Debbie's Diary

Debbie Carlisle and Freya Rose shoes - a collaboration

Georgina cuff and Florence headpiece by Debbie Carlisle

It may not surprise you to know that I’m something of a magpie – an attribute shared by bridal shoe designer Freya Rose. So it was perhaps no surprise that when we both exhibited at the Designer Wedding Show we were drawn to each other’s sparkling stands!

While I sneaked off from my stand when I had a spare minute to eye up the elegant shoe candy on her stand, Freya was doing the same at my shimmering stand! One of my cuffs, a high drama design called Georgina particularly caught her eye for the way it combined bridal elegance with rock star glamour.

 

Audrey shoe in ivory by Freya Rose

Freya loved the cuff so much that within 10 minutes, she was back at her stand and minutes later had come up with a design for a new shoe to match Georgina. The result was the elegant art deco style Audrey shoe which she created using her Rhian T-bar shoe. Audrey is available in ivory or black duchess and in gold metallic leather, blending impeccable style with sophistication and comfort. 

Audrey has become a popular choice for brides as it complements most bridal styles due to its contemporary, vintage, fashion forward design. Named after the iconic Audrey Hepburn, this T-Bar is a practical and chic alternative for someone requiring shoe straps. Audrey retails at £375.

Georgina cuff, Ava feather headpiece and teardrop shower bouquet by Debbie Carlisle

Freya said: “We are delighted with our collaboration with Debbie, when you bring designers together you get a burst of something really special.  Debbie has some beautifully ornate and unusual designs - fingers crossed for some more collaborative work for the future.”

Georgina cuff and Olivia headpiece by Debbie Carlisle

I was already a fan of Freya’s designs when we met and am so happy that she wanted to create a shoe to complement my Georgina cuff. Check out Audrey and Freya’s other designs at www.freyarose.co.uk. The Georgina cuff is available to buy direct from my website – and is a made to measure piece so you can be sure your cuff fits perfectly.

 

A Little Help From Your Friends…

Photography by Lance Burkitt www.lanceburkitt.com

It’s amazing how doing someone a favour can actually do YOU a favour - like agreeing to take part in a photo shoot which ends up with you receiving fabulous pictures!

I’ve been lucky enough that it’s happened a fair few times - a perfect example of this is when a stationery designer who I’d never met asked me two years ago if I would donate some pieces to a shoot she was doing in return for the use of the photographs in my own promotional material.

I said ‘yes’ and ended up with a new best friend in the stationery designer - Lucy Ledger - and some utterly amazing images taken by the then up-and-coming photographer (now one of THE best and best-known photographers on the wedding circuit) genius Emma Case.

Her picture of my shower teardrop bouquet is so stunning and I’m super-proud to have it as the home page of my website.

Photo by Emma Case www.emmacasephotography.com

Another more recent example is the time a make-up artist friend, Zoe-Leanne Peplow, asked if I’d help her with a project for her college studies.

For the purposes of the project I was her client and she would be creating an ad campaign style photo shoot to showcase my bouquets and accessories.

Hair and make-up by Zoe-Leanne Peplow for my 2012 Accessories collection shoot. Photo by India Hobson www.indiahobsonweddings.co.uk

We had worked together before – Zoe did the hair and make-up for my 2012 accessories collection shoot and was also responsible for the make-up in a gorgeous shoot which featured my bridesmaids accessories collection – so I knew the results would be good.

Make-up by Zoe-Leanne Peplow, hair by Wigs and Warpaint, photo by India Hobson, Giselle Bridesmaid headpiece by Debbie Carlisle

Then Zoe got photographer Lance Burkitt on board to do the pictures and a fabulously diverse group of models lined up to showcase my pieces and I got really excited – and with good cause! Here are the results below – I hope you like!

Samar wears Clara beaded floral headpiece and cuff, dress - stylist’s own

Evita feather headpiece with pearl and bugle bead detail

Vivien headpiece, Georgina cuff and Ivory Teardrop Shower Bouquet

Nicki wears Vivien (left) and Natalia diamante hair combs teamed with Rainbow Pastels Teardrop Bouquet, dress Jenny Packham Cascade, via The White Room bridal boutique

Ava vintage jewellery hand-beaded feather headpiece, Georgina cuff and Ivory Teardrop Shower Bouquet

Darcy wears Daisy headpiece and cuff and carries Ivory Teardrop Shower Bouquet, gown Oui 3 by Cymbeline, via The White Room

Brigitte headpiece and cuff

Yaasmin wears two Olivia headpieces and carries Ivory Teardrop Shower Bouquet

 

Nicole wears Florence headpiece and Mae headband - worn as a sash - with Bardot gown by Stephanie Allin

Mae headband, sash and cuff

Credits:

Photography: Lance Burkitt www.lanceburkitt.com

Hair and Make-up: Zoe-Leanne Peplow www.facebook.com/zoeleannepeplowmua

Dresses: The White Room bridal boutique www.whiteroombridal.co.uk/

Models:  Nicki Donohoe , Darcy Jaq, Samar Khoury, Nicole Pogmore, Yaasmin

Bouquets and accessories: Debbie Carlisle www.dcbouquets.co.uk

New year, new collection

Today I can finally reveal my newest collection - accessories designed especially for bridesmaids!

When it comes to bridal accessories most designers tend to focus on pieces for brides (me included) which means bridesmaids often ‘end up’ with accessories that are either originally designed for brides - or with high street accessories that any wedding guest could pick up.

I thought it was about time that style-conscious best girls got a taste of bespoke bridal design for themselves with pieces created especially for them which can double as a special wedding day gift as well as a stylish piece to accessorise their on-the-day look.

I decided to create a series of pieces that were glamorous enough to make a bridesmaid feel truly special, yet delicate enough to work with my more ethereal bridal headpieces – and of course to avoid stealing the show from the bride! I wanted to create something that was rock and roll rather than twee and traditional so brides and their maids could embrace fashion-forward style on their way down the aisle.

The collection fuses vintage-inspired glamour with a modern edge and is designed to be as versatile as possible. It includes pieces which can be worn as headbands, forehead bands, combs, dress clips, brooches or wrist corsages.

Prices range from £25 to £100 and styles range from small simple bows to seriously glamorous forehead bands.

The range mixes traditional bridal materials like diamante jewels and organza ribbons with the more unusual textures of soft leather and delicate sculpted silver-plated wire which is crafted into a delicate fabric to create a soft but edgy collection.

The headpieces have been designed to complement a new capsule collection of bridesmaid gowns designed by Kate Harrod for The White Room bridal boutique. Kate - winner of the Bridal Buyer 2011 Student Designer of the Year – has designed a series of gowns made of delicate tulle, chiffon and silk which can be teamed with matching fabric or leather sashes.

I loved Kate’s approach of mixing traditional bridal materials with more unusual textures not usually seen in bridal design and I really wanted to reflect that in my accessories. I was also inspired massively by the heritage of my home city of Sheffield which is famous for its steel manufacturing and metalwork design. Of course I work with silver-plated metal wire a lot when creating my bouquets so it was a natural progression to introduce this material into my accessory designs.

So, without further ado, let me introduce you to the new pieces!

Coco

First up is Coco - a fine silver-plated sculpted metal mesh bow headpiece with a sparkling diamante centre that adds a delicate and fun look to any outfit which is striking without being overwhelming. This light pretty bow acts like fabric and can be placed on a comb for ultimate style versatility or a headband depending on your maid’s preference. This piece can also be made in a smaller size for a more subtle look, or for younger bridesmaids. Coco is worn here with the Marilyn gown from the White Room Maid by Kate Harrod collection. Small Coco (measuring approximately 8cm wide) £25, large (pictured, 14cm wide) £35. Small Coco is also available as a pair of shoe clips, £50.

Giselle 

Next is Giselle -  a  gossamer-light silver corsage with a diamante centrepiece which looks as light as chiffon – yet it is crafted from silver-plated wire knitted into a fine fabric and sculpted into the shape of a delicate corsage. This ethereal piece can be placed on a ribbon, comb, headband or clip and worn as a hair accessory, wrist corsage or pinned or clipped to a gown. It can also be made in a variety of colours on request. Giselle is pictured above as a forehead band with the Evangeline one-shoulder gown from the White Room Maid by Kate Harrod collection. It is also pictured below worn as a dress clip to fasten the adjustable shoulder of the Evangeline gown. £45.

Lana

Now we turn to Lana, a very special diamante chain headpiece designed to suit both brides and bridesmaids. It can be worn by bridesmaids attending a bride who has chosen my  more flamboyant Florence headpiece (click here to see) for their wedding day – or by brides who would like to wear a more delicate version of Florence.  Lana can be worn as a forehead chain or a headband and is a very elegant style perfect for brides or bridesmaids wearing full-length gowns. Lana is worn above teamed with the Gwen gown from the White Room Maid by Kate Harrod collection. £100

Bella 

Bella is a diamante flower headpiece with heart-shaped petals that work perfectly with gowns with a sweetheart neckline. It is pictured here on a thin black leather thong which allows the piece to be worn as a headband or forehead band. It can also be placed on an organza ribbon, satin-wrapped metal headband, comb or a clip. Worn on a leather thong Bella is the perfect complement to the White Room Maid by Kate Harrod collection when worn with their trademark leather sash. £60

Minette 

 And finally we come to Minette which combines a moulded soft leather bow with a sparkling diamante centrepiece to create an unusual headband for bridesmaids. This can be created in a colour to complement your maid’s outfit or shoes and is worn here with the Lottie gown from the White Room Maid by Kate Harrod collection which can be teamed with a matching leather sash. £60

 

The collection can be mixed and matched across the White Room Maids gowns range and is also designed to work seamlessly with my entire range of vintage and vintage-inspired bridal headpieces so brides can coordinate their look with their maids.

The beautiful photo shoot images here were taken by India Hobson at Sheffield’s historic Lyceum theatre. India is a fabulous fashion and wedding photographer ‘with a weakness for a love story’ - check out her website here. 

 

The collection, alongside my 2012 bridal accessories range, is available to buy now, click here to visit my online boutique. For more information about the White Room Maid by Kate Harrod gown collection click here. 

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How to channel Lauren Bush’s modern vintage look with an elegant forehead band

Lauren Bush, niece of former US president George Bush, showed how to combine vintage style with a modern edge when she teamed a fashion forward forehead band with a long soft romantic veil and intricately-beaded vintage lace gown for her wedding to fashion king Ralph Lauren’s son David.

Photos released by Vogue magazine show a relaxed ‘down home’ American wedding which included cowboy boots (even for the bride) but which also retained a real sense of elegance, ethereal beauty and vintage style. It might not have been exactly what was expected for the marriage of political royalty with fashion royalty - but that’s exactly the point, the couple did what was right for them instead of bowing to tradition to the point that it excluded their own personalities.

Lauren and David channel relaxed elegance

Lauren’s choice of a forehead band represents a growing wish among brides to choose fashion-forward accessories rather than going down the traditional - and more obvious - tiara route. 

Lauren chose a crystal forehead band design which effortlessly mixes high glamour with a more relaxed bohemian feel. I love the way she’s teamed her headpiece with such a long delicate veil – it gives her romantic look a soft, vintage and traditional feel but with a modern twist. Lauren’s forehead band is perfect for her modern vintage look as it hints subtly at the horizontal tiara shape but gives her look a much more fashionable edge.

Lauren’s ‘down home’ relaxed style is so pretty and ethereal

Brides can achieve a similar look by teaming a simple sheer veil with a diamante forehead chain like my Florence design or, for a more relaxed, ethereal look, try the delicate Daisy floral embroidered forehead band with or without a veil.

Daisy forehead band - available in warm ivory or crisp white

I created five forehead bands for my 2012 accessories collection – launched exclusively at the Designer Wedding Show in October and available to buy online at www.dcbouquets.co.uk - after seeing how brides were embracing a softer, more romantic bohemian style for their weddings.

Florence forehead chain

The new forehead pieces range from decadent diamante pieces like the Florence forehead chain to soft embroidered fabric designs like the delicate Daisy band which features the tiniest dusting of beads – a mix of designs that allow brides to be as relaxed or as glamorous as they like on their wedding day.

Florence doubles as a headband (teamed with my Georgina cuff)

All of my forehead bands are designed to be worn as headbands, and many of them double as elegant bun wraps – giving brides the opportunity to create more than one on-the-day look with a single headpiece.

Clara forehead band doubles as a headband and bun wrap

Click here to see the full 2012 collection or visit www.dcbouquets.co.uk to browse my entire boutique of headpieces, cuffs, buttonholes and of course my luxurious vintage jewellery bouquets.

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The 2012 accessories collection unveiled

After months of designing and planning, a lot of website re-jigging, one stunning photo shoot and an exclusive launch at the Designer Wedding Show - I can finally reveal my full 2012 collection of headpieces and cuffs online!

Olivia vintage jewellery comb - styled with two headpieces - 2012 collection

The pieces in the new collection take inspiration from many different eras, with many pieces designed to have a softer more romantic vintage feel - but all with a modern, fashion-forward edge.

Mae - 2012 collection

The collection includes a selection of  organza ribbon bands which allow brides to indulge in delicate floral fantasies – from woodland nymph to regency ballroom, 60s ingénue, 70s hippy chick to rock n roll goddess. The bands can be worn as headbands, forehead bands and bun wraps, allowing brides to mix up their look – and wear their headpiece in different ways long after their wedding day.

Daisy - model wears two headpieces and two cuffs - 2012 collection

Seriously sparkling combs, off-centre beaded headbands and fabulous feather headpieces complete the collection – and include unique designs finished with genuine vintage jewellery for real one-off appeal.

Evita - 2012 collection

To launch the collection I wanted to do a photo shoot showcasing my designs and I chose photographer India Hobson as I am a massive fan of her ethereal fashion photography and felt confident she could show off my pieces at their best. I was absolutely delighted by the results and am now the proud owner of a series of images that show all my headpieces and cuffs - from both my original and 2012 collections - being modelled in a variety of ways so you can see how the same piece can give you lots of different looks.

I should also say a massive thank you to Chloe from The White Room in Sheffield who stocks some of my pieces and very kindly lent two stunning gowns for the shoot - Mystere by Claire Pettibone and Saskia by Jenny Packham. The stunning model is Victoria B and hair and make-up was created by the lovely Zoe Leanne Peplow.

Large Bijoux headpiece with matching cuff - original collection

Take a look at the full collection below - and be sure to visit my website www.dcbouquets.co.uk too where you’ll find many more headpiece and cuff images in the accessories section of my boutique. I’ve changed the layout of the boutique too so the accessories are grouped together according to their style and the materials used, making it easier for you to find pieces that will suit your look.

I hope you like what you see!

Debbie x

Florence headpiece and Georgina cuff

Florence is designed to be worn both as a fashion-forward forehead chain and a more traditional headband. Sitting on a delicate organza ribbon, this is a really versatile piece which combines glamour with romance – wear with loose flowing curls for a hippy chick look or a more structured style to channel your inner rock chick.

Georgina is a stunning and dramatic cuff packed with diamante and bugle beads. It is designed to work with most of my headpieces and adds a little touch of rock star glamour to your look.

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Mae 

Mae is delicate creation which can be worn as a forehead band, headband, or wrapped around a ballerina bun. Pearl, diamante and glass bugle beads embellish a fine lace backing on an organza ribbon and bring high drama and glamour when worn on the forehead and sophisticated elegance worn as a band or wrap. Matching Mae cuff available.

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Clara 

Clara is an ivory floral headpiece which can be worn as a forehead band, headband and a bun wrap – and is a really delicate but striking piece. Three large flowers sit asymmetrically on an ivory organza ribbon with an embroidered floral centrepiece on each bloom sprinkled with the tiniest dusting of glass bugle beads. Matching Clara cuff available.

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Brigitte

Brigitte is a simple feminine piece which really plays with texture. There’s sparkle too with lots of beading interspersed with the tiny applique flowers creating a fresh bohemian look. The headpiece sits on organza ribbon and can be worn as a headband, forehead band or bun wrap. Matching Brigitte cuff also available.

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Daisy headpiece and cuff

Daisy is a simple, fresh embroidered floral ivory headpiece which can be worn as a simple single-strand headband or a forehead band. Delicate metallic embroidery completes the look with a warm glow that would work well with silver or champagne tones. Buy two headpieces and wear together for extra glamour – this style twinned with an ‘up-do’ and an empire line gown creates a beautiful regency look. Daisy sits on an ivory organza ribbon and has a matching Daisy cuff – wear two for added impact.

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Rosa 

Rosa is a delicate floral design created from silver tone glass and ivory beads and designed to sit on a comb so it can be worn with a variety of hair styles. It can also be placed on a headband on request which will be wrapped with satin ribbon in the colour of your choice – choose bridal ivory or go for a colour that tones with your hair to help the band ‘disappear’.

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Natalia

Natalia is a stunning diamante headpiece which sits fluidly against the head in a design reminiscent of delicate lace. The soft curves created by the sparkling diamante combine to create a romantic yet striking look. Natalia comes on a comb so it can be placed in different positions – but can also be placed on a headband by request which will be wrapped with satin ribbon in the colour of your choice.

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Olivia

A vintage clip earring forms a sparkling centrepiece to the elegant Olivia. Three delicate leaves created from glass bugle beads make up the base of this design which will be topped by a unique vintage brooch sourced to complement your dress or other accessories. Try wearing two Olivia pieces close to the hairline for a striking fashion-forward look. Olivia comes on a comb but can be placed on a headband by request.

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Eva 

Eva is an elegant diamond-shaped headpiece which adds real vintage style to your look. Ivory pearl beads nestle alongside glass bugle beads which give a delicate warm sparkle to the piece. Eva is available on a comb or a satin ribbon-covered headband in the colour of your choice.

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Evita 

Evita is an elegant feather-topped headband finished with the diamond-shaped design which makes up the Eva comb and headband. The design is made of ivory pearl and glass bugle beads which give a delicate warm sparkle to the piece. 

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Small Ava 

This delicate ivory feather headpiece sits on a clip which allows you to position it anywhere you like on your head. Each Small Ava headpiece features a vintage brooch or dress clip - sourced to complement your gown, embellishment or other jewellery. This piece is a smaller version of the Ava beaded headpiece from my original headpiece collection which remains available to buy.

*** STOP PRESS *** 

Debbie’s new bridesmaid accessories collection is out now - click here to see! 

Lana

The Lana diamante chain headpiece is from Debbie’s new bridesmaids accessories collection - but would also suit brides looking for a more delicate version of the Florence forehead chain in Debbie’s 2012 bridal collection.

Win tickets to the Designer Wedding Show in London

My next outing with my bouquets and accessories is set to be a big one - in just over a week I’ll be heading to Battersea Park for the Designer Wedding Show. 

This event is particularly exciting for me not only because it is one of the most exclusive wedding shows on the calendar - but because I will be launching my 2012 collection of headpieces in full at the event.

Visitors to the show from October 7-9 will be the first to see, try and buy all the pieces in my new collection - and I can’t wait to finally unveil them!

Sneak peek picture of Florence - one of my new 2012 collection designs. Image by Eddie Judd Photography

To celebrate the launch of the new collection I am offering brides-to-be four pairs of tickets to attend the Designer Wedding Show on any of the three days. Just send me an email with the subject field ‘DWS competition’ and I will pick four lucky winners at random. Competition closes at midnight tomorrow (Thursday September 29).

Good luck - and I look forward to seeing you there! 

Come and say hello in Harrogate

This weekend marks the start of a busy few weeks for me as wedding show season gets underway and I prepare to take my designs on the road - and hopefully meet a few of you along the way!

Sunday is when it all begins with The Vintage Wedding Fair at Harrogate. This is a real must-do event for brides looking for vintage elements for their weddings. The fair is run by Discover Vintage who were the first to recognise there was a demand for a specific event for those want vintage, retro or antique elements for their wedding. The Harrogate Vintage Wedding Fair was the first of its kind and as such it is considered one of the best on the calendar - with brides from all over the UK already registered to attend.

One of the biggest draws is the vast selection of vintage wedding dresses. Gowns start at an incredible £50, and organiser Keeley Harris says this weekend’s event will have more dresses than ever before. You’ll find a real variety of gowns from different eras and in different price ranges - but even the most expensive can give today’s modern designs a real run for their money, with the added bonus of getting a pretty much unique dress. And if you fancy having more than one gown for your big day, what better excuse than ‘It was only £50’?

What I really love about these events is that they have such a friendly atmosphere which makes it a genuinely fun day out for both visitors and exhibitors - and it really shows on all the happy faces! Each stand offers something unique so you know in advance that you won’t be picking your way through bland, corporate, boring suppliers. And if you get tired you can recharge your batteries with some truly delicious vintage style tea and cake.

So what can you expect from me? I’ll be displaying examples of my vintage jewellery and button bouquets and you can also try - and buy - from my selection of vintage and vintage-inspired headpieces and cuffs. As a special treat to visitors I will be offering 10 per cent off all sales or bespoke orders of headpieces and cuffs. 

The event runs from midday to 5pm at The St George Hotel, 1 Ripon Road, Harrogate, HG1 2SY - I really hope I see you there!

• If you can’t make it on Sunday but would like to come and meet me and see my work up close, click here to see all the shows I’ll be exhibiting at over the next couple of months.

A posy for Esther

One of the real treats of my job is getting to see pictures of brides on their wedding day holding or wearing pieces designed and made by me. I get such a kick out of seeing my work ‘in action’ – as well as sighing over happy smiling couples and gorgeous gowns!

Today I want to share with you pictures of Esther Statham who married her dashing groom Terry in a dress that really did have me in fits of jealousy when she emailed me images during our consultation – such an elegant gown with just gorgeous pearl detailing on her neckline.

As most of my bridal consultations are done through email the fact that Esther lives in Australia meant that her commission was no different to the many brides I work with who are based closer to home here in the UK.  

Just like the majority of my clients, Esther sent me an image of her dress and gave me an idea of the kind of styles on my website that she liked, and the colour and style of her accessories – including her birdcage veil fascinator which she found on Etsy.

Picture: Natalie Donoghue

I immediately fell in love with the back of Esther’s gown which has a really stunning obi-style sash and I knew I wanted to do something to reflect that in her bouquet.

Picture: Natalie Donoghue

We chose a waterfall posy style which really suited Esther’s petite frame and her slim-fitting gown with its wonderful puddle train. I used gold tone vintage jewellery mixed with pearl beads and vintage buttons to make up the body of the bouquet. I finished her stem with ivory satin ribbon and placed a sash-style ribbon bow at the top of the bouquet to mirror the sash on her gown.

Picture: Michelle Martin

I was so pleased with the finished bouquet I immediately set about making a similar posy for display as I really didn’t want to be parted with it!

The display posy stars in a photo shoot by Anneli Marinovich 

Of course the two posies may be similar, but because I pack my bouquets with vintage pieces no two designs are the same so Esther still has a unique posy – which she keeps on display in her bedroom to remind her of her wedding day.

Esther’s posy - see more pictures of the bouquet at www.dcbouquets.co.uk

Here’s what Esther said about her experience of commissioning me: “Debbie has a beautiful gift when it comes to making bouquets that are unique but hold that old vintage charm. The bouquet she made for me was stunning and exquisite and matched by her personal and professional manner. It’s definitely a keepsake and I love having it on my bedside table to remind me of the special day! Thank you!!”

Picture: Natalie Donoghue

I’m so proud that Esther loves her keepsake bouquet so much and so happy and honoured to have played a part in her special day – it really is a fantastic perk of the job that I get to be involved in weddings all over the world in my own small way!

 

A new collection

Over the last few months I have been working on a new collection of headpieces - and today I am absolutely delighted to be able to show you a sneak peek of one of my designs - the super-sparkly ‘Florence’.

Florence - picture by Eddie Judd Photography

These beautiful photographs were taken by the amazingly talented Eddie Judd during a photoshoot at Fetcham Park House. The shoot was designed to showcase some of the stunning new 2012 Jenny Packham gowns available at the super-stylish bridal boutique Miss Bush Bridal Wear - and I was so happy to be given the chance to donate some of my new collection headpieces to accessorise some of the dresses. 

Hair and make-up was expertly carried out by the incredible Elbie Van Eeden and Ariane Jaksch and the luscious styling was put together by wedding planner Penny Cullen of Tigerlily Weddings - someone I had been dying to work with for some time.

I am so happy Penny chose Florence for the shoot as this headpiece really shows how my style has developed over the last few months and really sums up my new collection. This piece can be worn as a forehead band for a bohemian look, as shown here, or as a more traditional headband. It ties with an elegant organza ribbon for an ethereal whimsical look.

The whole collection will be exclusively launched in full at The Designer Wedding Show from Friday to Sunday October 7-9. The collection will then be available to view on my website on Monday October 10 - complete with fabulous images taken by fashion photographer India Hobson. This will mark a whole new look for the accessories section of my website as India photographed my existing collection as well as the new collection - and I can’t wait to share the stunning results with you!

• If you like the picture of Florence taken by Eddie Judd take a look at this post on the Love My Dress blog which showcases the entire shoot and includes many more gorgeous pictures of Florence on the ‘Hippy Doll’ model and lots of fabulous shots of my new vintage lace ribbon headband Mae on the ‘Audrey Doll’ model. 

A designer date for your diary

I am delighted to announce an exciting new date in my wedding show calendar - The Designer Wedding Show in London from October 7-9.

I am incredibly proud to have been selected to take part in this event as it’s considered to be one of the top bridal shows in the calendar. Exhibitors are hand-picked by a panel of judges who curate the event to ensure its design-led ethos is reflected by those who take part, which makes me especially happy to be involved in this luxury event.

The show brings together high-profile designers and less well-known names – all chosen for their attention to detail, quality and design. The catwalk shows attract top wedding magazine editors and bloggers and October’s show will be styled by Bryony Toogood, fashion director of Brides magazine. The shows will include Temperley London, Matthew Williamson, Manuel Mota, Sassi Holford, Elie Saab, Stephanie Allin, Lisa Redman, Emma Hunt, Sarah Janks, Louise Selby, Heirloom Couture, Pronovias, Ritva Westenius and Vera Wang.

For more information about the show, and to book tickets, log on to www.designerweddingshow.co.uk  or buy a copy of the September/October edition of Brides magazine where you have a chance to win free tickets or take advantage of a 2-for-1 deal for every reader.

I will be on stand 154 with a selection of my vintage jewellery and button bouquets and a wide range of my vintage and vintage-inspired headpieces for you to try on and buy. My stand is right next to the catwalk so you shouldn’t be able to miss me - hope to see you there!