.
.
.
.
Brides Up North is a bit gaga over the gorgeous gowns designed by the very friendly and very talented Charlotte Balbier, our newest Featured Supplier, who dropped by to talk to me about her latest collection, her dream wedding, her suggestions for the Royal wedding dress and other unashamedly girly stuff!
.
Can I get married all over again? I want to be a cool Charlotte Balbier bride! Bah!
.
Charlotte, your designs are very feminine and pretty, but with a modern twist. What sort of bride do you design for?
.
Charlotte Balbier designs for the bride of today. The 2011 collections highlights the modernity, style and elegance of today’s fashion coupled with the fairytale femininity of classical bridal wear. A Charlotte Balbier bride is stylish, sassy, confident and know what she wants.
.
Do you get many requests for shorter wedding dresses?
.
Yes lots! One of my best selling gowns is a shorter gown. ‘Marilyn’ is a short 1950’s style lace gown and is a popular choice as is new for 2011 Sweetpea, for those brides who want to have a short gown.
.
.
.Sweetheart
.
.
Which is your favourite design in your new collection and why?
.
I try not to have favourites… but I do!. From the 2011 collection style Eden is definitely my favourite gown. It’s such a beautiful and unique gown, the laser cut lace is just divine. The gown has a timeless elegance with a modern edge and I just love it.
.
.
..
Eden, above and below
.
.
.
What would your dream wedding day be like – and what sort of gown would you choose?
.
When I get married I would really like to get married at Christmas and have a Winter Wonderland Wedding, at somewhere like Claridges in London. It was designed to perfection in the 1920s and has many art deco features still in place. The hotel all year round is beautiful but especially at Christmas when the hotel is decorated with festive decorations, not forgetting it’s designer Christmas Tree, by John Galliano for Dior. Open fires roaring, champagne flowing and luxurious art deco surroundings is my number one choice for a Christmas Wedding.
.
I would have more than one gown, in fact I would have 3!
.
Which celebrity would you most like to dress and why? What dress would you design for them?
.
Michelle Williams. She’s a bit different without being wacky and she always looks stylish. I love her Red Carpet look, she is always under-stated but oh-so-glam with a vintage edge.
.
The question on everyone’s lips – which of your designs would you choose for Kate Middleton? Or alternatively, what sort of dress would you design for her?
.
Kate is true English Rose with a touch of glamour and effortless chic, her dress choice should reflect her personality and her modern day fairytale wedding to the Prince. I would dress Kate in a soft silk gown that is elegant and timeless, I would style Kate with a long veil and accessories from the Royal’s treasure box!! I would keep Kate fresh, young, stylish with a fashion edge without compromising her elegant chic style.
.
.
Isabelle – Charlotte’s choice for Kate.
.
.
How did you get into wedding dress design – what is your "story"?
.
I was born into bridal royalty as my grandparents had a very successful bridal empire from the 1960’s – 1990’s. My Mum is the award winning designer Amanda Wyatt, this makes me the 3rd generation to have my own collection in my family!
.
Charlotte Balbier was launched in 2003 and I have never looked back! Over the past 8 years the brand has grown from strength to strength and now is enjoying a very high profile and I could not be happier. From being a little girl I always knew I wanted to create beautiful gowns for brides.
.
Is this your dream job? If you weren’t a wedding dress designer, what would be your alternative career?
.
Oh yes absolutely this is my dream job (what girl would not want my job?) My alternative career would have been to go into television or performing arts as I am a little bit of a show – off!
.
Describe a typical working day in the life of Charlotte Balbier…
.
Everyday is so different, it really does depend where I am and what I’m doing. If I’m office based then I work with Nicola (my glamorous assistant), making sure we are keeping all our social networking up-to-date, processing orders, speaking to customers (boutique owners), as well as to brides. I do a lot of PR & marketing in house so spend time doing Q&A’s, blogs etc.
.
If out and about I am often in London catching up with the magazine fashion directors editors and publishers… we often meet for cocktails and lunch.
.
I am also always busy arranging photo shoots, shows and events.
.
I also have to travel a lot with work, so far this year I have been to China, Taiwan, HK, Manila and the USA all on business.
.
In-between all this I have to lock myself away to work on the new collections and designs…. as well as trying to keep up with seeing friends and family, walking my dogs, socialising and of course shopping!!!… it’s a busy life being Charlotte Balbier!
.
How can Brides Up North readers get in touch with you? Do they need an appointment?
.
The best way to get in touch is via the facebook fanpage for Charlotte Balbier, it’s a fabulous on-line community for my brides myself and Nicola are interacting daily with all the brides.
.
If you are not a facebook user you can email direct to charlottebalbier@charlottebalbier.com If a bride wants to find her local Charlotte Balbier Boutique I have over 40 in the UK that I supply, the full list can be found on my website and yes, they are all appointment only.
.
Are you at any upcoming wedding fairs or events/ anything my readers should know about?
.
Yes lots! If you look at my website the events page has all the events on it.
.
.
Thanks Charlotte!
.
Just for fun, because I love it, some more Charlotte Balbier eye candy… mmmmm…
.
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Sugar high!
.
Have you worn a Charlotte Balbier design for your Real Wedding? We want to see please! Send me pics!
.
.
Charlotte Balbier is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
.
.
