Diamanté Issue 7 Autumn 2011 by City Publications

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2011 COMPLIMENTARY COPY

HOT BRIDAL LOOKS FOR

2012 A CENTURY OF BRIDAL FASHION

Spotlight on Alice Temperley and Ian Stuart

CATWALK REPORTS

Sexy Lingerie

A Vintage Affair

WHO’S COMING TO THE FAYRE. SPECIAL FEATURE

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Monique Lhuiller

WELCOME

The Wedding Season is now in full swing and there are numerous Bridal Fayres all over South Wales to choose from, here at Diamante we are just adding the ﬁnal touches to our big event, which in case you haven’t heard, is the Vintage Bridal fayre at the Coal Exchange on Sunday 2nd October. Looking ahead to next year, strong trends from the catwalks include many Victorian styles, very full ball gowns, transparent trains and more colour choices, from nudes to metallics, and coffee hues to eau de nil and duck egg, white really is not the only option. A Diamante favourite Ian Stuart features in our spotlights with his exciting Killer Queen collection and top London designer Alice Temperley wows us with her beautifully crafted ornate gowns. In accessories we have a Swarovski treat with jewellery, bags and shoes all designed to make your sparkle on your big day. Rosa Clara

For once it appears that cake trends are veering towards the groom’s choice with wedding pies and dessert tables being a strong theme. We look forward to seeing you at the Fayre.

Alison Tucker & All The Team Front Cover picture

Spotlight on Alice Temperley

A preview of the 2012 collection

Spotlight on Ian Stuart

Design genius wows us with new range Dowdell opens her sketchbook

10-11

Layers Rufﬂes ‘n’ Lace

12-14

Brides Through The Ages

Hot looks for 2012

How todays wedding gown has evolved

On The Catwalk

JIM HJELM

CONTENTS 16

The Glam Guest

The Long And Short Of It

Crystal Magic

All The Fun Of The Fayre

The Eyes Have It

Favourite Things

It’s not just the brides big day What length Gown

Swarovski is a girls best friend The Lowdown

Get the Angelina look for the big day Let them cake....or pork pie

Hot Pics from 12 of the top designers

With a readership of 60,000, ‘Diamanté/Diamanté Pour Homme’ is distributed to Cardiff, The Vale of Glamorgan, Caerphilly, Pontypridd, Talbot Green, Bridgend, Newport and surrounding areas. It is available in bridal shops, mens hire, hotels/wedding venues, photography studios, wedding cake studios, ﬂorists, jewellers, fashion retailers, hairdressers, beauty salons, health spas and restaurants etc.

DIAMANTE EDITOR Alison Amrita Tucker 029 2045 0532

alison@citypublications.org

WE’RE ONLINE....

ADVERTISING SENIOR SALES CONSULTANT Julie Veronica Jones

SALES TEAM

Adrian Stone & Paul Ferguson 029 2045 0532 info@citypublications.org

DESIGN

Tom Freese Daniel Craig

Read our magazines using innovative page turning software.

www.diamantebridal.co.uk www.welshlife.biz coming soon: www.decadencemagazine.co.uk

Six of the best

Spotlight on Alice Temperley

The Alice Temperley London 2011-2012 madeto-order bridal collection will blow you away. From detailed decadent gowns to ethereal, bohemian styles, the collection is characterized by incredible craftsmanship, fine hand embroidery, beautiful beadwork and delicate laces. This collection is timeless.

DIAMANTĂ&#x2030; BRIDAL MAGAZINE www.diamantebridal.co.uk

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Six Of The Best Spotlight on

Ian Stuart

DIAMANTĂ&#x2030; BRIDAL MAGAZINE www.diamantebridal.co.uk

This issue we spotlight design genius Ian Stuartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jaw dropping 2012 collection Killer Queen! His signature full skirted dresses with sculpted bodices make a strong appearance alongside the more figure hugging fishtail designs with larger than life embellishments. Rock chic rebellion is the theme. ADD STOCKIST!!!!!!

SIMPLY GOLD JEWELLERS DAZZLE YOUR DAY

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Occasion Wear Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom, Guest Outfits [size 6-26] Hats to Complement Jewellery

Accessories

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Purchase any new bridal gown over £600 and receive a FREE VOUCHER to the value of £100 to spend on accessories. appointments advisable (Closed Wednesday) 7a, Under Cardiff Road, Bargoed, CF81 8NZ.

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Hot Looks For 2012

2012 sees a few changes in bridal fashion seen. Many styles will have a romantic Victorian ﬂair. Think corsets, soft layers, rufﬂes, lace, full skirts and high collars. You only have to look to Vera Wang’s 2012 collection to see such wistful nostalgia. Not just in the designs but also in the shades. Colours are dusty and come from a by-gone era – light aqua, gold and taupe, coupled with accents of grey, chestnut and beige.

Sophia T olli

ng Vera Wa

Another big trend for next season is the transparent train. Top designers such as Marchesa and Anne Bowen have been showcasing their take on the train trend providing a style for every type of bride - glamour to grecian. This trend involves a close ﬁtting wedding dress with a transparent chiffon or organza train added on top or just to the back. The resulting ethereal feel is nothing short of magical

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olli Sophia T

Finally, and probably thanks to The Royal Wedding, more and more brides are choosing to wear two gowns, a longer, more formal one for the ceremony and a fun, short one for the reception. Prior to this year, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d fallen in love with two dresses, you had the painful and daunting task of eliminating oneâ&#x20AC;Śnow you can have both! Marchesa

Pepe Bo

tella

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Wedding Gowns Through The Ages The wedding gown is unique and an extremely important item of clothing. Throughout history, women have tried to make their wedding dress special, in this feature we take a look back over the centuries to see what has changed and what has stayed the same. In medieval times Royal Princesses marriages were of great importance and used to seal alliances between two countries, it was necessary for the young bride to look magnificent to uphold the prestige of her country, and impress the bridegroom’s country with her own nation’s apparent wealth. As a result the bridal gown would have used as much material as possible, rich fabrics like velvet, damask silk, satin, fur and fabrics woven with gold and silver thread. Colours would be rich too - only the wealthy could afford expensive red, purple and true black dyes, which were much harder to acquire than natural vegetable-based shades. Additionally, the dress would be sewn with precious gems - diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and pearls - so the bride would glitter and flash in the sunlight. In some cases, the gown would be so thickly encrusted with jewels, that the fabric beneath was hidden. Of course, not many brides were princesses and most could not afford such expense. But, in order to look special, a bride would usually try to copy the dress of a woman of a higher social class than herself. A noblewoman would do her best with gems and fur trimmings. A well-to-do middle class woman would aspire to velvet or silk fabrics, and because she could not usually afford mink or sable, she would wear fox, or rabbit fur to impress her friends. The poor bride’s dress would be of linen, or fine wool, instead of the usual coarse homespun, and she would use as much fabric as she could. For an everyday girl, clothes would normally be as sparingly cut as was decent, so a gown with flowing sleeves or a train was a big status symbol. In modern times with factory made materials,

the symbol of the bride in her train has lost its original meaning, but become a tradition. White, or a variation of white, was of course always a favourite and symbolised a girl’s virginity and innocence in the face of her imminent change of state. But it was not a practical shade for most purposes and it was not always the best option. Blue with its associations with the Virgin Mary, was another a strong symbol of purity, which also traditionally symbolised fidelity and eternal love (hence the popularity of the sapphire in engagement rings). Brides who wore blue believed their husbands would always be true to them, so even if their gown itself was not blue, they would be sure to wear something blue about their person. This is another tradition that has survived to this day. For brides of the lower classes, an extremely common shade of wedding gown was grey, because it was such a useful colour to re-use as Sunday best, being considered eminently respectable. In Victorian times it became associated with girls in domestic service, as they would often be provided with a new grey dress each year by their employer. Its deeper shade of black was of course banned, with its permanent association with death and mourning. In fact it was considered such a bad omen that in some places even the guests were not allowed to wear it, and a recent widow would change her mourning for a red gown for the day, in deference to the bride. This in turn deepened the antipathy towards red, which was viewed as bridal mourning.

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Those forced by economics into wearing a dress that would soon become regular daily wear, would adorn it for the day with temporary decorations. Up until the nineteenth century ribbons would be tied into bows, or “love knots” and loosely attached to the dress. These “bride laces” would be pulled off by the guests during the post ceremony festivities, and kept as wedding favours, or souvenirs. This custom gradually died out, being replaced by flowers instead. Guests would be given floral button-holes to wear, and the bride might wear flowers in her hair; as a corsage; or garlanded round her skirts, or else carry them in a bouquet. Rosemary and myrtle were early favourites, and orange blossom became popular in the 1830s. This custom has, of course, remained to this day. The “traditional” wedding attire as we know it today first appeared in the late eighteenth century. With the introduction of machine made fabrics and cheap muslins imported from India. By 1800 the white dress with a veil was definitely the one to wear. As usual with fashion, it began in London, spread to other cities and towns and eventually to country areas. In 1840 Queen Victoria chose white silk and Honiton lace for her own wedding, and made it the virtual rule. The Queen was the first royal bride to have bridesmaids to carry her train too, which also set a fashion.

In the nineteenth century, even a bride who wore white would expect to wear her dress again. For the season of her “bride visits” when she would do the rounds of family, friends and acquaintances as a newly married woman, she would wear her bridal gown, with the train and flowers removed. A higher class bride would then adapt the bodice of the outfit (which was often made separately) and retrim it for evening wear for another season.

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In the 1920s

Until the 1920s wedding dresses were always in the style of the moment, if more elaborately decorated than usual, and more modest than the most daring fashion. In that decade however, there was a revolution in women’s clothing, and hemlines and for ordinary wear rose from the shoe to well above the knee. At first wedding styles followed suit, and brides showed their ankles, but as skirts grew ever more abbreviated, it was felt by some to be unsuitable for a church service, and many brides preferred full-length wedding gowns. This choice of following the fashion of the season or reverting to a long dress with a train led in the twentieth century to the development of a separate style in bridal wear.

The 1930s

After the “Roaring Twenties” came the depression of the thirties, and the times were characterised by a change in fashion. Waistlines returned to their natural position, and became more defined. Hemlines dropped back below the knee, though they were never to reach the floor again for day wear. Instead of the boyish look, women emphasised their shape again. This was more pronounced as the decade wore on, with the introduction of bias cut gowns that hugged the female figure.

The 1940s

The white wedding dress virtually disappeared during the war years. Clothes rationing was introduced in 1941, when fashion almost ceased to exist. A few made brave efforts with parachute silk, whilst others wore gowns borrowed from relatives, but most brides wore uniform. Those not in the services also tended to wear a suit, or “costume” as they were called then, with a floral corsage pinned to the lapel. After the war ended, rationing was still in force, but nobody wanted Princess Elizabeth to skimp on her wedding gown - clothing coupons poured into Buckingham Palace in 1947 from loyal citizens wanting to see her at her best for her marriage.Consequently, her Hartnell gown was sumptuous, with embroidery and beading decorating the flowing satin. The sweetheart neckline and wide shoulders followed a predominant style of the decade, which was soon to give way, in the late forties, to Dior’s stunning New Look, with narrow shoulders, nipped waist and wide skirts.

The 1950s

Many women wore variations on Dior’s New Look, and had the under-dress dyed a new colour afterwards to wear as a cocktail dress. Brocade and lace gradually superceded satin almost universally for wedding gowns. To counterbalance the bouffant skirts, veils, which had previously been usually square, worn folded diagonally with the point at the back and sides, now became circular and waist-length, usually attached to a coronet style headdress. Now in the 21st Century there is nothing new in the fashion silhouette we take all our influences from history, and we all have our favourite period.

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Devota Lomba

Sassi Holford

Reem Acra

Jasper Conran

Alberta Ferretti

Galliano

Christian Dior

Jenny Lee

Manuel Mota

Oscar Delarenta

Peter Langner

Melissa Sweet

Catwalk News

Diamante’s Hot Picks : from next season’s collections

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The Glam Guest Yes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the brides big day, but if you are the mother of the bride, or groom it is your day too ! So here are some of the key looks from the top occasion wear designers. Be bold with black and white, or sexy in racy red, embrace natures gems in ďŹ&#x201A;orals or shimmer with metallic themes. The choice is yours. John Charles John Charles

Condici

Inspirato

Condici

Ian Stua

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SUSAN’S

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THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT

s a designer I am often asked ‘Has anyone ever chosen a dress that does not suit them?’ In twenty years this has only happened once. In this instance I explained to the bride how I was tweaking the design slightly to suit her ﬁgure. The result was a beaming bride and a beaming dress designer! More often than choosing a poorly suiting gown I hear brides writing off a style of gown they think won’t suit them before they have even tried it on. The most common themes I hear are

‘I’m too tall/short to wear a short gown’ Nonsense! At Blue we have built a reputation and expertise for short dresses. Mad as it sounds, we create ‘long’ short dresses and ‘short’ short dresses (and a myriad of lengths in between.) It’s all about proportion and the gown being the correct length for you. A top tip for you, when trying on short dresses pop on a pair of heels. They don’t have to be sky scrapers, kitten heels are perfect if you feel you might struggle with really high heels. The most crucial decider on whether you should wear a short gown is how you stand. Feet planted firm and square is great for balance and posture but not necessarily the prettiest when flaunting a shapely ankle in a short gown. We have been known to give lessons in standing prettily! This season we had our best ever pupil, a bride who practised her ‘short dress stance’ whilst standing at the photocopier in work! From one fitting to the next the change was dramatic. The important thing was by the time it came to her wedding day she didn’t have to think about it and so she looked completely comfortable, natural and FABULOUS!

‘I don’t want a strapless gown’ This is often followed with a tale of going to a wedding and the bride spending the whole day hitching up the gown. As a designer this drives me MAD! It means someone somewhere has not done their job properly. With correct ﬁtting and the correct underwear there should be no need for a gown to be hitched up repeatedly. A word about underwear at this point gals – the best underwear to wear under a strapless gown is a basque. A strapless bra will contain your bust but will do very little to support it. A basque will support the weight of your bust all around your body and so help keep gravity at bay. Choosing not to have a strapless gown because you want your shoulders covered is an excellent reason; someone else’s poorly ﬁtting gown is a distressing reason!

‘I don’t want a veil’ Trying in on wedding dresses for the first time can be an overwhelming experience. Here you are with all this fabric around you and then someone comes along and sticks another bit of fabric on your head. What’s all that about?! That’s fine – it’s okay to be scared! I always remember a friend saying to me years ago “Every time I look at my wedding photographs I wish I’d had a veil”. Therefore, I always ask my brides to hold off making the final decision about not wearing a veil right until the very end when their dress is finished. When they are having their final dress fitting if they still feel uncomfortable wearing a veil then not wearing one is the right decision. You will be amazed by how many brides who were initially very sure about not having a veil then change their minds...

For further information contact Angela Pitcher Dowdell on 029 2062 4477 www.bluebridalwear.co.uk

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Making your Day Serene Serene Weddings is a family owned and run business, based in South Wales, they are dedicated to providing exceptional photography, ﬂoristry, venue decoration, chair cover hire, sweet tables, stationary, tiaras and jewellery and much more. They are proud to say that all of their services are provided in-house, with no out-sourcing of any kind, ensuring that you receive a consistently high quality product. Whether you choose their individually priced services, or a tailor made package of multiple services, Serene Weddings aim to translate your ideas into an unforgettable wedding experience that you can treasure forever. Planning your wedding day can be particularly intense and potentially quite stressful. Serene can help to take the strain by organising everything, liaising with your venue and helping you to plan your day. They will be there at every stage to ensure that your wedding day runs smoothly. www.sereneweddings.co.uk Gorgeous ‘Calla Lillies’ bouquet from... Karen The Florist of Caerphilly Rd, Birchgrove, Cardiff. www.Karentheﬂorist.com

The Full Treatment

A great way to enhance your hair Beauty at Scissors on Churchill Way Cardiff offers a wide range of enhanced beauty treatments for the Bride, Mother of the Bride/ Mother of the Groom or guest.. Beth Evans is fully trained in a wide variety of beauty treatments and has specialised in semi-permanent make up for over 15 years. Whether its eyeliner, eyebrow or lip, you are guaranteed to look and feel wonderful. As her business has grown so have her treatments and services. Beauty at Scissors also offer facials, Caci, Microdermabrasion, Glycolic Peels, BioOxygen, Dermalift Anti-Ageing Collagen Masks, Cosmetic Injectables by Dr. H. Perry, Nail enhancements, lash perm and tinting, 3D Hollywood Lashes, Aromatherapy Massage.

If you would like to give your hair a little extra life, volume, bounce or “je ne sais quoi”, a fantastic way to do this is with hairpieces and clips. The options available from Periwig are ideal for a plethora of occasions, for instance if you are having a bad hair day clip in a pony tail or add some lustrous extensions for a whole new look. These fabulous products are also brilliant for nights out, parties, weddings and a whole lot more. www.periwigdirect.com

www.beautyatscissors.co.uk

A Floral Delight If it’s ﬂoral artistry and design genius you require then pay a visit to Village Flower Studio in Rumney, Cardiff. Owner Rob Prys Jones has over 22 years experience in the industry and understands each bride is an individual and has an idea of how everything should look on their dream day. Rob can interpret any idea into something magical that will delight the bride and her party. www.villageﬂowerstudio.com

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A study in crystology This Mirella Swarovski Luxe Necklace Set is another must have item As with all of the pieces we have selected, this is certainly a set that can be worn for any special event. From the Italian Luxe Collection of bridal jewellery. Available from www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.uk

Award winning Crystal Couture shoes by Yona Armstrong. These stunning shoes from the new Elite Collection are just amazing. Available from www.iwantcrystalcouture.com If you want to see these up close come to the Diamante Bridal Fayre on Sunday 2nd October

Swarovski Crystal Vintage Style Tiara / Tiara Comb in Crystal AB. Every Princess should own at least one tiara and this vintage piece would be great to hand down generation to generation. Available in other colours. www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.uk

A Vintage delight, this gorgeous bridal hair comb is inspired by the elegance of the Art Nouveau period. With an antique ďŹ nish this would be ideal for a vintage themed wedding. Available at www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.uk

This handbag is a darling, Swarovski crystal encrusted the cutest fastening, even if you are not getting married, this would be great for a night out over the festive season.Available at www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.uk

Ava Swarovski Crystal Vintage Brooch Bridal belt. Stunning crystal bridal belt made with Swarovski crystals in a vintage design with brooch detail. Made to order to ďŹ t brides waist size. Available from www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.uk

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Crystal Couture create luxury wedding and occasion shoes guaranteed to add extra sparkle to that special day. Intricately decorated with Swarovski crystals, the unique designs are available in a range of styles, colours, heel sizes and fabrics. Matching crystal clutch bags ďŹ nish the look. See the full range at www.iwantcrystalcouture.com

All the fun of the fayre! On Sunday 2nd October at the historic Coal Exchange, Wales’ first Vintage Wedding Fayre takes place, organised by Diamanté Magazine. So many of our regular advertisers and contributors enquired over the past two years as to when we would finally put on our first fayre and, with our love of all things vintage, we finally felt it was time to take the plunge. The reaction has been heart warming, with so many new companies joining the Diamanté family.

Bridal Gowns Blue Bridalwear 029 2062 4477 www.bluebridalwear.co.uk Celtic Brides 029 2062 7462 www.celticbridesuk.com Do You Believe 01633 266 348 www.doyoubelieveuk.com Pink Butterﬂy Brides 01656 664 351 www.pinkbutterﬂybrides.co.uk Truly Scrumptious 01656 788 080 www.trulyscrumptiousonline.co.uk

Catering & Cakes Cooke’s Kitchen 01443 687 030 gsgcooke@hotmail.com Cresta Caterers 01685 876 111 www.crestacaterers.co.uk My Beautiful Cake 01633 896 291 www.mybeautifulcake.com Emma Jane’s Cupcake Kitchen 07515 369 443 ejcupcakekitchen@gmail.com Chair Covers & Decorations Platinum Wedding & Event Styling 07791 341 770 / 07772 046 036 www.platinumeventstyling.co.uk

Serene Weddings 029 2067 0883 www.sereneweddings.co.uk Wedding Helpers Chair Covers 01446 781 595 ask@theweddinghelpers.co.uk

Taff Buggy Trails 029 2083 1658 www.adventurewales.co.uk Taskforce Paintball 029 2059 3900 www.taskforcepaintball.co.uk

Florists

Photo Evolution 029 2021 4275 www.photoevolutionuk.com PhotoMitchell 029 2045 2266 www.photomitchell.com

Jewellery

Alison Bentley Flowers 029 2059 1638 www.bentleyﬂowers.com Bella B Design 029 2053 8559 www.bellabdesign.co.uk Village Flower Studio 029 2079 3600 www.villageﬂowerstudio.com Hair & Beauty Boots No7 029 2023 1291 Boots, St David Centre, Cardiff Hair Makeup ‘n’ Manicure 01685 878 995 Chris.Bradwick@btinternet.com Neo Hair Design 029 2061 9636 www.neohairdesign.co.uk

Venues

Northern Star Jewellery 029 2070 9707 www.northernstarjewellery.co.uk Sparkle Fizz 029 2025 7464 www.sparkleﬁzz.com

The Coal Exchange 029 2049 4917 www.coalexchange.co.uk The Old Post Ofﬁce 029 2056 5400 www.theoldpostofﬁcerestaurant. co.uk

Hen & Stag Bay Island Voyages 01446 420 692 www.bayislandvoyages.org.uk Hensol Entertainment 029 2089 2999 www.totalteambuilding.com

Lingerie Leia Lingerie 029 2034 4913 www.leialingerie.com

Menswear Moss Bros 029 2038 8286 St David Centre, Cardiff Photographers & Videographers Dearden Studio 029 2088 8948 www.deardenstudio.co.uk Judith Ree Photography 01443 226 673 www.judithreephotography.com Maria Farrelly Photography 07814 574 462 www.mariafarrelly.com

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Vintage Eagle Eye Vintage 07849 510 117 Loves Vintage China Hire 01656 723 588 laurawalls@fsmail.net Teacake & Vintage 029 2048 8704 angelinesharrison@googlemail.com Vintage Green 07982 236 082 rachelwoolley15@hotmail.com

Wedding Cars Price’s Wedding Cars 01443 201 940 www.pricesweddingcars.co.uk Cool Car Hire 029 2086 1202 coolcarhire@sky.com

BOOK YOUR 2012 OR 2013 WEDDING BY 24TH DECEMBER 2011 & WE WILL HOLD OUR 2011 PRICES!

Manor Parc brings style and elegance to every Wedding A private venue far away from the hustle and bustle allows you to enjoy the gardens and terrace, so all you have to do is relax into your special day. Also licensed to hold your civil ceremony so there is no need to leave the Manor Parc, allowing you to indulge from dusk till dawn.

Purrfect Cats Eyes It’s not surprising that the cat eye is a favourite makeup look for many women. This timeless eyeliner technique is sexy, ﬂattering and dramatic. Fortunately, it’s fairly easy to give yourself this striking look once you learn how to create a cat eye.

1 SELECTING THE RIGHT LINER I find liquid liner the best choice for creating a cat eye, because it results in the most dramatic look. The thin, flexible brush (or pen tip) also gives you the most control. The shorter the pen tip or brush, the more control you’ll have. You might also use a cream or gel liner (usually sold in little pots) and a thin, angled brush. Experiment with both to find out which you prefer. However, I would not recommend a pencil liner for this particular look, as it doesn’t create a dramatic enough line. Note: Normally, I would recommend applying eyeliner last (after eye shadow), but until you master this look, you may want to save your shadow application for the end to avoid smudging and give yourself some room for error.

2 FINDING A GOOD MIRROR

3 GETTING STARTED

Creating a cat eye isn’t that difﬁcult, but it does require both hands, so be sure that you have access to a good, hands-free mirror. I ﬁnd that a magnifying makeup mirror allows me to achieve the best application, but any mirror that you can get fairly close to your face will do.

You may be tempted to apply the liner with your eyes closed, but it’s actually better to keep them open. After all, you want to know what the line is going to look like when your eyes are open, not closed. Start at the inner corner of your eye and drag the brush or pen tip toward the outer corner. I like to start with a thin line as close to the lash line as possible; you can always plump it up later if needed.

4 CREATING THE CAT EYE When you reach the outer corner of your eye, ﬂick your wrist to create the little tail, or wing, that is characteristic of the cat-eye look. Exactly where you place this tail and how long you make it is up to you, but do make sure that both eyes are symmetrical. If I make a mistake and extend one tail too far, I just use a dampened cotton bud to correct it.

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A few of our favourite things It’s almost time to think of a new year. Amazing how fast time ﬂies. Here’s a preview of some of the up and coming trends in bouquets and cakes for the new season. Some are new and exciting and some the same.

“Full-on dessert tables-tables filled with pies,cupcakes, and cookies” Ultra-romantic wedding bouquets will pair beautifully with classically-inspired wedding dresses. Soft colours such as ivory or light pink, and big, plush blooms like peonies, will be adorned with details like pearls. Brights are still popular but, Neutrals will be making a big comeback. Beiges and pale blues being a particular favourite

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The Bear Hotel

• Licensed for civil ceremonies & partnerships • Perfect venue for both small intimate weddings and large banquets • Personal assistance with all of your individual requirements from the day of booking, right through to your Wedding Day • Award winning cuisine (Top scorer for food on Living TV’s ‘Four Weddings’ series 2!) and catering for up to 200 guests • Fantastic photo opportunities at the Physic Gardens and Hotel Courtyards • Complimentary Bridal Suite for the Bride & Groom for the night of the wedding • Discounted accommodation available for your guests • Quaint market town location, just 20 minutes from Cardiff City Centre • Ample Free Parking Quote ‘Diamante’ to be entered in to our

FREE prize draw to win a Night’s Stay Bed and Breakfast For Two

Say I do ... at The Bear “The ultimate choice for your perfect day” Town & Country Hotels

The Bear Hotel High St, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7AF 01446 774814 enquiries@bearhotel.com www.bearhotel.com

Studio at 62 Brecon Road, Merthyr Tydfil

Tel: 01685 376599 www.cakeforalloccasions.com

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Cooke’s Kitchen Wedding Cakes & Celebration Cakes

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from Traditional to Modern

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Huge choice of

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Designs & Flavours

CUPCAKE DESIGNS 01443 687030 csgcooke@hotmail.com Tel:

Email:

158 Brithweunydd Road, Trealaw, Tonypandy, CF40 2UH

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The Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel

• Be our only Bride of the Day • Red Carpet • Toastmaster • Cake Stand & Knife • Extensive gardens providing an excellent backdrop for wedding photographs • Complimentary overnight accommodation for the Bride & Groom • Award winning 2 rosette restaurant Quote ‘Diamante 5’ to be entered in to our

FREE prize draw to win a Night’s Stay Bed and Breakfast For Two

Celebrate with us “The ultimate choice for your perfect day” Town & Country Hotels

The Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel Coychurch Bridgend CF35 6AF 01656 860621 hotel@coed-y-mwstwr.com www.coed-y-mwstwr.com

Every brides dream is to make her wedding day special, Aspirations Florists turns those dreams into reality with absolutely stunning floral arrangements

Stunning Bouquets and Floral Arrangements for all Occassions 9 High Street, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, CF62 7DZ.

Tel: 01446 738610 Mobile: 07743 358034 www.aspirationsflorists.co.uk

photograph by www.sallyuphillphotography.co.uk

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The New House Country Hotel

• Unrivalled views across Cardiff and the Vale • Complimentary bridal suite for the night of the wedding • Discounted accommodation rate for wedding guests on the night of the wedding • Complimentary toastmaster • Bespoked wedding service • 4 star hotel • Free parking • Beautiful grounds • Dedicated wedding team • Award winning cuisine • Licensed for civil ceremonies • Marquee • Easy to reach location – 4 miles outside the city centre • Personal service touch • Able to cater for small intimate wedding parties as well as large celebrations Quote ‘Diamante 5’ to be entered in to our

FREE prize draw to win a Night’s Stay Bed and Breakfast For Two

Memories are made by us “The ultimate choice for your perfect day” Town & Country Hotels

The Best Western New House Country Hotel Thornhill Cardiff CF14 9UA 02920 520280 enquiries@newhousehotel.com www.newhousehotel.com

ISSUE 7 AUTUMN 2011 COMPLIMENTARY COPY

GROOM STYLING Hot looks for

2012 FINISHING TOUCHES GREAT ACCESSORIES

Venue Advice Tips for a great reception

MALE FASHION New Season Looks

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WELCOME With Summer now a distant memory, this issue we’ll look at everything you’ll need to consider for the Autumn/Winter Wedding. You may be of the opinion that your job was complete when the ring went on her ﬁnger. Think again! As a modern man, you should take some more involvement or you may end up entering married life behind the 8 ball, and forever be under the thumb. From our groomsmen and fashion guides for the big day, to getting the most from your reception venue, our contributors have helped us help you. So, as ever, congratulations in advance of the happy occasion and don’t forget, it’s your big day too!

Alison Tucker & All The Team Front cover picture courtesy of Jake Morely.

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A look at the options when it comes to grooms men attire, whether purchasing or hiring. Accessories for the discerning gent, in classic Red & Black, perfect for the season.

Keeping you looking great with the latest and best grooming products. Six of the newest and best men’s fragrances. Our guide to some of the best local businesses able to give you the best start to married life.

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Autumn/Winter 2011 men’s fashion guide, the latest in what to wear.

�� Alison Amrita Tucker alison@citypublications.co.uk

�� Julie Veronica Jones

�� Adrian Stone & Paul Ferguson 029 2045 0532 info@citypublications.co.uk

�� Tom Freese & Daniel Craig studio@citypublications.co.uk

�� Read our magazines using innovative page turning software. www.diamantebridal.co.uk www.welsh-life.co.uk coming soon: www.decadencemagazine.com

�� Manning’s Menswear Etiquette Dior Homme Armani Vivienne Westwood Jeffery West Ted Baker Paul Smith Charles Tyrwhitt

To buy or not to buy? Whether hiring or purchasing the outﬁt for your big day, making the right selection is most important. Here, we’ll look at both options and hopefully provide some ideas that you’ll ﬁnd useful. To Hire

To Buy

Celebrating 20 years in 2012, Philip Thomas of Manning’s Menswear in Treorchy continues to provide a highly experienced & professional service to many customers. Below are some of their Dyfed Menswear ranges, available locally.

Marc Wallace has been challenging the direction of menswear since 1998. Renowned worldwide for his handmade suits and luxury accessories, the label continues to drive forward with passion and inspiration at its heart.

SEERSUCKER RUST 2-PIECE SUIT £695 Ivory Shirt £75 Floral Tie £49

MOHAIR AUBERGINE 2-PIECE SUIT £795 Matching Waistcoat £165 Green Tie £39

Dyfed menswear

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Red Hot

Here’s a few inspirations to bring alive your outﬁt for the big day, whether attending as a guest or even the main man! Although we suggest you run it past the missus, as you don’t want to clash.

Dior Homme Chiffre Rouge An exquisitely sexy timepiece if ever there was one. Masculine, efﬁcient and able to make a statement without uttering a word, Dior again impress us. Shown here in the D02 model, also available in brushed stainless steel. Available at www.diorhorlogerie.com

Leadenhall Red Silk Cravat Available in various colours at www.leadenhalluk.com

Peter Werth Black & Red Leather Wallet Available at various outlets and online.

Emporio Armani Red Boxers Available at House of Fraser.

McQ by Alexander McQueen Available at www.my-wardrobe.com

Jeffery West Wing Brogue This smart brogue, with punched detail and patent ﬁnish is the ideal partner to a stylish, nonpatterned suit. Mark Jeffery & Guy West have been pushing the boundaries of men’s footwear for over 2 decades, and have never failed to impress. Available at various stores and online.

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Denison Boston Ruby Polo Cufﬂinks Available at www.pure-man.com

“A Perfect Car, for your

Perfect Day”......

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Head to Toe Styling Tips

Looking great is never more important than on your big day, when hundreds of photographs will be taken and saved for eternity. We’ve all laughed at others, and secretly wish not to have to endure the same ourselves. Follow some of the simple advice below and you’ll proudly display mementoes forevermore. HAIR Jellyﬁsh Frozen Firm Styling Gel – Extra ﬁrm hold combined with an ice cold minty blast, you can either punk it up or go for the sleek look. 150ml. R.R.P. £5.99 - Available at Boots

SHAVING AZOR 5 Sensitive by King of Shaves – 5 Endurium nano blades suitable for sensitive skin, alloy handle for a comfortable grip and dexterous control. R.R.P. £5.39 Available at various outlets

FACE Trevor Sorbie – Mg Facial Wash is a soap-free formula which gently cleanses the skin, removing excess oil and dirt, leaving the skin feeling conditioned and the beard softened for a smoother shave.. R.R.P. £4.99 available from Boots FRAGRANCE Ted Baker Pashion – Masculine to the core, it conveys a sense of reﬁned sophistication that will serve to enhance your style. 75ml. R.R.P. £45.00 - Available at select outlets

WAXING Parissa® Strip-Free Hot Wax – Waxing without the need for strips or high temperatures, so cleaner and safer. Just spread onto skin, then peel when cooled. 120g. R.R.P. £8.99 Available at Boots

BODY Origins for men Skin Diver Charcoal Body Scrub – Lather up and let active Bamboo Charcoal go deep to remove debris and blockages from under the skin. 150ml. R.R.P. £14.00 Available at House of Fraser

FEET Peppermint Cooling Pumice Foot Scrub – Volcanic pumice in a peppermint gel, designed to exfoliate the feet, with chilling menthol to leave the skin feeling refreshed. 100ml. R.R.P. £7.00 Available at The Body Shop

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Eau De Groom

With all the stresses and pressures of your big day, to keep smelling great can be a challenge. Here, we’ll look at some of the hottest new fragrances out there and hopefully help you stay scent-sational! D&G – The One Gentleman The One Gentleman, fronted by actor Matthew McConaughey has an understated oriental note, conceived to attract a sophisticated and conﬁdent consumer; the notes include pepper, lavender, fennel, cardamom, patchouli and vanilla.

Tom Ford for Men The scent unfolds with unexpected ﬂoral ingredients. Tunisian Orange Flower Absoulte reveals potent sensuality. An infusion of Black Pepper and Tabacco Leaf Absolute invokes distinctive intensity. The ﬁnal impression is rich and exotic.

Hugo Boss – Just Different The vibrant and cooling fragrance exhilarates the senses with a fusion of the unexpected and the bracing, from Icy Mint to aromatic Basilic. Where its predecessor is bright, Just Different is warm and embracing, which is perfect for the urban night.

Marc Jacobs – Bang Bang A fresh elegant woody fragrance, Marc Jacobs Bang Bang is a dynamic and signature scent. The refreshing citrus top feels cool and light on skin. The masculine heart is wrapped with sandalwood, and the base lingers with rich cashmere musk, leaving a touch of comfortable sophistication.

CK One – SHOCK for him A sparkling, energetic oriental with smooth spice and a masculine tobacco musk. This elixir opens with pure freshness-juicy clementine and a crisp cucumber layer. The heart pulsates with black pepper and cardamom spiced with black basil.

Hermès – Terre d’Hermès Terre D’Hermes is for the man who is a poet by nature, someone who sees the extraordinary in the ordinary. This is for the man who has his feet ﬁrmly on the ground, but his head is in the stars. Terre D’Hermès contains a large amount of woody notes, including Atlas cedar, effervescent orange, pepper and geranium leaves.

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Perfect Reception After the ceremony and the never ending toing and froing, you’ll be ready to retreat to an atmosphere suitable for the occasion. Although the Bride often puts her foot down on the details, some of the touches below will allow you to have some input. RN f. BEST WESTE the venue itsel is outside, e d nc an ly rta al po rn both inte ng Of primary im ni un st a, Sp styling. Hotel & corations and Cwrt Bleddyn for creative de as nv ca ct rfe the pe

Alison Bentley & her team pro vide contemporary and classic ﬂoral designs, ideal for any venue.

Serene Weddings offer a veritable onestop-shop when it comes to your reception requirements. Their table decor and stationery packages complement any vintage or retro theme chosen.

www.bentleyﬂowers.com

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yn.c www.cwrtbledd

g, along with her Emma Jenkins of E.J. Caterin able to cater for the chefs and waiting staff, are ring “an edible offe , most discerning of diners ”. ons orgy of taste sensati

Edible favours from Cocoa & Co, delightfully presented in gorgeous boxes, perfect for thanking your guests.

www.sereneweddings.co.uk

www.cocoandco.co.uk

Phil Dando’s 15 piece sw ing band, ab seats and in le to get gues to the party ts of all ages mood. up

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DIAMANTÉ POUR HOMME www.diamantebridal.co.uk

Cat’s Claw Ceilidh Band

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A fun way to get everyone to join in on your wedding party - or any occasion! For information and bookings contact: Guy Bowden: 01633 441399 guy@cats-claw.co.uk www.cats-claw.co.uk

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Create the perfect atmosphere with live music for your wedding ceremony & reception

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Classical to Modern Popular Music For more information please visit www.thestringquartetcompany.co.uk Tel: 029 2051 5423/029 2013 7750 enq@thestringquartetcompany.co.uk

Courtesy of Leah Photography

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Cool Car Hire Classic VW Wedding Hire in South Wales

“ California Dreaming on a winters day ”

2011

9th Oct. De Courceys Manor, Tyla Morris Ave, Pentyrch, CF15 9QN Tel: 029 2089 2232

13th Nov. Novotel Schooner Way, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10 4RT Tel: 029 2047 5000

16th Oct. Copthorne Hotel Cardiff, Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff, CF5 6DH Tel: 029 2059 9100

20th Nov. Marriot Hotel Swansea, Maritime Quarter, SA1 3SS Tel: 01792 642020

23rd Oct. Cwrt Bleddyn Hotel & Spa, 27th Nov. The Towers Hotel & Spa, Usk, Monmouthshire NP15 1PG Jersey Marine, Swansea, SA10 6JL Tel: 01633 450521 Tel: 01792 814155 30th Oct. Hilton Newport Hotel, Chepstow Rd, Langstone, NP18 2LX Tel: 01633 413737 We at Cool Car Hire provide a choice of classic VW vehicles to hire which surely add that retro touch to your special day. We offer a friendly reliable chauffeur driven service together with a choice of car decorations, a complimentary bottle of bubbly and one other thing that is deﬁnitely guaranteed; a lot of turned heads Contact us for further details Call: 02920 861202 Email: Coolcarhire@sky.com Web: www.balloonsbybev.co.uk Find us on Facebook !

6th Nov. Park Inn Cardiff, Mary Ann Street, CF10 2JH Tel: 029 2034 1441 13th Nov. Heritage Park Hotel, Coed Cae Rd, Pontypridd, CF37 2NP Tel: 01443 687057 All fayres are open from 11am-4pm unless otherwise stated. Please check our website below. Admission free, plus free goody bag.

CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA FAYRE 4th Dec. Llechwen Hall, Llanfabon, Mid-Glam, CF37 4HP. Tel: 01443 742050 Please register on-line to be eligible for discounts from our exhibitors, who make offers from time to time.

Tel: 01495 238425 / 07958 050171 Email: info@cjweddingfayres.co.uk Website: www.cjweddingfayres.co.uk

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Our 16th century manor house is the perfect setting for your dream wedding... Grand, intimate, stylish and as romantic as you could wish for. With intimate packages starting from just £1,000 and our unique totally inclusive 28 day package for £3,999 - why wait? Create your perfect magical winter wonderland. Our fantastic winter package for this year is only £5,100 and includes 12 complimentary bedrooms If you plan to marry abroad, we also offer exclusive party packages for your return We welcome you to make an appointment to visit and to discuss your personal requirements with us Please contact our wedding co-ordinator Alison Clark View full details of all our packages on www.cwrtbleddyn.co.uk

01633 450521

weddings@cwrtbleddyn.co.uk

www.cwrtbleddyn.co.uk

Homme Fashion

With the seasons passing through Autumn and into Winter, this issue we’ll look at what to wear that is both current and befitting the occasion. From the latest suit styling trends to the slightly less formal for the evening reception, here you can pick and choose inspirations from the Autumn Winter collections for your ideal outfit. The coming season is seeing the gradual move away from the slim fit and the introduction of baggy pleats in trousers and layers and dropped shoulders to jackets and outerwear. Combinations of similarly hued colours, accessorised with contrasting scarves, adventurous overcoats and daring accessories. JACKETS & BLAZERS Armani

Tonello Sports Jacket Cotton/Linen mix Navy sports jacket, great when combined with chinos or smart denim. With the plain colour of the jacket, you can get adventurous with the shirt you pick; Striped or Jacquard highly recommended.

Paul Smith Velvet Jacket Slim tailored velvet jacket in a deep maroon, ﬁnished with metallic buttons, with two pockets to the right hand side. Perfect with pinstriped slim ﬁtting trousers and a plain shirt, white or pastel shades.

Armani Velvet Blazer Stunning Grey/Silver Blazer with step lapel and press stud fastenings. Teamed with medium grey jersey shirt, matching trousers and chenille zip cardigan. Not just elegant, but effective and stylish.

SHIRTS

Vivienne Westwood Confidently exploring differences, these two shirts show finishes that can be achieved without pushing boundaries too far. The white option perfectly suits pretty much any trouser/jacket combo whilst the blue with red detail is ideal for the plain blazer that needs a finishing touch.

Charles Tyrwhitt Elegant dress shirt, cut to be slim ﬁtting and therefore great for showing off some body deﬁnition. Keep any ties or scarves to neutral colours, as the blue of the shirt deserves to not be overpowered.

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Calvin Klein

Perry Ell is

ACNE Studios

s ACNE Studio

Gucci

Rag & Bone

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R RWEA OUTE

SUITS