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Baby, it’s cold outside. This afternoon, we talk to Brides Up North Featured Supplier and friend of the wedding blog Kay of Wrapor about how to cover up or keep the chill out prettily on your big day.
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What is your background?
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For as long as I remember I have always been interested in sewing and dressmaking. I remember being really fascinated as a child watching my mother turn a yard of floral cotton fabric into a pretty dress for me to wear in a matter of a couple of hours. My sister is a dressmaker too (who now works for me) and my brother a pattern cutter, so learning to sew was a natural path for me to take.
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I left school in 1984 and began training as a sewing machinist for a ladies wear manufacturer, making clothing for High Street chains including Laura Ashley and Next. I too quickly picked up the skills to turn a yard of fabric into something fabulous to wear on a Saturday night!
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In 1991 I started my first job in bridal wear working for a local talented wedding dress designer, where I was taught the skills to create beautiful silk wedding gowns from start to finish. My love affair with bridal wear and luxury fabrics had begun. A year later I made my own wedding and bridesmaids dresses and also my Mum’s wedding outfit, it saved us a fortune!
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In the years to follow I worked in several bridal shops, carrying out fittings and alterations on ready made wedding dresses. I loved playing a huge part in making brides look and feel their very best. However, I found that although most of the dresses came with a wrap, the customers would often look awkward trying to keep them in place and they would end up tying them in a huge knot at the back to keep them on.
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How did Wrapor begin?
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In 2006 my beautiful 9 month old baby son Kian was seriously ill so I gave up work to look after him. Thankfully my son made a full recovery and is now a healthy and happy 6 year old.
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The following year a friend asked me to make her something to cover a small tattoo on her shoulder on her wedding day, a wrap was out of the question as it it would just fall down and she would be readjusting it all day. After a few attempts using matching satin the Wrapor shrug was born. Kelly loved how the creation stayed in place without covering any detail on her dress, she wore it all day and into the evening and she looked and felt fabulous! I was now ready to go back to work and I had a business idea. I was lucky attend a short business course at MMU and afterwards started trading as Wrapor.
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Tell us about Wrapor’s range of shrugs and boleros?
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The unique design looks like a traditional wrap but slips on like a jacket and stays in place without fastenings of any kind. The original shrug style is designed to be worn on the edge or off the shoulders and has under arm gathers, offering just enough coverage to upper arms, shoulders and upper back. The newer bolero style is cut deeper and is designed to sit higher on the shoulders; another feature of the bolero is soft underarm pleats in place of gathers. Both styles are available in a huge range of fabrics and colours and are not just for brides – bridesmaids, mothers of the brides and wedding guests also love Wrapor. The designs are copyright protected as IPO registered designs.
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Is every Wrapor piece bespoke? Tell us about the process.
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Each garment is made individually to the customer’s specification. Customers usually contact us when they have already chosen their dress, preferably at least 6 weeks before the event. Often they will email a photo of their dress, so I can advise on the type of fabric and style to match or compliment it. We then hand pick suitable fabrics and send samples to customers for them to match the fabric up to the dress before they place their order. Alternatively the customers can send a sample of their dress fabric for us to match up. Recently I have noticed a trend for vibrant colours. Brides looking to add a splash of colour, have had the designs custom made in hot pink, blue or tangerine silk, to match their shoes.The measuring guide will help to determine which size to order via the website, different lengths are also available. We then either use a stock fabric or order fabric in especially, we can also use fabric supplied by the customer.
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The garment is cut individually from the chosen fabric, sewn, then hand sewn in several places and pressed. It is carefully checked, then wrapped in tissue and boxed. The parcels are sent using Special Delivery. The garment should arrive crease free and ready to wear.
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What materials do you use to produce the pieces?
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The designs can be made in virtually any fabric. The main stock fabrics we carry are, faux fur, silk, chiffon, organza, duchess satin and taffeta and lace. Popular colours include white, ivory, champagne, gold and black. The sheer fabrics are very popular and they can also be used as an overlay, which can be mixed and matched to create your perfect fabric combination. We can use Swarovski crystals to embellish them for a touch of sparkle. This month we are launching a new Vintage Hollywood inspired range which will include a show stopping ostrich feather Wrapor.
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Why do Brides need a Wrapor shrug?
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The designs are very popular in the cooler months. The faux fur shrug looks fabulous with any dress fabric and they are popular with brides and bridesmaids. We can also use a fleece lining inside the other fabrics for extra warmth.
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Many of my customers feel a little exposed in a sleeveless dress, they may want to cover up for a religious ceremony or to cover imperfections due to weight loss or whatever. Others just like to add a little something to complete their outfit or to add a splash of colour. Standard bolero jackets don’t suit everyone and can sometimes look quite frumpy, customers tell me that the simple elegant styling of the Wrapor is just what they have been looking for.
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Can Wrapor shrugs be made to fit any size?
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Yes they are available in sizes 6-30.
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Can you give Brides Up North an idea on price?
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Our unique designs are all made to order in the UK and come direct to you, so the cost is much less than it would be if they were available from a bridal shop. The prices start at £62 for a duchess satin shrug up to
£170 for our new ostrich feather shrug.
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Can you do a discount for Brides Up North readers?
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Yes! Brides up North readers can use the code BUN1 at the checkout for 10% discount.
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How far in advance do Brides Up North need to place their order?
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It is always best to allow as much time as possible before your event, preferably 6 weeks, then this will allow time for free alterations if needed. However we can usually accommodate “emergency orders” our stock fabrics can be made up and sent out within 7 days if needed.
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Why do you read and like Brides Up North?
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Unfortunately I have found that most of the popular wedding blogs and magazines focus mainly on London and southern based business. It was so refreshing to find Brides Up North, as there are so many wonderfully talented wedding businesses people in the North of England and Scotland. We are mainly small businesses owners who are passionate about what we do, we offer unique quality products and great customer service. Brides Up North is the ideal opportunity to showcase our businesses and to show brides to be everywhere that northern talent rocks!
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I only discovered Twitter in June this year and I am now hooked! It was wonderful to have the opportunity to meet some of my fellow Twitter friends at the “Tweet Up” organized by Brides up North in August. I have attended other business networking events and I thought networking wasn’t really for me, but I decided to give it a go. However the Brides Up North Tweet Up was so different, as we all had one thing in common – Weddings! It was held in a lovely boutique hotel in Manchester and was so relaxed as we all chatted over a glass of champers and nibbled canapés. I met so many friendly people with fab wedding businesses; we shared different experiences and info with one and other. I will now recommend them to others and hopefully they will recommend Wrapor in return. After all word of mouth is the very best form of advertising.
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As a result of people I met at the Tweetup, Wrapor has been involved in four stunning photo shoots, including businesses I met there. These include a Hollywood Glamour shoot (showcased here), a fairy inspired shoot, a vintage steam railway and an ice queen shoot to be showcased soon on Brides Up North.
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How can Brides up North get in touch with you/ find out more?
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Visit www.wraporshrug.co.uk to see our most popular range of styles and fabrics and to order fabric samples. Telephone: 0161 432 1907 Or email: kay@wraporshrug.co.uk
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Wrapor is a web based business, without a shop premises as such, but with the help of our fabric samples service, most of our customers have the confidence to order online. However personal appointments can sometimes be arranged.
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 Wrapor/ McAvoy Weddings
Wrapor is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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