HARROGATE HIGHLIGHTS

EMMA HARTLEY EMMA HARTLEY BRIDALWEAR

1 Meeting up with our wonderful reps and designers who greeted us with hugs and Prosecco. 2 Team Emma Hartley together for the first time in months. Those girls had me in hysterics all day.

During lunch they told me how appreciated they all felt, and I told them how much their support had helped me during the past 18 months. This led to a lovely spontaneous group hug, which was a very special moment. 3 Being VIPs, it was so nice to be able to take a break whenever we needed and the refreshments were very much appreciated. 4 We found a stunning jumpsuit on Casablanca Bridal, which we are super excited about. (BL375 Willow ) 5 At Randy Fenoli, we found and loved Charlie, with its detachable ethereal cape. 6 Nicola Anne excelled herself with a gorgeous range of jackets and overskirts. We absolutely loved the

Impulsive shrug and Francie skirt. 7 Also at Nicola Anne, we couldn’t resist the gorgeous dress appropriately called Bohemia. It had the dreamiest detachable sleeves and we think our brides are going to fall head over heels in love. 8 We loved the new designs from The Empty box, and were starry eyed over the new solar design. 9 My girls love hair accessories and couldn’t resist trying them all on! We chose some stunners from

Richards Designs. CP367 and CP359 stood out as perfect to match the dresses we had ordered. 10 The drinks reception. Chatting to our industry chums before the fabulous fashion show was the perfect end to a very enjoyable and successful buying trip.

HARROGATE HIGHLIGHTS

We asked five retailers who regularly contribute to Wedding Trader what made this Harrogate Bridal Show truly special. This is what they had to say...

C359 BY RICHARD DESIGNS

CHRISTINE SKILTON LOVE YOU FOREVER

1 Taking part in the Bridal Buyer’s Advice Clinic.

2 The Maggie Sottero stand and fashion show.

4 Meeting up with Get Savvy members.

5 Meeting up in person rather than on Zoom.

6 The Harrogate hustle and bustle. . 7 Sign-up of a very exciting, private label new designer.

8 Taking a picture with a McLaren supercar.

9 Seeing my daughter having fun showing off her catwalk skills.

10 Having a ‘Five Guys’ burger for the first time!

SHARON M c PHERSON OPUS ATELIER AND OPUS COUTURE

1 Taking my staff to the runways, instead of making them happen.

2 We went to buy square necklines / long sleeves / and plain fabrics. Tick.

3 Meeting good friends, getting good advice, and sharing industry stories, with Prosecco.

4 Finding the finer details for our brides.

1 Daisy by Mark Lesley, with its little capped puff sleeve and beautiful daisy lace. Sleeves are going to be big next season.

2 Winnie from the Rebecca Ingram collection, a oneshouldered gown with soft lace beaded appliqués.

3 Norivana by Sottero & Midgley, incredible in black, ivory and nude… the ultimate in a statement gown.

4 Andrea by Eliza Jane Howell… the beadwork on this gown is insane.

5 Meeting up with friends, of course – it was lovely seeing all the members of the RBA at their drinks event, after months of seeing so many of them on Zoom. Saying hello to Hayley from the Bridal

Collection and Becky from Bromley Brides.

6 The bespoke hangers from Hanger World – we’ve just to count how many we need, and we shall be placing our order.

7 Twilight new headpieces and veils.

8 Meeting David Emanuel. We had a very long chat with him about bridal; such an interesting man to talk to.

He signed my Diana book, and I was very touched that he did.

9 The only thing we didn’t have time for was to go round the show, it was a fleeting visit, but it was good to be back.

10 Can I also say a big thank you to Jenny and Kirsty from

Maggie Sottero; they know why.

SEE THAT BEADWORK Fabulous, and as only Eliza Jane Howell can do SLEEVE STORY Daisy, from the Mark Lesley collection, is a real star. So much detail

MARIA MUSGROVE THE PANTILES BRIDE

1 Texture: Lots of lovely 3d applique on skirts. We’d seen this with Suzanne Neville back in June and at

Harrogate with Jesus Peiro and with Amsale. Lovely appliqué on organza - very feminine and dreamy.

2 Customisation: Many brides want to make changes to their gown eg longer/shorter train, and Maggie Sottero have recently introduced a personalisation programme and this was showcased at Harrogate.

3 Marina from Paul Zeni excels at her bespoke offering taking it one step further with changes in necklines, raising lowering the back and a full made to measure service. Awesome at her pricepoint and very reasonable prices for the changes making for a good mark up even on changes, and yet still affordable for the bride.

4 Diversity: Many more plus sizes on offer particularly impressed with Bridal Collective.

5 Sleeves: Lots of them from lacy and long to floaty and full. No brand springs to mind at Harrogate but the week after we were blown away by Sassi Holford’s

‘Love Conquers All’ 2022 collection showcased at her

Fulham Road boutique.

6 Square necklines: Jesus Peiro’s were standout square necklines, to add to those seen with Suzanne Neville’s

Nova collection,

7 Second dresses: Bring it on. Let’s sell two gowns to the same bride, and not because she’s gone off her first, or doesn’t fit it after the Covid kilos, or the

Lockdown Baby!

8 Amsale’s Little White Dress collection had some great pieces retailing around £150 to £300. My ‘off button’ was that they sell online, so I took a rain check!

9 Veils: The longer and the more appliquéd the better, and all adding to the average spend per bride! Richard

Designs, as always, had some great pieces.

JESUS PEIRO

Dare to be diff erent.

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