SUMMERTIME BRIGHTS

Bright yellow dresses have arrived online and we just love the way they look with our bright purple glitter clutch. The colours work mouth-wateringly well together, be bold and bring a third colour (maybe magenta, candy coral or a polished gold) to the equation in patent heels and hair bow for that all important stand out event this Summer.

Our linen and lace dresses are both one of a kinds in textured Lego block yellow with modern hard angled cuts contrasting with the soft scalloped lace. Strong lined accessories a must.

Black lace Prom Dress

This little black prom dress is now safely and very happily at it's new destination ready to be a showstopper at the prom.  Very kindly the new owner said 'The dress came today and is absolutely perfect, from the fit to the textures its amazing. I am so happy and content with it and would just like to thank you again for the dress.' A very good job done! 

The dress has been in my studio for a couple of weeks since completion and every time I looked at it (along with another lace dress I was working on at the same time) it made me feel the same way I do when I'm in a vintage shop or the fashion museum. A little panicked to buy and very desperate to touch.

The corded lace has lots of texture on a fine tulle background and the skirt is wonderfully full with soft nets underneath. Lined in silk taffeta which rustles slightly and keeps a great shape with a boned bodice and cotton facings.  The vintage 1950s cocktail dress inspiration became completely authentic in the weight, feel and design, all except for the concealed zipper at the back.

I am really in love with this dress!

This seasons prom requests have been the best so far, I have another in the pipeline that is equally gorgeous. Teenagers seriously have the best ideas at the moment and style, they look fantastic and aren't afraid to really indulge in a dress. I think I may have had some especially cool and creative individuals though.

I was told most were buying from the 'occasion wear' shop and sadly we all know the look of a generic prom dress nowadays. Girls there's no need for a  floor length frump of a dress when you can have a cute cocktail dress, unless there's a rule and then think red carpet not Disney princess. There are some gorgeous dresses from the main fashion retailers at the moment, or go for vintage or take a look around Etsy, there are some great designers there (apart from me :) and lots to suit different styles.

I cringe at my own from over ten years ago, a homemade see through lace affair which wasn't quite to my standards of today! What were yours like? or what do you have planned for your prom this year?

Liberty Capel Dress and Nike Trainers

It was great to see Liberty's classic Capel print used in the latest collection from Nike in the form of gorgeous high tops. Coincidentally the first dress from our upcoming Liberty print collection is the sugary pink Capel floral print. We think the high tops and the dress along with a sparkling belt will look pretty darn good if we do say ourselves.

Nike x Liberty Trainers available to buy exclusively from Liberty here. 

Our Liberty collection will be coming up at the end of May if not before. Email for pre-order and enquiries here. 

Running with Scissors Dress

Halter dress with bright scissors print.

We have many pairs of scissors here at the studio and I couldn't resist this 1940's inspired novelty print cotton. Wear for parties this summer with red flats and a panama hat trimmed with a matching grosgrain ribbon. Don't forget a sparkly bag.

Kitty Shoes by Charlotte Olympia 

Panama hat by Sensi Studio

Glitter bag by Alexandra King

Met Ball - My Favourites

My second favourite red carpet event, The 'Punked' Met Ball was held on Monday evening, I just love looking at what all the beautiful people wore. There were some shockers but the Punk theme this year was going to throw up a few problems for the stylists.

Here are my favourite dresses and styles from Monday night ....

The Elegant 

Carey Mulligan in Balenciaga trimmed with the ultimate punk safety pin in gold. The shoes are perfection. Emily Blunt taking part in the Green Carpet Challenge wearing a 1930s style Carolina Herrera bias cut gown in certified vintage wool and silk chiffon. I love those tiny buttons.

The way Leelee Sobieski styled her strapless Dior dress with a t-shirt and those fine embroidered gloves is the perfect balance of punk and slick style. 

The Colourful

The ultimate red leather punk mini dress that looks straight from an 80s album cover. Dress by Anthony Vaccarello. Uma Thurmann channelling her old Green Ivy but in this case winning in a breathtaking Zac Posen gown. Amber Heard, always stunning, this time in a red beaded Chantilly lace Emilio Pucci dress. 

The Prints

Katy Perry in Dolce and Gabbana's beaded icon dress and crown. Jennifer Lopez looking fierce in this Cheetah print by Michael Kors. Monochrome stripes are always a striking print and I adore the geometry of this J.Mendel organza dress worn by Chanel Iman. 

The Classics

Hailee Steinfeld fresh a gleaming as a young star in the prettiest Donna Karen prom dress embellished with safety pins and studs. Pretty Punk. Anna Wintour's daughter Bee Shaffer safe but very prettily dressed in Dior. If Galliano had designed it you bet it would have made more of a statement. 

Heidi Klum need is say more in Marchesa and Harry Winston diamonds.

The Couples

Tom Ford and the beautiful Joan Small in a sexy sheer lace slim cut gown. Obviously one of his designs. Livia Firth and Colin, Again heading up the Green Carpet Challenge in a 20 year old Franco Moschino gown from his ethical collection proving this Eco thing isn't so new era. 

Cara and Sienna, the favourite and the new girl of the Vogue covers both in Burberry make an obscenely gorgeous pair. 

The Little black dress

Felicity Jones in a Proenza Schouler black and gold Laser cut dress with cutaway shoulders and a beautiful cut. Pixie Geldoff in my favourite outfit of the night, her mix of a chic slash necked Moschino cocktail dress with embellished skirt and subtle tattoos works..  And finally Renee Zellweger, in the most divine little black dress by Prada, the long fitted sleeves and the sweeping neckline and sharper than sharp satin courts by Christian Louboutin. 

All images from Vogue.co.uk and photographed by PA and Rex Features

Confetti Print Dress

Fifties Style Printed Summer Dress ...

Bright, Light and oh so pretty in hundreds and thousands confetti print on crisp white cotton. This little dress will party itself through the Summer teamed with our velvet blue bow belt. x

Liberty Poppy Print Bridesmaids Dresses

I'm just about to start work on some new Liberty print summer dresses today and this reminded me of the red poppy print dresses we worked on last year for a wedding in Bristol. This is a slightly different style of print for Liberty away from the tiny ditsy florals and photographs wonderfully with such a vibrant print. We accessorised the dresses with vibrant pleated green silk belts and of course petticoats to make the skirts really full. The girls look brilliant stood beneath that grand statue and with the perfectly matched red and white roses. Just beautiful!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORAG MACDONALD, BRISTOL

Rainbow Stripe Ric Rac Dress

1950s classic tea dresses were the inspiration behind the latest set of tea dresses and this colourful ric rac print has to be my favourite of them all. Sassy stripes never fail to look striking. Add any colours shoes, I think I would go for yellow and away you go to the Summer dance ...

Available made to order in the shop, I'm keeping the original for me!

Charlottesville Bridesmaids Dresses

The initial sketches for Dianna's dresses 

The Tiffany Dress

The Carole Dress

The Kirsten Lace Dress 

The Betty's Big Night asymmetric dress in Ivory Silk

The peppermint Asia Dress 

This time last year I was packing up a collection of beautiful dresses that were to be sent all over the USA to convene at a rather spectacular Southern wedding in Virginia. You can read more about the whole wedding here on I Love Southern Weddings.

Dianna had a brilliant group of bridesmaids all looking for something a little different in the beautiful shades of peppermint, cream and dove grey. Working from quite a distance (as we nearly always do) Dianna called me to discuss the details of all the dress and ended up commissioning some of the dresses I am most excited by. The Yellow Dianna dress was named after her and was worn for her pre wedding dinner. We made a fabulous mother of the bride gown that still makes me smile when I stumble across the photos, this will be coming up soon and a sassy cream lace mini dress for her getaway!

The Tiffany dress was cut with a pleated shoulder V neckline and slightly dropped waist panel smoothing the line to the full skirt. The Carole dress is designed with pure chic in mind with a boat neckline and sheer silk organdie panels at the back. The Kirsten dress was also made in ivory and is a heavy corded lace party dress in he softest dove grey. The Betty's big night had a revamp in cream silk and trimmed with a grosgrain bow for the wedding. Simple and very elegant. And the Asia, cool peppermint green with dramatic floral ruffle corsages on the shoulder making a very pretty summer statement.

I am still awaiting photos of more of the bridal party but for now I am very pleased to share these beautiful photos by Megan W Photography of some of the bridesmaids together with Dianna in that incredible gown by Jill Andrews Gowns.

Crafty Alex

If you've enjoyed all of our DIY sewing posts we have created a blog just for you, all about the sewing side of our business. We professionally sew every day and are going to share all the basics, the fun stuff and bring you some great kits and trims that we make here at the studio. It's a fabulous by-product of our collections being able to share all this info with the creatives among you.

You can also come and have a lesson at Millie Moon in Somerset with Anna, there is a full list of workshops on the site too. 

Just click on the Crafty Alex logo xxx  

Pink Flamingos Dress

Ok, not the John the Waters film and in slightly better taste is our 50's inspired novelty summer dress in bright turquoise blue with a saturated pink leggy flamingos print. Style up with white gloves, barbie white stilettos or pointed flats and a preppy ponytail. Perfect for a Summer event or Vegas.

Alphabet Dress

Introducing the Alphabet Dress - A One of a Kind Dress

The dress started with the print, it's incredible with all those brightly decorative letters, I feel a word search coming on! From the fabulous print designers at Michael Miller.

It's a real nod to all those late 1950s novelty print party dresses worn throughout Summer picnics and parties. Wear with white flats and stacked pearls or mid century plastic bangles around your wrists. Big Jackie O's a must!

Customer Photos - The Eve Dress

Our San Franciscan Dancing Bride

This beautiful wedding photograph landed in my inbox this morning of a stunning bride from last year. Elizabeth ordered the Eve dress online and asked for it to be bespoke made in ivory silk for a gorgeous reception dress. Doesn't she look stunning!

Available in black here, please email for bespoke details.

Photography Copyright Jennifer Skog (www.skogasinvogue.com)   

Summer Cycling Dress

Just imagine cycling around this Summer in our new Summer Bicycles Dress printed all over with yellow bicycles. Well, in reality it's more of a strolling gracefully with your bicycle by your side in a pair of yellow kitten heels with a long chiffon scarf trailing behind you on the beach front. But, the print is fabulous all the same. x

New In - Monochrome Toile De Jouy Tea Dress

Toile De Jouy has been a staple in our print collection since Uni, I really can't get enough of it's romantic opplulence. This latest monochrome etched print is my favourite to date and makes for a head turning tea dress this Summer. Team with black patent Mary Janes, a matching mani and extra bold sunglasses.

Anna Vickery Bridesmaids and Flower Girl Collection 2013

Photography: Aran Jefferies of Latitude Photography

Photography: Aran Jefferies of Latitude Photography

Photography: Aran Jefferies of Latitude Photography

 Anna Vickery Bridesmaids and Flower Girl Collection, Spring/Summer 2013

Contributors:

Photography: Aran Jefferies of Latitude Photography

Accessories: Monsoon Childrens, F&F, Anna Vickery
Styling: Anna Vickery, Emma Jefferies
Models: Isabelle, Elsa, Faye and Elise

It was inspired by: A lovely lady we made a dress for back along telling us about her little dotty tulle flower girl dress from her wedding in the 80’s - The dress was so beautiful she couldn’t part with it, and it has lived in a wardrobe at her house ever since. The dress has been tried on by her girls as they grew up and still gets bought out every now and again just to be admired - it even had a trip over to our studio. I thought how lovely it was to treasure a special heirloom piece in this way, quite sentimental for me, I can’t say I felt the same about my straight peach satin 1980’s bridesmaids frock (sorry!)

The Mood Board Featured: Little girls doing things in dresses - climbing, swinging, playing, running around - although these are to be dresses to be kept they are to have fun in first.

The fabrics used: The softest tulle we can find, tulle is used in lots of our grown up dresses and it’s surprising how many different qualities you can get and how they behave/feel. 100% cotton for linings, silk organza and chiffon and an off cut of fine corded lace - don’t worry we can still get more.

The silhouettes: It’s all about the full twirly skirts with fairly simple bodices. I also really wanted to include a t-shirt style bodice for older girls as we find this is a popular choice for 7 years and over. The girls Cape is also an off-shoot from an Alexandra King adults style.

The colours: On this collection I wanted to keep colours quite neutral, so people could focus on the dress shapes. Having said this I can’t resist a flash of colour in a ribbon belt, but it is great to be able to change these so easily and make feature colours ‘pop’ against the lighter backgrounds - I always get carried away buying ribbon for belts/trims. If anyone is interested we can get most of the fabrics used in lots of different colours too, feel free to get in touch with requests.

Details: Polka dots, both in the tulle and cotton on the Faye dress and ribbon trims on the others (Well who doesn’t like a good polka dot?) Liberty print bias binding on the Elise dress, I couldn’t resist it and it shows how a small amount of print can be used as a detail in this way. Vintage lace trim, it’s always nice to use one off bits and pieces on what after all are pretty unique dresses.

They are made for: Although the dresses are advertised as for bridesmaids and flower girls they will be lovely for any occasion, think party’s and christenings, they will definitely get lots of wear before they are put away to keep.

Influences during the design process: As I was designing and making the collection I had the girls which were to be models on our photo shoot in mind, all children of friends, and couldn’t help but think of things like their hair colour and character. Disaster nearly struck on the day before the shoot when 2 out of 4 of our models were poorly with a sickness bug, but luckily enough a neighbour of the photo shoot venue (a fantastic country homestead with recently renovated kitchen extension owned by a friends parents) came to the rescue and had 2 little girls of the right age - so the Elise dress was to be the Maggie and the Faye was to be the Lila, but never mind there will be other photo shoots and dresses….

Working on the collection, the fun and difficulties: Even working on little dresses the volume of tulle required can be quite overwhelming! I cut it out in my old home studio (aka spare room) on the floor and struggled to cut it straight, how I love my new cutting table and wish I had it sooner. The shoot was the weekend after I moved house and the way the images turned out so fresh and clean looking seems like a reflection of this, to me anyway. It was a fun morning seeing the dresses look gorgeous on the models and was great to see how comfortable they were in them.

My favourite piece: It’s too hard to pick, I’m really pleased with them all - I love the way the organza skirt on the Elise stands away from the under layer and is so sheer and light and the fullness of the plain tulle on the Elsa, I think this would work well in virtually any colour. I also enjoyed being able to make matching accessories for the dresses as finding matching things can sometimes be tricky and I like to be able to offer this option as part of a handmade package.

The Collection is Available: The collection is available online through the Alexandra King website and Etsy. I also undertake custom orders please contact anna@alexandra-king.com. Every dress is designed and manufactured in Somerset, UK.