LK BESPOKE BRIDAL - LUXURIOUS HANDMADE CORSETS AND BRIDALWEAR

One of the great things about the Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair is that it's given us a chance to meet incredibly talented people like Lisa Keating, the designer behind LK Bespoke Bridal, who genuinely creates each gown, corseted bodice and skirt by hand.

copyright Abigail Grace, exclusive to www.bridezillas.biz
photo by Photo-Dabek

With almost 30 years experience of designing and making wedding gowns and corsets, Lisa  offers a truly personal service for women seeking an individual, bespoke style.

copyright Abigail Grace exclusive to www.bridezillas.biz
Photo by Photo-Dabek

Visiting Lisa at her workshop on the borders of South Bristol and North Somerset is a real treat as you are surrounded by amazing swatches of silks, lace & tulles in an abundance of colours.  Here she will work with you to capture your vision, advise on what will suit you and what fabrics will work best for the style to create your perfect outfit.

One of the most passionate designers I know, Lisa takes pride in developing each gown from the early research stages through to fabric sourcing, pattern-cutting and then creating your individual dress by hand to couture standards.  You will love working with her and be thrilled with the finished result.

Every garment is a work of art, with her passion for her work and her desire to make it your 'dream' dress ensuring you will feel like the proverbial princess on your wedding day. But don't take my word for it, check out the testimonies from her happy brides.

Lisa's design service offers everything from hand made gowns, corsets and co-ordinating skirt, Mother of the Bride outfits, shrugs, wraps & boleros, flattering neck corsets and lace jewellery and even wedding shoe customisation and embellishment, as well as alterations.

Excitingly, Lisa is about to launch her collection of lingerie garments, Lisa Keating Undercover, and also offers a Victorian corset workshop - where you will design, cut and make a fully fitted, boned, lined and back-laced corset in the material of your choice! Come and say hello at the fair and you'll leave feeling totally inspired!

CLIFTON ROCKS - UNIQUE HANDMADE JEWELLERY

We're so pleased Clifton Rocks are joining us again this year.  Based in Clifton, this independent jewellery company makes & designs contemporary jewellery as well as showcase unique handmade jewellery by national and local designers, include pieces by Clare Chandler, the shop's owner.

As well as the dress and suit, most couples would agree the rings are the most important purchase as they will last you a lifetime and be a reminder of your love, so it's essential you find something perfect for you!

Clifton Rocks specialise in making beautiful bespoke wedding and engagement rings  and Clare and her co-workers, Sammi and Jacks can make alterations and repairs and one-off commissions.  Gold can be re-used and stones re-set and used for new designs.

The beauty of this is that if you have a family heirloom or a piece of jewellery with sentimental value that you'd like to incorporate into the design they are full of fabulous ideas to help create something that is totally unique to you. So whether you want something totally modern or something vintage to be restored or transformed into a totally new piece, Clifton Rocks can help.

As well as your own wedding rings or one-off piece of jewellery for your big day, they also have a selection of earrings and necklaces which would be perfect bridesmaids gifts!

Come and meet Claire at the fair and have a chat with her about what she can do for you.

LOOK AND FEEL THE VERY BEST VERSION OF YOURSELF THE 'THE FAMOUS' 1886 WEDDING TAILORING SERVICE

Richard Cole is rightly proud of his heritage as the great-grandson of Abraham Cole, who took over 'The Famous' in Cheltenham in 1896.  Richard himself joined the business in 1999, becoming Menswear Director in 2007 and, with tailoring in his blood, he is very proud to bring this tradition to new life and to new and existing clients with a contemporary twist.

Richard is dedicated to continuing the legacy of highest quality tailoring, personally selected using his 15 years experience and also offering advice about shirts, ties and accessories to complete the outfit.

The importance of customer service was instilled into Richard from a young age and he recognised the strength of the business was offering something not available elsewhere on the high street - a truly personal service and superb quality menswear.

Richard wants his clients to enjoy the process and considers it his job to make finding the right suit less daunting, stress free and enjoyable so that you end up with the perfect garment for you. He offers no obligation visits and can provide semi bespoke tailoring, wedding tailoring, personal tailoring, evening tailoring as well as an off the peg service that includes alterations.  If you can't fit in a visit to his premises, then he can visit you and your bride at home, so you can both be involved in the process.

Visit Richard at the wedding fair to have a chat about how he can help you find the perfect suit for your wedding day or any other occasion.  As Richard says "There is nothing better than a well dressed, well suited man" and I think we can all agree with that!

All photographs courtesy of Jim Fear, fearphotography.com

Clifton Rocks

Bristol Vintage loves Clifton Rocks.

Clifton Rocks is a Bristol jeweller with a unique contemporary collection.

They feature work by talented local and national designers, including pieces like this double heart necklace by the shop’s owner Clare Chandler.

This Forget-Me-Not necklace is by Sam Richards.

The lace earrings and lace cuff bangle is by I Love a Lassie.

And this gorgeous necklace is by Jacks Turner.

Their collection is constantly updated and Clifton Rocks also has an on-site workshop, where Clare can make alterations, repairs and one-off commissions on request. Find out more on their website, follow them on Facebook and Twitter or pop by their shop at the top of The Mall in Clifton Village (across the road from The Mall pub and up the hill from Cote Brasserie). But make sure you come and meet Clare and see some of her beautiful and unique jewellery at our next Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair.

Clifton Hill Costume and Textiles

Bristol Vintage is delighted to welcome back Clifton Hill Costume and Textiles.

Clifton Hill Costume and Textiles is an antique and vintage costumier as well as a haberdashery with a unique collection of vintage ‘Mother of the Bride’ ensembles, men’s morning suits and stunning gowns on offer. They also run a hire, alterations and customisation service.

Since last year Clifton Hill Costume and Textiles has enlisted the help of some very talented ladies, so alongside their wonderful collections they now have some of AMG Costumier’s beautiful creations - think bridalwear corsets, regency dresses and more. Abby of AMG also runs workshops and takes commissions.

Tricia Designs is an innovative milliner who's also exhibiting at our next Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair.  Since linking with Clifton Hill, nearly all of Tricia’s winter faux fur range and her recently launched S/S collection ‘Vintage Curl’ feature a little something from the shop, be it lace, a beautiful button or some rescued 20’s glass beads. Tricia also makes her own lace as featured on the hat below.

Clifton Hill's shop is brimming full of inspiring pieces, patterns and ideas, but make sure you visit them at our next Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair. They'll be bringing along plenty of things old, a few things new and something very special in blue!  

Custard House Clothing

Custard House Clothing is the home of beautiful reworked vintage clothes, a professional alterations service and Customising and Sewing Design Hen Parties.

Owner, Janine Chisholm, has had quite a year.  Her first book “Thrifty Style” was published and her business has gone from strength to strength.

A former student of Theatre Design, Janine specialised in Costume, completing a Post Graduate in Innovative Pattern Cutting at St Martins College of Fashion. She worked in Professional Theatre and Television for years and her passion for clothes and helping people with their dress led her to create her ingenious business.

At the Fair, Janine will be showcasing some beautiful period pieces, which will include an exciting eclectic range of Vintage Bridal and Party Wear ranging from the 1940s to 1990s. There’ll also be a stylish mix of exciting accessories for Brides, Bridesmaids and Guests. 

If you have a item of clothing that you’d like altered or customised or perhaps you have something you’re longing to wear as a Wedding guest but you’d like it to look more vintage inspired, Custard House Clothing provide a professional dressmaking service that’s perfect for you. 

Find Janine at our Fair this year, but if that outfit just can’t wait, you can contact her through her website or Facebook page. Happy sewing!

Custard House Clothing

Welcome to Custard House Clothing, the home of reworking vintage clothes.  If you have an item of clothing that you’d like altered or customised or perhaps you have something you’re longing to wear as a wedding guest but you’d like it to look more vintage inspired, Custard House Clothing provide a professional dressmaking service that’s perfect for you.  They can help out whether it’s recreating your favourite worn out winter coat, a special dress that needs a re-vamp or making you that perfect vintage outfit you saw in a magazine.  Custard House can turn their hand to anything, sorting your hemlines, linings, fixing holes and recreating an item you’ve loved but have worn to death!

With a boudoir boutique-style new shop at South Arcade, St Nicolas Market open Monday to Saturday and an outdoor stall open Fridays and Saturdays, talented owner Janine Chisholm is also available by email for any enquiries.  A former student of Theatre Design, Janine specialised in Costume, completing a Post Graduate in Innovative Pattern Cutting at St Martins College of Fashion. She worked in Professional Theatre and Television for years and her passion for clothes and helping people with their dress led her to create this ingenious business that’s so much more than alterations.  Janine also sells an evolving range of carefully selected vintage and vintage-inspired clothes customised by herself and talented designers Sawdust and Diamonds.  There’s also vintage accessories from Mulberry china tea sets to the perfect evening clutch, vintage buttons to update your favourite cardigan, pre 1990's clothing patterns if you fancy making something yourself, scarves and sunglasses.  It’s all there and more with items from local designers adding to the eclectic mix.

So perhaps you have a dress that needs a revamp?  Why not bring it along to the Fair and ask her advice?  Janine can inject vitality and new life into tired clothes, creating a brand new look for you that’s perfect for attending a wedding or perhaps a vintage wedding dress itself!  She can offer styling suggestions and we’re thrilled to discover she’s writing a book due out Autumn this year in which she details how to rework your own clothes alongside constructive advice and some beautiful visuals.  Till then, bring your wardrobe to Custard House Clothing to uplift, refresh and re-style and take a good look at their website or Facebook page.  Who knows what you’ll find?