need to pull out all the stops! 

Sabine G wears Schiaparelli couture wedding dress and cape with 500,000 sequins

Well, did you agree with their selection, and which is your favourite? At New Year (not so long now!) I'll be delighted to show you my own personal favourites from my real vintage brides – looking every bit as beautiful and radiant as the selection here! A happy wedding day, a room full of loved ones, a proud groom and a beautiful vintage dress – these are the things that can make every bride look as beautiful as any supermodel!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

With thanks to The Daily Telegraph

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Vintage Bride Rachel, in 1930s-style Angel lace wedding dress.

Dear Reader,
Meet our lovely Vintage Bride of the Week, Rachel, wearing the Angel dress from my Heavenly Collection…

This adorably floaty and romantic dress looks so pretty on Rachel and fitted her wonderful figure like a dream. (With some input from Heavenly's expert seamstress Grace, of course!) 

Angel is closely based on an original 1930s wedding dress, and is made in superb quality Nottingham lace. Beautiful bride Rachel cleverly kept her accessories chic and simple – just a pretty pillbox headpiece and gorgeous white blooms...

Sometimes simple really is best, isn't it!

Love

Helena

Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try…

A Guide to 1930s Wedding Dresses

And for more Real Vintage Brides, check out my website page here...

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The perfect veil for 1950s wedding dresses.

Dear Reader,
Today I'd like to show you the second in my new range of heavenly vintage veils, together with some of the inspiration behind it...

This beautiful mid-length veil is made of a fine and delicate tulle, and embellished with pretty embroidered edging and detailing. It looks wonderful with all 1950s wedding dresses…

Though deceptively simple and pretty, it's constructed with two tiers. So it can be worn over the face, to make a dramatic entrance – and swept back for that fabulously romantic You-may-now-kiss-the-bride moment.

Here's some of the glamorous 1950s inspiration behind this classic style…

Brigitte Bardot, 1956

Princess Grace of Monaco, 1955

Bride Magazine 1958

1950s Vogue bridal shoot

Brides Magazine, 1955

Elizabeth Taylor and Nicky Hilton, 1950

The mid-length vintage-style veil – fit for a Princess!

Held in place with a simple comb, the veil can be made to any length to make it perfect for your own choice of vintage wedding dress. And the detailing can be adapted to complement your dress too, with a choice of pearls or crystals scattered throughout.

This beautiful veil is priced from £95 to £175 depending on your choice of length and detail. Do contact me to make an appointment to come and see me soon!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try
My New Range of Vintage Style Veils – the Birdcage Veil

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