Pepe Botella opened his first shop selling ceremonial and bridal wear in Alicante 36 years ago. From the outset, he sought to depart from the austerity of the traditional bridal gown, focusing on freedom of expression with bold styles and innovative fabrics. In 1980 he presented his first collection and went on to achieve wide critical acclaim.

After 20 years at the helm, it was time for his daughter to show she had inherited her father’s talent. Lucia Botella spent her childhood surrounded by dresses at the family’s studio. After honing her skills and completing an apprenticeship observing her father, she presented her first collection in 2000. Drawing on endless sources of inspiration from 1950′s glamour to haute couture to beach life, Lucia has proved herself a fearless innovator, continuously moving the brand forward.

Now positioned at the avant-garde of bridal design this Spanish powerhouse produces 2 bridal collections per year: the Gaudi collection for press and the Mainline collection.
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Vera Wang’s gorgeous 2012 collection isn’t available until October but for two days only you will have the chance to preview and try her newest designs.

The Trunk Show dates are the 29th & 30th of July at Browns Bride.

To make an appointment contact verawang@brownsfashion.com or call 0207 514 0090

There is a £30 charge redeemable against any purchase

Vera Wang For Browns Bride
59 Brook Street
London
W1

For a low key hens night why not get all your girls round for a Girls Night In. I have picked out all the best music, dvds, drinks and snacks for the ultime Girly night!

The DVDs…

Sex & The City Shoe Box Set Seasons 1-6
No girls night in would be complete without a Sex & The City DVD session, weather you sit through disc after disc or pick out your favourite classic episodes, this is a must-have box set for your girly night in.
£70
www.amazon.co.uk

Friends 15th Anniversary Complete Collection Seasons 1-10
Another classic box set of course is Friends, this 15th Anniversary collection has every single episode on 40 discs, so get ready for a serious back to back Friendsathon!
£54.97

www.amazon.co.uk

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Set in beautiful countryside at the foot of the Blackstairs Mountains, the Castle is the ancient home of the Durdin-Robertsons and is presently lived in by four generations of the family. The latest generation have very recently relocated from London and are keen to revitalise Huntington Castle with innovative ideas and initiatives.

“It’s all about sharing this wonderful building with people who will appreciate its character and history” says Clare Durdin-Robertson who until recently lived in Battersea with her husband Alexander.
“We want to open up the Castle,” adds Alexander “whether it’s a wedding party or a painting course, we want people to come and enjoy themselves, where they can be sure of a warm welcome as well as a totally unique experience.”

Huntington is only 60 miles from Dublin, yet it feels like a different world. The Castle has been lovingly restored and boasts a stunning bridal suite as well as a self- catering flat – perfect for the bride and her entourage to prepare for the big day.

The venue is licensed to hold marriages on the premises. But for couples wanting a church service, there are two churches within a mile.

The beautiful grounds are perfect for photographs and a 17th Century barn theatre in the courtyard makes a wonderfully stylish dining experience for guests, surrounded by history and heritage.

To find out more visit www.huntingtoncastle.com

Last week I attended the launch party for online boutique Olivier Laudus’ (www.olivierlaudus.com) first consultation studio. The studio is based downstairs at the award-winning hair salon Jordan Burr (www.jordanburr.com) and enjoys an enviable Central London location, just a few minutes’ walk from Bond Street tube. Brides to be are able to book appointments to discuss their accessory requirements and more importantly view and try pieces on from the Olivier Laudus online boutique.

Stylish and chic and keeping with the Olivier Laudus brand’s contemporary feel, the studio is decorated with flock wallpaper with a black and cream theme and provides a lovely backdrop for the consultations and has been well received by brides.
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Johanna Hehir has established herself over the past ten years as one of London’s leading bridal designers. Her signature style is clean, unfussy, classic cuts with romantic detailing utilizing the best quality European silks and laces.

Johanna is recognised as one of the UK’s most innovative and talented designers and her collections reflect the ever changing nature of the bridal market and the varied tastes and venues of today’s brides.

She recently showed her new 2012 collection on the catwalk at the new international White Gallery Bridal Fair in London and wowed the crowds with her fresh, innovative designs, which perfectly capture the “modern classic” aesthetic, to which today’s brides aspire.

Johanna Hehir offers a well marketed and diverse range of styles, which are designed to appeal to most tastes and budgets, from her central London salon in Marylebone.

She is now stocked by a growing number of bridal retailers in both the UK and abroad with new international stockists in Greece, the Republic of Ireland and as of this year, several Johanna Hehir designs are available at Kleinfeld, the most prestigious bridal store in New York City.

You can view the collection at www.johanna-hehir.co.uk

Matthew Williamson’s first range of bridal wear is inspired by iconic styles within our ready to wear collections from the past twelve years.

Occasion wear pieces have always been a staple category within Matthew Williamson’s ready to wear collections and have often been worn by customers for weddings in the past and so a full bridal range was  a natural extension.

Signature styles have been reworked and translate into perfect bridal gowns that will appeal to both the classic and contemporary bride.

The starting point for the collection has been to capture the essence of the brand and all its signature elements demonstrating a feeling of luxury and opulence. Each garment features a high level of craftsmanship evident in the gentle forms of the silhouettes, the use of fine embroidery, ornate beading and luxurious natural fabrics.

Long and short corset column gowns give a lean silhouette and structure and are then softened with an artfully draped overlay of soft ivory tulle. Hand sewn ivory feathers strewn across the tulle creates an enchanting ethereal effect.
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