Archive for April, 2011

The Biggest Petticoat you have ever seen!

Friday, April 15th, 2011

At the BBEH one of our Blue Ribbon petticoat customers requested an extra extra full petticoat for a bride, and we were happy to oblige – you know we love a challenge!

The BR31 is the biggest petticoat we have ever made – yes even bigger than the BR16(!) – and as far as we know the biggest petticoat on the market. With four hoops, four layers of stiff net and a V-waist, this petticoat is the perfect light yet full structure for princess gowns.

Extra Full Petticoat

The BR31 is so big we couldn't even get it to our studio to photograph it!

The power net V-waist gives a sleek, smooth silhouette and provides the perfect platform to hold the petticoat.

V-waisted petticoat

With only 4 layers of net the petticoat is very light and leaves a lot of room for the bride to move around. The structure and size comes from the four hoops which hold the net in place, create a beautiful shape and hold the net away from the bride’s legs.

BR31 Sketch

The largest hoop in the petticoat is 3.9 metres long, that is 1.25 metres across plus the layers of net on top! Of course, this extra full petticoat requires one of our larger blue ribbons to finish it off!

Blue Ribbon Petticoats

This petticoat is now available to order, just give us a call on 01353 661600 or email info@richarddesigns.co.uk

Don’t forget about our petticoat offer for the month of April only – buy 10 of any BR1, BR5 or BR10 and get a large discount. See here for more details.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Bridal Shops, Latest News, Petticoats | 6 Comments »

Guest Blog: Introducing our Design Assistant Anna

Tuesday, April 12th, 2011

This guest blog comes from our Design Assistant Anna. Many of you will have met Anna at the BBEH and Moda shows and will have seen her great enthusiasm for her role at Richard Designs! With great knowledge of all things bridal she will share with us her view on the latest trends and the best way to coordinate your wedding accessories with your gown every month.

Anna at Moda

Anna, on the left, with our Head Designer Kelly at Moda

Hi everyone!

I would just like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you all and talk briefly about my role here at Richard designs. I have always had a keen eye for feminine details and love designing bridal accessories as my design work is soft and delicate in colour and in form. I adore all things beautiful!

Within my role as Design Assistant I support Kelly our Head Designer in all aspects of the design process. I assist with trend and inspirational research, sourcing information and developing mood boards. I contribute to the main Richard Designs collections, Boutique and Nieve, designing for all brands. Alongside my design role I also assist with sourcing new components, and attend both Moda and BBEH shows.

I enjoy the run up to both shows, in particular BBEH. In the last March show we worked hard to create two themes ‘Wedding in Wonderland’ and  ‘Fishtail fantasies and pearly persuasions’. Both themes influenced our design development process. Within the Boutique Collection I love experimenting with fabric manipulation and using our wide range of colourful silks. I adore the intricate detailing within the RD collection, and enjoy using crystal and vintage style filigrees to create unique and fashionable designs.

I am constantly being inspired and love nothing more then curling up with Vogue and looking at designers’ latest creations! My favourite designers have to be Monique L’huillier, Jenny Packham, Amanda Wakely and Elie Saab to name a few. Defiantly a girly girl, I enjoy shopping and I am always inspired by high street as well as couture fashions. Nature, interior design and fashion photography interest me greatly. I enjoy the process of exploring how elements taken from other areas of design can be used within bridal wear.

This is just a small insight into my interests and role at Richard Designs. I really enjoy chatting to you all at our shows, finding out about your shops and which styles you love.  I look forward to seeing you all again in the near future!

Anna
Assistant to Head of Design

Thanks Anna for taking the time to write for us! Look out for Anna’s blogs on wedding trends coming soon!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Company Information, Latest News | 1 Comment »

The Making of the Black Swan

Friday, April 8th, 2011

We were flattered to be asked to create a stunning piece for the Swarovski Gallery at this March’s BBEH. Lots of research and hard work from our design team followed, and now Kelly shares the creation story with us:

Swarovski gallery Swan

The revered Black Swan movie, starring Oscar winning actress Natalie Portman, is the inspiration for the Design team’s recent collaboration. Organisers of the Bridal Buyer Swarovski Innovation Gallery at the recent British Bridal Exhibition Harrogate in March 2011, asked us to enter a piece to be included in their gallery. It had to be as innovative and dramatic as we could think up, and was to be a showcase for Swarovski Crystal Elements.

Made with Swarovski Elements

Our piece, along with other dress and accessory manufacturers, was displayed at the show for the public to view. Our entry was a fully dressed mannequin with full tulle tutu/petticoat, scattered with Cosmojet crystals and feathers. An entirely crystallized fitted bodice, which had been distressed, and feather appliquéd to create the tortured appearance that describes the character of the Black swan. And to finish this glorious crystal creation, an oversized crystal and feather headdress with mask detail that appears to grow into the headdress.

Swarovski Gallery Swan BBEH

Black Swan BBEH

Using over 14,400 flatback stones of varying size and shape, nearly 2,300 fancy stones, pendants and bicone beads, and the bodice constructed of nearly three metres of crystal hematite fabric, this piece is a crystal, tulle and feather symphony!

Black Swan Bodice
Swarovski Black Swan Cuff Swarovski Crystals Black Swan

It took four members of the design team almost a week to construct the bodice, tiara, mask and cuffs, along with the assistance of the petticoat seamstress, and our pattern maker in the making of the tutu. The design process, sourcing of materials and execution probably took in total three weeks, but it was both an enjoyable challenge and a great team building project, that I would hope you agree, displays that British design and innovation is not in demise!

Black Swan

Currently our Black Swan is travelling the world, to be included in the Swarovski Innovation gallery at the First Look and Modatex shows in Holland and Germany on 8-9 May and 25-28 June.

Swarovski Elements Gallery BBEH

I would like to thank Claire, everyone from the design team and petticoats, for their help with this rather challenging, but fun project!

Kelly

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Company Information, Latest News, Petticoats, Tiaras | No Comments »

New Gallery for The Classics by Richard Designs

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

The Classics by Richard Designs

The Classics have arisen from 25 years of experience designing bridal wear accessories. Comprising of simple, elegant styles, this collection is easy to wear and simple to coordinate. Since their launch The Classics have been extremely popular with brides. Now the collection has its own dedicated space on the website, including images of some of the beautiful wedding veils, tiaras and jewellery sets included in the collection. Click here to see the new Classics page.

The Classics Gallery

The Classics are perfect for every bride. Beautiful, simple styles of veils, tiaras and jewellery are on-trend yet have a timeless element to them. Veils are soft and floaty, with a selection of edges from satin ribbon to fine embroidered, and a choice of pearl and crystal scatters and crystal drops. Tiaras are made with Swarovski crystals, crystal pearls and our supremely comfortable bands. Jewellery sets include a necklace and pair of earrings to perfectly coordinate with the Classics tiaras. All are made to order for you in England in your colour choice.

If you are a bride and are interested in wearing a veil, tiara or jewellery set from the Classics, contact us for details of your local stockists.

If you own a bridal shop and are interested in stocking the Classics then call Vicki on 01353 661600 or email vicki@richarddesigns.co.uk to make a no-obligation appointment with our company representative to see the collection in its entirety. As with all of our products there is no minimum order on the Classics.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Bridal Shops, Company Information, Jewellery, Latest News, Tiaras, Veils | No Comments »

A Very Special Offer from Blue Ribbon Petticoats

Friday, April 1st, 2011

Good news for all Blue Ribbon Petticoat fans! For the duration of April Blue Ribbon Petticoats are running a very special offer for all existing and new customers. Our most popular styles: BR1, BR5 & BR10 are all included in the offer.

BR1 The a-line style with two hoops, frill and ribbon hem

A-line Petticoat BR1

BR5 The a-line petticoat with single hoop, three layers of flared nets plus lining

A-line petticoat BR5

BR10 The simple single hooped style

A-line petticoat BR10

If you buy ten or more of a mixture of any of these styles in Small or Medium sizes then you will qualify for a significant discount.

Petticoats are so important in enhancing the look of a wedding gown, even those without full skirts. The hoop keeps the hemline away from the bride’s feet, letting her float down the aisle and the smooth power net waist creates a beautiful silhouette. Each Blue Ribbon Petticoat is finished to the highest quality and includes a small blue ribbon for ‘something blue’.

To find out how much you could save, just call us on 01353 661600 or email info@richarddesigns.co.uk

To see more petticoat styles, see our gallery.

Tags: ,
Posted in Bridal Shops, Latest News, Petticoats | 2 Comments »
Newer Entries »

You are currently browsing the Richard Designs Wedding Blog blog archives for April, 2011.