Skip to content

Posts tagged ‘fashion’

May 25

2 Comments

Q&A with Elbeth Gillis

I’m super excited about today’s Q&A, as it features a designer I have admired for a long time, Elbeth Gillis. You’ve seen many of her dresses on real brides here on SBB, and every time I do I’m struck by how beautiful they look. Elbeth also has a reputation for being amazing to work with, which really makes the whole process of creating your dress such a special experience. I’m thrilled to be working on a little something behind the scenes with Elbeth too – watch this space! For now, let’s meet the lovely lady, and find out a bit more about what drives and inspires her. (All images are from Elbeth’s 2012 collection.)

Hi Elbeth – thanks so much for taking the time to chat to me! I’m a big fan of your gorgeous dresses – how would you describe your latest collection?
Very romantic and feminine with a vintage feel.

How did you get started in the business?
I studied Fashion Design at CPUT and then worked as a designer for some of the big chain stores before starting my own business designing what I love most, wedding gowns.

Do you have a design philosophy?
Less is more and always use the best quality fabrics and trims available.

Where do you find inspiration?
I look at trends from the Haute Couture collections. Beautiful fabrics always inspire me and sometimes the smallest things like a new sleeve detail or beaded flower can lead me to create a new design for a gown.

What’s a typical day in the studio like?
I usually start the morning by checking on the gowns that my staff are busy with, seeing how far they are and if things are being done the way I envisioned. Then I check the dresses that brides will be fitting that day. I usually have a few fittings and consultations with new clients every day. I will also check that we have all the fabrics and trims we need for the gowns we are working on and either my assistant or I will pace orders or run around to source the fabrics. I will also respond to queries and do quotes on email and update our facebook and twitter accounts. Read more

Nov 2

6 Comments

The Latest from London

As you all know, Wednesday is trend roundup today, so there’s no better time for me to let you in on some of what I’ve been up to in the last couple of weeks and share some of what the British wedding industry has been showcasing. First up, the Sunday before last, was the Luxury Wedding Show, which I heard about from Louise over at Bijoux Bride (also my show buddy for the day). At £50 a pop, and with a location at the Saatchi Gallery on Sloane Square, I wasn’t sure if this would be too Made in Chelsea for most. And besides, I loathe trade shows. But I have to tell you, this was such a lovely day out, and I’d totally recommend it for brides based in London and the UK. The gallery made it personal and fun to walk around, and the service providers were top notch. True, not all couples would be able to afford everything that was on offer, but it was full of inspiration and ideas, and it felt fresh and exciting. Kind of like paging through a copy of Vogue, for me. Plus, they had one of the best goodie bags I’ve come across, which is always a winner! I’ll be introducing you to some of the suppliers I met soon, but for today, I thought I’d focus on the highlight of the day… the catwalk show!

I’ll be honest, I’ve never been as into wedding dresses as I am the rest of the big day (maybe because I’ve never shopped for one for myself). So they can get a little overlooked on this blog. But I am slowly coming around, and I saw some absolutely beautiful dresses that afternoon. The show itself was so professional and well-produced, and I felt like Anna Wintour sitting in the front row with my glass of champagne! Here are some of my favourites that came down the catwalk.


L-R: Suzie Turner @ Editorial Scene; Temperley London; Peter Langner @ Browns Bride Read more

Jul 18

4 Comments

Jersey Girls {Part 2}

I promised a follow up to my post on bridesmaids in cardigans, and here it is! And after all, why should your girls get to have all the pretty? There are so many reasons why this works for brides as well. First, if you’re having a religious ceremony and want to cover your shoulders, they’re a sweet and more laid back alternative to sleeves or a bolero. Or, if you’re getting married at a time of year where the weather isn’t going to be brilliant, wearing a cardie will be your saving grace through a long couple shoot (nothing worse than trying to look hot and relaxed when all you can think about his how chillsome you’re feeling!). Or your cardie could be a late night addition – perfect for wearing as your guests see you off into the cold evening air. Plus, cardigans are a great style choice for an autumn or winter wedding – they add a pop of colour to your white dress and work in anything from soft, neutral colours to statement brights. Have a look at these lovelies, worn by real brides around the web…

Read more

May 4

7 Comments

Real Wedding at Le Bac {Yolandi & Ludwig}

Okay, confession time. Before I started this blog, when I used to flip through a wedding magazine I have to admit I used to feel totally irritated by how many dress advertisements and features there were. Because to me, it was probably the least interesting aspect of the day. Yes, I know, but it’s true. I was definitely not one of those little girls who grew up imagining my dream dress. Now that I have seen so many unbelievably gorgeous dresses, that’s changed, and there are some brides who literally take my breath away (hello, Kate Middleton!). Today’s is one of them – I am completely and totally in LOVE with her styling. That bracelet! That wrap! That dress! Crazy beautiful. And not just that, but Mitch Wong Ho (who I have been wanting to feature here forever!) turned a photo shoot with her and her handsome groom at the Taal Monument in Paarl from drab to fab – I adore the architectural shots he got (totally appropriate since the bride is an architect) of a spot that is normally not exactly up there on my list of inspiring locations (sorry, I know lots of you love it, but I am not a big fan of monument shots in general. Usually!) Le Bac was the venue for their stunning reception – all in all the perfect wedding for me to feature in our week of celebration! Read more

Mar 30

10 Comments

Flowers in her Hair

So a couple of weeks ago I featured a roundup of beautiful birdcage veils, but if your style is more bohemian than retro, I have a bridal accessory trend that’s just for you. Brides with flowers in their hair are nothing new (although they’ve gained a lot of popularity as an alternative to veils in the last couple of years), but recently I have been seeing a bloom of brides wearing full-on floral crowns. And you guys, I LOVE them! Once the preserve of ’80s flowergirls, the new wave of flower wreaths are soft and sweet but with a bold, high fashion edge. They’re not subtle, but boy are they beautiful. Check out these lovelies…

Read more

Mar 23

9 Comments

And the Bride Wore Wellies…


Sources (clockwise from top left): 1:Meg Perotti via Elizabeth Anne Designs, 2: Heather Forsythe via Southern Weddings, 3: Christian Keenan via Rock My Wedding, 4: via Erin Ever After, 5: Kevin & Kirsty/Lauren Kriedemann

With Hunter Boots finally hitting South Africa, it seems like the perfect time to do a roundup of one of my favourite bridal accessories. Sure, we love a hot pair of heels. But nothing is cuter (or more practical) for wet weather than for a bride (and bridesmaids!) to have a pair of wellies to change into while traipsing around the bushes for the couple shoot. You won’t see them under your dress for most shots, but make sure you get a couple where you do because as you can see, they are ah-frikkin-dorable! Read more

Mar 9

9 Comments

How to Wear a Birdcage Veil

It only takes a brief glance at my webstats to know that you all are still LOVING the birdcage veil. Can’t get enough of ‘em. Back in May last year I featured a roundup on these lovelies, and I thought it was high time I went back to them for another look. But this time, I thought I would focus on how to actually wear (let alone rock!) these babies.

Read more

May 6

4 Comments

Birdcage veils

The first time I remember noticing birdcage veils was when Reese Witherspoon wore one in her stylish turn as a bride on Sweet Home Alabama, but this stunning style statement has been all over the place recently. It’s super pretty (especially when teamed with an ornate vintage hairclip) but has a bit of extra sass and tons of Hollywood glamour. It also makes for wonderful bridal closeups, so your photographer will love you! The veil can be a variety of lengths depending on your look, and can be added to clips, hairbands, fascinators or just left plain, depending on your wedding style.

Some of my favourites from around the web include:

Read more