Hot Style 2012 Part 1: Bridal Looks

Every year we sit and make predictions about what will be our top selling dress styles. Then we sit back and wait to see what happens in the New Year. Sometimes we are surprised, and sometimes we feel we’ve got it spot-on.

This January, I am struck by the fact that brides are more often than not looking for something a bit different. They still want to look like a bride. But they don’t want the same as everyone else, and the dresses they are choosing often have something unique about them.

Take the Ellis 11127 (left). We’ve never seen anything quite like it from any other designer. The back of this dress is breathtaking, and whilst it still has a traditional, bridal look, the lace train really adds something different.

Then there’s the Ella 5497 (right). The optional shoulder covering on this dress is proving a real hit as brides look for an alternative to what seemed to be the endlessly popular strapless gown.


Benjamin Roberts 2251 (below) has the lace and vintage styling that are so much en vogue right now, but the dark beaded embellishment and splash of subtle colour are going down a storm – not once have we been asked ‘does it come in all-ivory?’

Of course, how you accessorise your dress will also give it your own personal touch. One of our favourite look-changing accessories at the moment is a full length beaded lace-edged veil. It’s incredible, and can turn a lovely gown into a goose-bump inducing, jaw-dropping bridal look! The right accessory can totally make the outfit.

I haven’t even touched upon the customised option yet. Take a plainer bridal gown, and use a bit of imagination and creativity… a brooch, a jacket, add straps, or a one shoulder covering, maybe a belt… and you have a look that is entirely your own.

 We are loving helping brides to create a look that’s really unique. But ultimately our advice never changes: stay true to yourself and find a gown and a look that you feel really comfortable in. If you feel great on the day, then you will look great.

Get Clued Up

Buying your wedding dress is super-exciting. But don’t get so caught up in it that you forget to pay attention to the boring (but extremely important) details of your purchase!

We always spend time with each bride as they finalise their order, going through the terms and conditions of purchase with them, when they will need to make payments, how sizing works, what happens with alterations, collecting their dress, and making sure they understand their responsibilities and obligations throughout the process. So it’s quite surprising how often we find that customers seem unaware of some of these details a little further down the line!

Of course we understand that going through these dull details, about things that aren’t relevant right this minute, or perhaps won’t be relevant for several months, is particularly difficult when all you want to do is celebrate the fact that you’ve picked the dress you’re going to get married in. But remember that it’s important that you understand what you’re signing when you put your name on the dotted line. And that you know where to refer back to these details when the time comes.

Everyone (including us) wants to make sure the process goes smoothly and as free from stress as possible.

Getting clued up on the matter-of-fact stuff is something we all tend to do if we buy white goods, a car or a holiday. Really, buying a wedding dress is no different.

Here’s our advice for staying perfectly business-like:

• Take a deep breath and be patient when you’re going through the terms and conditions, and if you have any questions at the time, don’t be afraid to ask them! It can take a few minutes but it’s important to know what you’re signing.

• Make sure you have a copy of the terms and conditions to refer back to, and keep it somewhere safe – it might help answer any questions you have later on (and we don’t expect you to remember everything off the top of your head!)

• Don’t be afraid to come back and ask questions if you need to. Again, we know there is a lot of information to retain, and you won’t necessarily think of everything at the time when you order.

• Make sure you know the basics such as when any payments are due, how the alterations process works, and how soon you will need to come in to collect your dress. Remember that every shop is different with these, so don’t make assumptions based on someone else’s bridal experience!

• Check what responsibilities you have – for example the shop may ask you to come in within a certain time frame to try on your dress after it arrives - this will be for a good reason (such as checking that it is all as it should be with plenty of time still to spare!). If you don’t stick to your side of the bargain then you could end up putting yourself at a disadvantage.

The more informed you are, the less stressed you need to be! Simple as that. Happy planning!

You have just entered...The Accessory Zone

We are so excited we might just burst. Over the festive season we have been hard at work in the shop, creating our Accessory Zone, a dedicated area, a Boutique within a Boutique, all for our lovely range of bridal accessories. We couldn’t be happier with it. It’s beautiful (even though we do say so ourselves), and shows off the collection perfectly.

Jackets, veils, tiaras, headbands, necklaces, earrings, bracelets… you can find it all here, and you get to enjoy a coffee whilst you do. It has never been easier to create a coherent look for your wedding day.
Whether brides bought their dress from Aliya Rose or from somewhere else, it doesn’t matter – we can help to choose the right accessories to create the look. From traditional to height of fashion, we have a fantastic selection of pieces, each one hand picked to compliment the current fashions in bridalwear.

Not only that, but we have an entirely new, exclusive collection of pieces on its way to us from Starstruck Designs. Stay tuned for more information on these… you won’t be disappointed!

You can drop in to the Accessory Zone any time during our opening hours (Tues 11am-4pm, Wed – Fri 11am-5pm and Sat 9am-5pm), and if you’d like to ensure a member of staff to help you, call us to arrange a time on 01334 655303 and we’ll do our best to accommodate!

We’ll keep you posted on any accessory news!

2012 is nearly upon us.....

...and where has 2011 gone?!! As we go into what is traditionally our quietest time of year, with brides taking a break from planning their weddings to plan Christmas instead, we have a chance to take stock, and prepare for the busy year that’s coming up around the corner. So let’s look at some of the trends we’ve seen this year, and what our predictions are for 2012.

2011 has been a year in which….
• Lace has been creeping up in popularity, with bridal gowns featuring a little lace appliqué being the most popular
• Purple has been a big trend for bridesmaid dresses this year, along with blue, and bright/hot pinks have made a comeback. But ivory and neutral palettes have been really popular too.
• The asymmetric headband is the absolute must-have accessory
• Despite a general feeling from lots of designers that we retailers would be inundated with girls asking for a dress just like Kate Middleton’s, we didn’t believe the hype. We loved her dress but we didn’t buy one of the many copies on offer, and guess what? We haven’t had a single girl tell us she wants a dress just like Kate’s. Proof that Aliya Rose knows its market? Well I like to think so.
• Traditional busy seasons in bridal retail have gone out the window, but for us this has meant being steadily busy throughout the year instead of having bedlam for a couple of months followed by a period of tumbleweed blowing through the shop. We and our customers are happier for it!
• A sense of calm has been restored after the unprecedented number of last minute orders we saw in 2010. It was a nationwide trend (kicked off, we think, by the recession) which saw many designers having to suspend their rush service as they were so heavily laden with short timescale orders. We are now, thankfully, back to the vast majority of orders being placed well in advance of the wedding date!

And here’s what we think will happen in 2012…
• Lace is going to get even more popular, with lots of delicate full lace bridal gowns in many different shapes
• The fishtail silhouette is going to be huge, with superb figure hugging designs, and if you don’t think you have the figure, you might be pleasantly surprised – some of these gowns have incredible corsetry and it’s simply about finding one that gives you all the right proportions
• If lace isn’t for you, then you might want to look at the other end of the scale, with a really clean, simple look, and a statement embellishment. Or go down the route of the dress you can customise to REALLY make it your own. We have lots of ideas of how to change your dress to make it unique.
• For bridesmaids, chiffon is definitely going to be big. Colour-wise, we are expecting some requests for some ultra-hot tropical colours: watermelon, yellow, hot pink… along with some beautiful new purples and blues
• Statement accessories are on their way. The asymmetric vintage style headband is here to stay, but it’s being joined by super-full or super-long veils, chandelier earrings, and chunky cuff bracelets. Don’t wear them all at once though, or you’ll look like an overdressed Christmas tree. Be sure to visit our new Accessories Zone which is due to open in the New Year… stay tuned for more info!

Being a Good Bridesmaid. And Being a Greater Friend.

I’ve done quite a lot of bridesmaids appointments recently. And I’ve been struck. With thoughts of how difficult it is, as a bride and as a bridesmaid, to strike up a good balance when it comes to pleasing everyone. One of the hardest things can be to find a dress that suits all your bridesmaids.

You know how it is – you have three bridesmaids, and they’re all different shapes and sizes. You’re wondering how on earth you’ll find something that they are all happy with. Or you are wondering how on earth you’ll persuade them to wear that particular colour that you love but at least one of them hates…..

You have a few options.

1) You decide what they are wearing. You give them no choice over style or colour, and if they don’t like it, tough. This has the advantage that you don’t have endless trips to endless shops, followed by endless negotiating. However, it has the distinct disadvantage that you may fall out with your bridesmaids, and they may look uncomfortable and unhappy in your wedding photos. Not a great combo.

2) You give them Carte Blanche. Let them choose the style and colour for themselves, and you’ll just go with whatever it is. This might seem like the least bridezilla and most lovely thing for a friend to do. And if you only have one bridesmaid, and you really REALLY don’t mind what she wears, then it’s perfect, and an absolutely lovely thing to do. Your bridesmaid will feel completely comfortable in what she has picked. However, unless your bridesmaids are carbon copies of one another, both size, shape, and taste-wise, you will more than likely run into trouble, possibly treading on eggshells as you carefully negotiate your way through the diplomatic dress crisis.

3) (and this is my favourite) You set fairly strict guidelines. Narrow down the options first, before you involve them. Decide on colour (or at least a possible palette of colour), and certain criteria (e.g. full length, floaty/chiffon, same dress or different dresses etc), and work within those guidelines. Explain these guidelines to your bridesmaids before they even start trying on dresses. Don’t go to too many shops. And then, relax and let the bridesmaids work themselves within these criteria.

Remember that you want the girls to be happy on the day, so they don’t look miserable and uncomfortable in your wedding photos. They are your friends or special to you in some way. And look for the happy medium.

There is always a process of negotiation. But there has to be give on both sides. A Good Bridesmaid will make sure that she always remembers that this is about the bride’s choice and it’s her wedding, and will always try to avoid having foot-stamping, toys-out-the-pram moments. She will also remember the other bridesmaids too, and not make it all about her. But a bride who is a Great Friend will make sure her spider-sense is well sharpened up to whether her bridesmaids are feeling horribly uncomfortable in a particular dress, and be prepared to go with a back up dress instead.

I have been privileged to see moments of real friendship in my shop, where it is clear that the exact positioning of a bow or a pleat, or the shade of colour in question, is far less important than a strong and very real bond of friendship between two people. And it warms the heart.

Is it 'The One'?

When it comes to wedding dresses, every married woman tells you that ‘you’ll just know when you try on The One'.

But is this REALLY true? I’m not so sure it is. At least, not in the way that people expect.

I’ve seen literally hundreds of bridal appointments. And for me, the idea of the thunderbolt moment, where the bride cries when she looks in the mirror, and her mum dabs at her face as a solitary tear rolls down it, is a bit of a myth. That’s not to say it never happens. We’ve had tears in the shop from time to time. But out of the hundreds of bridal appointments I could probably count the times we’ve had thunderbolts on my fingers.

The thing is, it’s confusing for brides. So many girls expect to put on the perfect dress and hear angels singing as a sign that it’s ‘The One’, and when that doesn’t happen, even though they are in a dress they really love, they doubt that they’ve really found the right dress. Then a long and exhausting quest for The Thunderbolt begins, the quest for something that’s more perfect than perfect, involving a visit to every bridal shop in the country, endless internet trawling, and eventually a trip back to try on the original one she liked, which she’s been comparing everything else to, only to find that is perfect after all.

All too often, we have brides come back to us after months of trawling round shops trying on dress after dress, having confused themselves with too many dresses, too many styles, and feeling frustrated about still not having had The Thunderbolt. They have become tired of dress shopping and disheartened with the whole experience. Which is not how it should be. The relief once the dress is finally chosen and ordered is tangible.

So what do people mean when they talk about their dress being ‘The One’ and just knowing it was right?

It’s very easy with hindsight to look back and see how you knew it was ‘The One’ all along. Because you have the experience of going back, trying it on again, feeling just right, and comfortable in it, and knowing that you like that dress more than any other you’ve tried. But you possibly didn’t have that feeling of knowing, that confidence, the first time.

Finding the perfect dress is maybe a bit like finding the perfect partner… you may be struck with something at first sight, but it’s only later that you know it was really love.

More Bang for your Buck - hitting the sample sales

So you’re searching for the perfect wedding gown. And whilst price may be no object to a small select few brides, the vast majority want something that they can feel is good value.

So if the idea of buying a a £1000 dress at, say £199, just because it’s an ex-sample, has your ears pricking up, then read on, this article is for you!

Most bridal shops will have some ex-sample dresses at reduced prices throughout the year. And at certain times of year, there will be more of these dresses than normal. Autumn is always a great time at Aliya Rose for anyone looking for a bargain - we have to make room for next year’s collection, so you’ll usually find a larger than normal number of gowns on the sale rail, and they’re usually priced to GO! Currently we have about 25 gowns on the sale rail, starting at a miniscule £99....

A lot of brides on a budget are afraid to set foot in a bridal shop for fear of being forced into dresses they can’t afford. But it’s always worth a look before you reach for the internet – you might be pleasantly surprised at what you can pick up.

Here are the questions you should be asking yourself or the shop if you're looking at ex-sample dresses…

Should I phone the shop ahead of time?
Always worth it. If nothing else, it will mean that you can make sure there's a changing room free for you to try things on - you can never really tell what something will look like until it's on you!

What condition will the dress be in?

Now, don’t get me wrong, ex-sample dresses are not going to be in perfect condition. You can expect some dirt and make up, and maybe a few missing beads here and there. Some samples have been well-loved! But usually any damage is minimal and can either be repaired or concealed by the dressmaker or put right with a professional clean. The price should reflect any defects (and normally it will MORE than make up for them!!). Make sure you have a really good look over the dress before you commit yourself, as you’re very unlikely to be able to return it if you change your mind.

Should I get one that’s not quite the right size?

If it’s a little too big (say up to 2 inches), then that shouldn’t be a problem for a good dressmaker to take in. Most brides will need some alterations, even if they’ve ordered a new dress, sometimes by that much anyway. If it’s bigger than that, then ask for advice before you go for it! If it’s too small, then think very carefully – if it can be let out, then it won’t be by a lot, and if you’re planning on slimming into it, you’ll want to be very confident that you’ll be able to fit into the dress.

Will the dress need cleaning?

Firstly ask the shop if they’ve had it cleaned recently. If they have, it may not need it. Some of ours have been cleaned very recently. Then, it’s really up to you. If it looks grubby, you might want to have it cleaned. Go with a specialist wedding dress cleaner rather than a local dry cleaner. Specialists who deal only with wedding gowns will use processes that are specially suited to delicate fabrics and beading. And you’ll probably find them very competitively priced compared to local cleaners too.

What about alterations?

One of the advantages of buying an ex-sample dress from a store, rather than buying online or second hand to save money, is that the shop will already have a system in place to deal with alterations. This can save a huge amount of hassle trying to find a suitable dressmaker! Why buy ex-sample when I can buy new on ebay for the same or even less? A lot of internet sellers aren't all that honest, and they'll use original designer's photos to sell their cheap copies. The thing is, it's not just about what a dress looks like on the outside - true beauty comes from within, even in a wedding gown, and a lot of what gives genuine designer dresses the ‘wow’ factor is the internal structure and corsetry that they have. Very cheaply manufactured dresses won’t have this sort of structure; they won’t pull you in the same way to give you an hourglass figure; they often won’t have underskirts in them at all, so you’ll need to buy extra underskirts to give the skirt any structure; the bodices will often collapse under the bust. Buying a genuine designer gown in a sample sale represents true value for money – you’re still getting the fabulous internal structure and great quality fabrics, and you actually get to see the dress on before you make a decision. I'm not saying never buy online - that's up to you, not to me! But it really is well worth a look at the sample sales before you make that decision.

So how can shops afford to sell dresses off at these prices? Really? I mean come on..... are brides just being ripped off the rest of the time?

Well, believe it or not, we make no money AT ALL on such low prices. We pay full price for our sample dresses, so to sell a dress off at £99 or £199 that has a retail price of over £1000 means we are actually selling them at a considerable loss. But at certain times of year, when designers are discontinuing some of their gowns, and the arrival of a new collection is imminent, the rail space is more valuable to us than getting a really good price for a sample dress! Which means that you get the chance to buy dresses at less than what the shop paid for them. Bargain? Hell yeah!