Pearl Bespoke Dressmakers

Bristol Vintage is thrilled to introduce you to Pearl Bespoke Dressmakers.

Pearl Bespoke design and make dresses for special occasions.

Whether it's a wedding dress or a bridesmaid's dress you're after…

…whether you're looking for a red carpet style, something more theatrical or a vintage reproduction, Pearl Bespoke will design and make it for you.

You can find out more by popping into Pearl's new bijou shop on Bristol's St Nicholas Street or check out her website, Facebook page and Twitter. Do make sure you come and meet her in person this Sunday at our Bristol Vintage Wedding Fair - she'll have some beautiful dresses for you to admire and will be on hand to answer your dress design questions.

(Thanks to Bang-Tidy Photography for Photos 1 & 3)

Alexandra King Bridal

We’re delighted to welcome back Alexandra King Bridal to this year’s Fair.

Alexandra King launched her debut bridal collection in 2011, emphasising the British craftsmanship of her label and concentrating on the individual design and cut of every hand crafted dress. The dresses pictured here are just some of her beautiful creations.

In 2012, Alexandra King launched a second bridal collection and developed her online profile so that it’s even easier to order dresses from her online shop, instead of having to go to the studio. There are lots of bridal, bridesmaids and flower girl dresses to choose from and they’re always happy to send out fabric samples to help you select the colour that fits with your theme.

This year, Alexandra King is concentrating on bridesmaids and ready-to-wear dresses at the Fair: “ Since last year’s Fair at Bristol Zoo we were inundated with orders for wedding and bridesmaids dresses, so much so that were fully booked at the studio! It was so lovely to meet new clients at the Fair and we have worked on some really beautiful dresses over the past year.”

On the day, Anna will be unveiling her collection of flower girl dresses.  Anna has worked with Alexandra right from the beginning as head seamstress, and with her debut collection, expect lots of tulle and cuteness! Alexandra will also be bringing new bridesmaids dresses for summer that can all be ordered online in a selection of colours and prints for your wedding. There will be one or two bridal dresses on show too, along with her full portfolio of last year’s weddings to give you plenty of ideas.

Alexandra is really looking forward to meeting everyone and hearing about your plans for your big day. Catch her at our Fair on March 10^th!

(Thanks to Sally R Photography, Assassynation, Morag MacDonald, Laura Michelle and Emma Case for the beautiful photographs.)

Charlotte Smith for the Bride

Charlotte Smith has been designing beautiful vintage-style bridalwear for years.  She’s known for her fluid, feminine and very wearable dresses.

Currently developing her business, Bristol-based Charlotte will be bringing some of her gorgeous ready-made stock to our next Fair.  Ranging in size from 8 – 14, these handmade pieces are very versatile.  Made from beautiful silks, pure new wool or devoré they can be styled as contemporary or as vintage as you like.

It's not just dresses Charlotte designs either. On the day she'll also have several wedding outfits to include jackets and skirts, jackets and trousers and dresses with jackets.  There’ll be short as well as long slimline dresses as well as dresses with trains and dresses with and without sleeves. These outfits are perfect for civil weddings, registry office weddings and weddings abroad. Charlotte's lightweight and non-crease devoré dresses and trouser suits (with matching shawls and scarves) are a practical choice as you can fold them up in your suitcase for travelling.

On the day of the Fair, Charlotte will be on hand to talk about your wedding requirements and advise you on style and fit. She’ll have plenty of individual feminine styles for you to try on. Don't miss it!

If you would like to view any of the dresses prior to the Fair, you can call her direct on 0797685014 or email her at charlotte.smith3@blueyonder.co.uk

Make Me A Dress

In Spring 2011 Alexandra King launched her debut bridal collection, emphasising the British craftsmanship of her label and concentrating on the individual design and cut of every hand crafted dress.  One look at her wonderful dress archive reveals just some of her beautiful bespoke creations.

Every dress is hand made from start to finish in her small studio near Cheddar with the highest levels of expertise, each design unique for each customer.  Alexandra uses original, vintage techniques authentic to the era of the dress you require and aims to produce each one as ethically and sustainably as possible in the UK, using vintage fabrics, fair trade and organic cottons and sourcing from UK companies who have close contact with the factories they work with.  She keeps track of current trends, but her inspirations come from the golden age of couture, mainly drawing ideas from film and 20th century fashions.  Think traditional design mixed with theatrics and a little sparkle.

Alexandra’s always happy to meet her customers although doesn’t maintain a shop open to the public.  You’re more than welcome to visit for a consultation on your dress and for measuring, but life in the studio is a busy one so all visits are by appointment only.  She also has an online shop and boutiques on both Etsy and Asos.  Dresses from her bridal collection are all made to order to your measurements and take approximately 8 weeks to complete, but do note that due to this hand made process she can only make a limited number of dresses each year!  

In addition to the beautiful bridal creations, you’ll find bridesmaids dresses alongside brilliant bow accessories on her website.  Each item she makes is special and Alexandra King has a rare skill, making sure each creation is as unique and as perfect as it can be without being prohibitively expensive.  I thoroughly recommend browsing the archives on her site and you can see the real deal on the day, as she’ll be exhibiting at the Bristol Vintage Fair in 2012 and bringing along samples of her beautiful designs.   

http://makemeadress.blogspot.com/