Friday Inspiration: Alexander McQueen

Dear Reader,
It's not all work–work–work here at Vintage Wedding Dress Towers, you know! Everyone needs to hit the pause button now and then, to look around and get inspired...

So today – for the first in a series of 'Friday Inspiration' posts – I'd like to share these two fab (and short) videos on fashion genius Alexander McQueen.

McQueen was a huge fan of vintage fashion and often referred back to it in his work. His amazing fashions are explored in a new exhibition at the V&A – The Museum of Savage Beauty – opening tomorrow. Can't wait to see it!
Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try
High Fashion Meets Vintage at the Met Ball

Read more

Real Vintage Bride Susan in 1930s-style wedding dress, 'Violette'.

Dear Reader,
Inspired by this burst of early Spring sunshine, I've chosen a seaside summer wedding for our Real Vintage Bride of the week...

1930s-inspired silk satin wedding dress Violette from my Heavenly Collection

For her wedding to Matt last year, gorgeous bride Susan chose to wear Violette in silk satin, from my Heavenly Collection of vintage-inspired wedding dresses.

Fabulosity vintage-style, on the Beach!

Ahh, summer days! Here's what Susan had to say about it…

"It was a beautiful day and I felt amazing in the dress, it was definitely the right choice. I got so many compliments on it all day too – a big success!"

Glorious. Roll on summer.
Love 
Helena 
Heavenly Vintage Brides

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

Read more

Vintage Wedding Dress Trends 2015 - number 7

Dear Reader,
I think you probably already know I love this one, the last of my tips for the year ahead…

Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Pre-Fall 2015

7. HIGH NECKLINES

This is a high fashion statement which again has its roots in vintage dressing. Doesn't it look so elegant to have a high neckline and long sleeves…

Original 1960s wedding dress with high neck and long sleeves, priced £995

Real bride Molly, in vintage 1960s wedding dress by Priscilla of Boston

I'm always looking for beautiful 1960s wedding dresses that feature this trend, particularly by one of my favourite designers - Priscilla of Boston. I've dressed several beautiful brides in her dresses from the 1960s and early 70s.

Original 1960s high-necked wedding dress in nude lace, priced £850

Real bride Molly in Priscilla 1960s wedding dress, with high lace neckline

1960s high neck wedding dress by Priscilla of Boston

Original 1960s wedding dress with lace high neck and sleeves, price £850

Priscilla managed to create such an elegant look with flattering silhouettes, high necklines, long sleeves and rows of tiny buttons down the back.

Let's end with beautiful real bride Molly in 1960s Priscilla wedding dress

Watch out for this trend in 2015 - as seen in Sarah Burton's latest show for Alexander McQueen (pictured at top). And if you'd like to see more original 1960s wedding dresses, do contact me.

Love
Helena 
Heavenly Vintage Brides

Thanks to Abby at Cherished for the models' headwear

Read more

Vintage Wedding Dress Trends 2015 - Number 6

Dear Reader
Back to my vintage wedding style forecasts today - with fabulous trend no 6...

6. ALL-OVER BEADED LACE

Beaded lace is suddenly trending again - just take a look at the best Oscar dresses from this weekend. And it's perfect with vintage-inspired gowns. 

Lupita Nyongo's vintage-inspired dress with all-over beading by Calvin Klein

On a fashion history note, contrary to popular belief, 1920s and 1930s vintage wedding dresses were very rarely beaded. Beading was more of an evening fashion among wealthy society girls. 

Emma Stone in chartreuse beaded lace dress by Elie Saab, Oscars 2015

To incorporate this lovely luxe trend, I've recreated my Butterfly dress in a sumptuous and glamorous all-over beaded lace. I'm looking forward to showing it to lots of lovely brides-to-be. 

Whatever I do with my vintage-inspired dresses, my number one aim is to keep their vintage old-fashioned charm and not make any statements which are too obvious, and I think this lovely lace has a subtle sparkle which just works.

Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, please try…
Vintage Wedding Trends 2015, number 4

Read more

Looking forward to the Oscars…?

Dear Reader,
Isn't this chart gorgeous?

Before we see this year's crop of fabulous (ok… and perhaps a few not-so-fabulous) Oscars gowns, it's fun to remember these brilliant vintage dresses going right back to 1929. Which are your favourites...?

Love
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

With thanks to Media Run Digital for the awesome infographic!

Read more

Vintage Wedding Dress Trends 2015 - Number 5

Dear Reader,
Another lovely style that's swinging right back into fashion this year…

1950s wedding dress worn by the fabulous Audrey Hepburn, in Funny Face (1957)

5. 1950s-style! Full frothy skirts, net and lace. 

These cute and frothy prom-style dresses have always been popular. But over the last few years they've slipped a little, as fashion took a more sleek and pared-down direction.  

1950s style wedding dress BLANCHE from my Heavenly Collection

Original 1950s vintage wedding dress with frothy full length skirt

1950s style BLANCHE wedding dress worn by real bride Kathryn

BLANCHE 1950s style wedding dress in lace

Original 1950s wedding dress in lace and tulle net

This year, I'm delighted to say 1950s dresses are feeling fresh and pretty again, and are seriously in demand... 

BLANCHE 1950s style wedding dress in lace, from my Heavenly Collection

1950s style wedding dress BLANCHE on real vintage bride Chloe

Original 1950s lace wedding dress

Original 1950s wedding dress, full skirt in ballerina length in floral lace

1950s style wedding dresses from my Heavenly Collection: CHANTILLY

1950s style wedding dresses from the Heavenly Collection: BLANCHE

1950s style wedding dress BLANCHE in ballerina length lace

1950s wedding dress in lace and net, on real vintage bride Jane

Original 1950s vintage wedding dress in lace and tulle net

Original 1950s vintage wedding dress in lace and tulle net

1950s style BLANCHE wedding dress, with three quarter sleeves

The pictures here are a mix of fabulous original 1950s wedding dresses in lace and tulle, and my beautiful reproduction 1950s dresses Blanche and Chantilly, from my Heavenly Collection of vintage-inspired wedding dresses. 

1950s style CHANTILLY wedding dress in lace and tulle

1950s style CHANTILLY wedding dress worn by real bride Sophie 

1950s style wedding dress CHANTILLY from my Heavenly Collection

The original vintage 1950s dresses pictured here are sold, but I always have more vintage in stock - in addition to the reproduction dresses in my Heavenly Collection. 

1950s style wedding dress BLANCHE from my Heavenly Collection

1950s style wedding dress BLANCHE with pretty v-back in lace

A welcome return for full-on 1950s femininity! Do contact me or like me on facebook if you're a fan of this pretty style and would like to see more.
Love

Helena

Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post please try…

Real vintage bride Kathryn

Real vintage bride Jane

Real vintage bride Chloe

Read more

Vintage Wedding Dress Trends for 2015 - Number 4...

Dear Reader,
My next tip for 2015 is a trend I really love. I'm so pleased to see it right back in style...

1940s style silk satin wedding dress, Florence - soft, womanly and flowing.

4. SOFT SATIN SLEEVES, 1940s STYLE

Long fitted lace sleeves have been very popular for the last few years (perhaps influenced by McQueen's fabulous dress for Kate Middleton). But now my clients are beginning to ask for a more flowing, 1940s style of sleeve in a soft satin.

1940s inspired Florence wedding dress, with soft silk sleeves

You may already know how much I love this look - with its sexy, womanly glamour and its roots in the golden age of Hollywood.

1940s style icon Lauren Bacall, in sophisticated white.

Plus this trend has another fabulous feature: it's SO flattering and easy to wear! 

1940s style icon Lauren Bacall in soft silk evening dress.

Here's Florence again (from my Heavenly Collection of vintage inspired wedding dresses), showing long soft sleeves in silk. Florence is inspired by an original 1940s dress and has that same soft-fitting glamour. 

Florence, 1940s style wedding dress in silk with long sleeves, beading and lace trim.

For 2015, I am making this sleeve style in a transparent silk chiffon - very in keeping with the 1940s origins of the dress. Watch this space!
Love 
Helena
Heavenly Vintage Brides

If you like this post, try…
Vintage Wedding Dress Trends for 2014 - Part 1…

Vintage Wedding Dress Trends for 2014 - Part 2…

Vintage Wedding Dress Trends for 2014 - Part 3…

Thanks to Robert Lawler for the beautiful photography
and to Abby at Cherished for the lovely headwear.

Read more