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Beaullea
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If you are a regular reader of the wedding blog, you’ll know that I recently made a whistle-stop trip down to the smoke to White Gallery London, for a preview of the top bridal designer’s 2014 collections. These are the gowns that will be landing in a wedding dress boutique near you soon.
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I couldn’t possibly keep all the pretty to myself though, and so am in the privileged position of obtaining access to all my favourite bridal designers for a series of exclusive interviews here on Brides Up North, where they’ll be giving you a sneak peek at their newest designs, sharing the inspirations behind the collections and giving you a glance into their (very beautiful) world. Watch this space for the finest in bridal design, direct to your screens soon. Excited, much?!
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Let’s open the series with a chat with one of my very, very favourite designers – who also happens to be a very lovely lady indeed – North West based Charlotte Balbier, a pioneer of lace detailing and vintage styling in modern bridal design.
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Charlotte’s eagerly anticipated 2014 collection adds embellishment and modern touches to cloud like romantic gowns, teaming muted hues with metallic accents for subtle sophistication. A Decade of Style takes a turn to the future with a plethora of luxury textures and tones that have never been seen before from this leading bridal fashion house.
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Hi Charlotte, please introduce and tell us a little about your brand?
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Charlotte Balbier was first established September 2003 and elatedly for all of 2013 we are celebrating a decade in British bridal. I was born into bridal heritage with both my grandparents being in bridal design, manufacturing and retail between the 1960’s-1990’s and my Mum is award winning bridal designer Amanda Wyatt. I created Charlotte Balbier as I wanted to bring something fresh, fashion forward, young and vibrant to the U.K bridal scene and thank fully 10 years later I can proudly say… it worked!
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What is your style philosophy?
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Be true to you, don’t follow the trends and dress for your style, personality and body shape and don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd, be unique!
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Tell us about your beautiful new collection?
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Each gown has an identity, a distinct look and feel, a story behind the magic. The collection captures the imagination and that’s just how I intended when designing each piece with the bride in mind. Each bride embarks on a journey and each bride is consumed by love, and they all have their own love story to tell…
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Beaullea
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Where do you look for inspiration?
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Everywhere and anywhere, every day brings a new lease of inspiration and ideas. My brides are amazing and I love to hear from them with all their wedding news and journey’s and thanks to social media I get to keep in touch with each and every one of them. I love to take myself away with my dog Buster for a long walk whilst mulling over ideas and taking in the countryside. I am also addicted to Pinterest and love to follow all kinds of lifestyle, fashion and wedding boards. My biggest passion is high fashion and haute couture and I love to keep an eye on all the latest collections from my favourite designers.
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What sort of woman do you design for, did you have a specific “muse” for this collection?
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I design for all women! To me all my brides are all beautiful and special in their own way. Each collection has 25 pieces and each design is unique.
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Belle
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What fabrics and embellishments were chosen for the new collection?
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I chose soft satins, French laces, floating chiffons, rich jersey and crepes. I adore lace and I spend months sourcing beautiful and bespoke laces for each collection. This collection I have also commissioned some exclusive Charlotte Balbier fabrics with metallic silver accents, which are just amazing.
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Do you have a personal favourite from the new collection?
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I have two! I love ‘Leonora’ for the shape (it makes you look and feel 1-2 sizes smaller) and really makes the most of a woman’s shape. I also love the lace on Leonora as it’s so feminine. My other favourite is ‘Sienna’ as I just adore the soft satin and cowl back detail.
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Holly
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What jewellery would you pair with pieces from your new collection?
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I am a less is more kind of girl when it comes to jewellery, although I am a sucker though for a cuff or some statement earrings but it really depends on the gown, the bride her style and style of wedding.
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What beauty look would complement the pieces in your new collection?
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The beauty styling we went for on the photo-shoot was old sultry Hollywood glamour, vibrant red lips and nails with long lashes. This look compliments the gowns perfectly and it’s a personal favourite of mine!
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Boadicea & Holly
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Boadicea
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Do you have a “signature” piece?
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‘Flora’ is my ‘wow’ dress that captures everyone’s attention, it’s completely unique and stands out from the crowd.
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How do you decide on the “names” for your gowns?
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I try to match them with a name that suits the style of gown, I also only use names I like and love. If I have a dress that reminds me of someone I will name it after them, it might be a past bride, a Charlotte Balbier boutique owner or member of my team…
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What sizes are available in your gowns? Is there a made to measure option?
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A Charlotte Balbier gown can be ordered in any size. Our chart is 8-30 but we often make below and over this. Yes, you can have made to measure and these start at £2,500 upwards.
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Rose
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Megan & Beaullea
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Libby
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What is the process for your clients from finding “the one” to the final fitting?
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Every Charlotte Balbier bride orders their ‘one’ via a Charlotte Balbier stockist and they handle all the appointments and fittings. We recommend a bride orders 8-12 months in advance to ensure there is time to make the gown and all alterations to be carried out. We do though cater for those last minute brides too.
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What is the retail price range for your designs?
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£1,000 – £2,000 for the ready to wear pieces.
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Boadicea
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Flora
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What sets Charlotte Balbier apart from other bridal wear brands?
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Over the 10 years as a designer my aim was always to create fresh and exciting designs that still remain true to the brand identity and that are instantly recognisable as a ‘Charlotte Balbier”.
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How did you get into wedding dress design – what is your story?
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I was born into it, my Grandmother was a wedding dress designer and my Grandfather both a wedding dress designer and tailor. My Mum is also a designer, Amanda Wyatt so it’s in the blood. I did toy with other career path’s in my early 20’s but my heart belonged to our bridal heritage.
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Holly
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Was there a defining point in your career that made your business the success that it is today?
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Yes my ‘Summer Of Love’ collection that I launched in 2007 put me on the map so to speak. This was my 5th collection and I really pushed myself and the boundaries to create a collection that was really different. I also produced a photo-shoot to go with this collection that at the time was very different to what anyone had ever done before in bridal. The location, model, styling and photography were amazing and I still love it now five years on!
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Another turning point was that when I started in 2003 there was no lace dresses in the market, my 1st collection and every collection since has always had lace pieces and it’s so lovely to see it now so popular. The first shows I did so many people said to me “Ooh lace won’t sell it looks too vintage and brides don’t like vintage or lace!” I’m glad I stood by what I believed in and pushed the boundaries.
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What are your plans for the future?
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This year and collection is a massive achievement and turning point for Charlotte Balbier both for the brand and me personally. Every year I have evolved and this collection sees my biggest evolvement to date and next year I have some very exciting changes and developments up my sleeve for the brand. I am also getting married this Winter so will no longer be Miss Balbier I will be Mrs Balbier Bedford… I feel so grown up!
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Leonora
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Phillipa
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Is this your dream career? What alternative career would you choose?
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This is my dream and I feel blessed to have the dream job and career every morning I wake up (however stressed I am with new collections or photo shoot planning)!
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What would “a day in the life” at Charlotte Balbier HQ be like?
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My day starts at 9am and very rarely before 9am as I don’t do mornings! We have regular morning meetings with all the team together (there are 20 of us in the Balbier Wyatt HQ) if we are not having a big meeting with all the team we have mini meetings with those we work closely with, for me that’s my assistants Lucy and Holly and I always have a ten minute catch up with my Mum and business partner Amanda.
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My inbox is constantly full and I try my best to clear it but it never seems to get done… I do though answer all the urgent ones immediately.
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Depending on the time of year my day really can vary, in sales season I can be in the showroom daily with Charlotte Balbier stockists showing them new collections. Around show times I am running round like a crazy lady finishing new designs, signing off catwalk shows, stand plans and many, many things that make a show successful. At the moment have been busy arranging the next photo-shoot working with the stylist calling in gorgeous accessories and props. I also spend a lot of time away from the HQ sourcing fabrics and working on new designs and collections.
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Priscilla
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Where do you go and what do you do to relax?
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I am obsessed with having facials and massages and I go to the Clarins Spa every 2 – 3 weeks for a body or face treatment. For 90 minutes I switch off and have some ‘me’ time. I walk every day with my dog Buster and this relaxes me as it’s the only time I am not either on my laptop or iPad!
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What are your “best things” in life?
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My family comes first followed closely by my friends. I am lucky as I am from a very close family and have a wonderful circle of close friends. I love spending time with them all: BBQs in the garden, cocktails in the sunshine or just a walk in the park.
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Sarah
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How can Brides Up North readers get in touch with you/ see more of your designs?
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Online at www.charlottebalbier.com or join our fabulous online community on Facebook and twitter or you can email charlotte@charlottebalbier.com
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Do you have any Northern stockists – how can Brides Up North find them?
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Of course we do! Click here for a full list of all of the Northern boutiques that stock Charlotte Balbier.
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Thank you Charlotte!
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2013 Charlotte Balbier
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