The Wedding Ideas team have been hot-footing it around London discover the latest bridal trends for 2014.
Our first stop was the Bridal Showcase just off the Fulham Road where we caught up with three brilliant British designers Belle and Bunty, Emmy and Maids to Measure. Then it was on to the prestigious White Gallery in Battersea Evolution to see all the brand new catwalk shows, before heading over to the Tower of London where top designer Suzanne Neville was privately showing her latest collection. We rounded off our trip with a visit to the London Bridal Show with some of the most brilliant budget-friendly gowns around from Jasmine, Watters and new name Lillian West…
- Art Deco detailing at Emmy Shoes. The 20s-inspired embellishments help make these shoes the perfect finishing touch for a vintage theme.
- The Great Gatsby-inspired slimline dresses at Belle and Bunty. We loved the beautiful godet skirts and slinky satins.
- Customisable dresses at Maids to Measure. Navy is the big colour trend for 2014 and we love the fact you can switch necklines to suit your bridesmaids’ figures.
- Subtle sparkle overlay is a huge trend going into 2014 with almost all designers and manufacturers featuring it in their collections.
- The ‘Naomi’ gown at British designer Madeline Isaac-James, named after the Wedding Ideas’ Bride of the Year Naomi Thomas. We also loved the Dressing Up Box at Madeline Isaac-James – a treasure trove of belts, bows and brooches given to all stockists so they can help you personalise your gown.
- Eye-catching mother of pearl bridal heels at Freya Rose.
- Colour! The more colourful gowns were popular with buyers this year. We particularly loved the subtle blush underskirt at Naomi Noeh.
- Feathers at Harbridge and Bowen – one of the most striking gowns of the White Gallery featured a low back lined with bouncy feathers!
- New silhouettes at Ian Stuart. The award-winning designer wowed the crowd with his Frill Me! collection for 2014. Trends within this collection included ‘pure and simple’ – clean lines and elegant draping, and ‘natural woodland’ – distressed fabrics and organic-looking trimmings (look out for the dragonfly details on Midsummer Dream!). Of course, the collection wouldn’t be complete without some of Ian’s signature ballgowns and he didn’t disappoint. His biggest gowns were adorned with roses and bows in hues of blush pink, pale lilac and powder blue.
- We even spotted our July issue’s cover dress on the White Gallery catwalk – Charlotte Balbier’s incredible, slinky Boudecia, a dreamy lace and satin gown with an Art Deco feel!
- Suzanne Neville’s Tower of London show was simply breathtaking. We loved her use of thigh-high splits on the red-carpet-style gowns, the water-like satins and the unusually patterned fabrics and laces on the classic A-line styles. All of this teamed with her exceptional corsets made this a must-see collection if you’re marrying in 2014.
- Princess brides, listen up – big skirts are back for 2014! The Watters, Jasmine, Lillian West and Cristiano Lucci collections all heralded a return of the statement skirt with princess-style silhouettes at every turn.
Check back later this week to see the gorgeous designer collections in full…
