Monthly Archives: August 2011

Regardless of the size of your business – a budget for models is  huge  With, effectively, a  new business to launch building costs,stock and increased overheads there was only a teeny tiny budget for models.

I sent forth Hayley, a friend of my daughter and Saturday girl to scout for size 8- 14 models   – gorgeous girls who’ll will work for a Topshop voucher!

The first few shots show the marvellous and unflappable Carolanne Armstrong  at work.

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Stylish bridesmaids dresses? A contradiction? A big fat oxymoron?

Worryingly true on many occasions. There is something close to mental torture about dressing adult women in the same dress. Someone usually comes off badly, often everyone. So what am I thinking ?

I think I found some good ones care of Lazaro, Alvina Valenta, Kelsey Rose Loulou and Nicki Macfarlane. There is, in my mind, plenty of scope for our brides to do cool mismatching, rainbows of colours or matchy colours different styles. However if the bride would like classic matching – I have picked styles that flatter all figures backed by our peerless fitting service.

Some shots here by EFC Photography of the new bridesmaids room – a spacious and calm space with vintage touches and a plenty of pretty!

Emma x

I have been, rather relentlessly, mentioning on on my blog about just  long I have worked in bridalwear. I don’t know if I’m subconsciously seeking a lifetime achievement award. Except I have a lot left to achieve. Today it ought to be a tidy house and empty washing baskets. Tomorrow back to the coal face of weddings.

Miss Bush has had a website since websites were in their infancy and latterly it has looked quite striking.  I have a personal Facebook account, primarily, to check up on my teenage kids. Why they add you then question how you know everything they’re up to always amuses me. Like’ Fraping’ them. Nobody call social services –  this is merely changing their status as a lesson in ecology – turn the PCs off when you go out!

However it has only recently that I have played an active part, in what  I have come to learn, is a vibrant, intelligent and talented online community of wedding professionals. I have joined the dots prefessionally between Facebook, Twitter and Blogging

Miss Bush had – still has  – reached a crossroads. The business had really outgrown it’s premises and my seamstresses were working in what can only be described as cramped conditions. Luckily we never had a documentary film crew in! There was no further possibility in any growth as there was simply no more room for a single extra dress. In December, my indomitable mother, who really never lets a fact escape her about  Ripley village, occupants or their business, found that the old Methodist Chapel across from the shop was available! Forward wind to July 1st and Miss Bush is totally transformed.

In the shop there are new, more private, changing areas, two first floor fitting rooms doubling our capacity on a Saturday to fit bride’s own dresses and a fabulous new 1st floor retail space created by knocking through the workroom, storeroom and kitchen. The Chapel has now become Miss Bush II. A spacious mezzanine houses Amy, Corinne and my office and admin area where we continue to wreak havoc on our suppliers and battle the daily deluge of emails! The beautiful chapel complete with stained glass windows has become a bright and spacious workroom with big cutting tables, ample storage and possibility for growth.

To celebrate, publicise and kick off the new bridesmaids and vintage boutique I organised a party! I jumped head first, without any armbands, into the sea of Twitter and surfaced with treasure. Excuse the sea metaphor – it is about to be extended! I keep trying to explain to those unfamiliar with Twitter and Bloggers that it feels like looking underwater without goggles to start with then when you ‘get it’ it’s like being given a full sub aqua kit. All the brilliant people, extraordinary ideas and marvellous images become focused.

It is an extraordinary resource – I put out a couple of posts asking for interested people, photographers in particular, to come forward and get involved and was overwhelmed with the response. Through this I have found EFC photography, Carolanne Armstrong, Bloomingayles and Cherished Vintage. I may add there are dozens more yet to be worked with who were unavailable or I simply haven’t had time to get to yet!

The lovely images from the nigh aret from Bea and Jude from EFC.

Retailers that don’t do bridesmaids – you can now send them our way. Brides – we do bridesmaids dresses. Vintage wholesalers – we have space!

Vintage China by A Cup of Vintage

Cupcakes by Bluebell Cupcakes

Getting ready – I’m dressing my daughter, Georgia.

Adjusting a Rachel Trevor Morgan hat – milliner to The Queen.

Cherished Vintage got in touch through a Tweet – now have they’re own dedicated dispay cabinet.

Emma x

I was there.

Like the Beatles at the Cavern Club or the Sex Pistols at the 100 Club. I was present at a fun night, overdoing the bubbles, to celebrate a stylish upstart that has helped fatally wound print publishing.  How telling that the the Love My Dress Soiree coincided precisely with the demise of Cosmo Bride.

Although Annabel is far too fragrant to be John Lydon and, as far as I could determine, she wasn’t with Lucy in the Sky,  though I did see diamonds. I feel very honoured to have been involved & invited to the the Love My Dress Soiree because I see it in the same light as I saw Fanzines and photocopied programmes in the early 80’s. As the triumph of self determination and vision over a big and unwieldy industry that has pampered Sloanes at the shallow end of the publishing pool and a myriad of beautiful exotics at the other end. Lucky me – I spent my evening with the collective Angel Fish of the North.

I am so impressed with the amount of excited, enthusiastic, passionate people I met who can’t wait to give up their day jobs and earn a living doing what makes them and many other people happy. They write because they need to, design because they burn to and party like it’s 1999!

Annabel – there were one or two hiccups. Mostly due to the attention to detail overriding the practicalities of a a dozen coach parties arriving simultaneously with a thirst for champagne and rubber necking – ‘can I recognise you from your profile picture?’ – stampede. Slightly irksome. But lovely,  like an ingenue. I have been to some very slick ‘do’s’ where a weary debutante trails you all night worrying that you’re going to nick something. (Brides Magazine – I did steal some Jo Malone candles – but they were half burnt I promise!)

I have the zeal of a convert, a born again buyer. I want my own party now and I know just the girl to host it – Laura?

In case any of you don’t know what I was wearing and don’t believe I was there I am going to share one or two Blackberry pictures that will have you all reaching for Photoshop.

My faithful Bebaroque tights – a godsend to a goth of a certain age;

The lovely Polly Edwards Black Neroli headpiece;

I managed to walk home over this!

View from our very lovely Malmaison room;

Sassi Holford & I congratulating ourselves on being out on a school night and having the lovely Martin & Marshy buying Champagne;

Emma x