Get Waisted on the Red Carpet

As we move remorselessly towards the festive season (who am I kidding, I can't wait), I just thought I would help get you in the mood by showing a few 'early birds' who have been wearing Get Waisted at recent events.

Clockwise from top left - Chelsey Baker, Sam & Eddie Kidd, Queen Allen & Chelsey (again!)

To give credit where it is due in the above picture we have the beautiful entrepreneur and life coach Chelsey Baker who recently found time to present the International Filmaker Festival of World Cinema awards all while finishing her new book 'The Pocket Mentor'. Staying in the media world, it was great to see the talented Queen Allen recognised for her work in the BEFFTA awards - pictured wearing a glamorous gown at the prestigious event held at the Hippodrome on 27 October. And last but most certainly not least, Sammi Kidd accompanying her husband Eddie to 'The Palace' where he received the OBE he was awarded in the Queens Birthday Honours list for his tireless efforts to charitable giving. Anyone who saw Eddie complete the London marathon will know 'tireless' does not begin to cover it.

So, if you want something to wow them at your event - or just get the 'perfect' dress in every way - size, shape, fabric, colour... which, of course you can't find in 'the shops' - call me now. I look forward to discussing your requirements (lots of fun in itself)!


All you need to do is call Toni on 07947 497342 or email Toni@getwaisted.co.uk and Get Waisted would be delighted to help.

Get Waisted for 15% less!

At the risk of you throwing things at your laptop/phone/tablet or even PC, I am going to refer to the 'C' word. With less than 12 weeks to Christmas (sorry, won't do it again) now is the right time to think about 'that outfit'. Whether you are looking to wow them at the office party, put a distant relative in his or her place or just make hubby look twice; you could do no better than to get into a dress that is made to satisfy your every whim. It costs much less than you might think and, until November 1st, Get Waisted is offering 15% off all commissions.

So, what to use for inspiration? Well, I have been glued to the 'fashion season' and checking out the New York, Paris, London and Milan Fashion Weeks in particular I have been struck by the number of designers going for a neat, classic look featuring a belted or 'nipped in waist' for both trousers/jacket combos and dresses.

YSL & Dior at New York 2012

The looks presented this year by Saint Laurent and Dior are a good example of how you can take something classic and bring it right up to date for 2012. What's more they are pretty and wearable too.

It is no secret that here at Get Waisted we are big fans of the 1950's look and how it flatters.  These tailored designs make the most of your shape (whatever it is) and are guaranteed to turn heads too!

So email me now on toni@getwaisted.co.uk with your ideas and requirements - and don't forget to ask for your discount!

Toni.

London Fashion Week - Feed the Beast

So, here we are again. New York Fashion Week is in full swing and London gets under way this week. I am really looking forward to seeing catwalk shows for Anya Hindmarch and Louise Gray as well sampling the 'Off-schedule' shows of Jena Theo and Sabina Bryntesson...and as for the after parties..well it would be rude not to wouldn't it?

And just in case you are thinking 'who really cares?', here's a few numbers. Fashion is worth between  £25 and £35 billion (yes billion) to the UK economy. London Fashion Week (LFW) alone contributes £20 million to the London economy and with over 25 years of history is one of the highest profile events in the world. So it is hardly surprising that some major brands want to get on board.

What may be a surprise is just who those brands are. Vodafone is an LFW headline sponsor, Mercedes uses fashion as part of its global marketing platform sponsoring events in over 30 countries and this year Kinder Bueno is heavily involved with the consumer facing London Fashion Weekend (rather than the trade oriented LFW). Marketing Week had a fascinating insight (if you're into these things) into the thinking behind these associations - essentially all are trying to reach out to their target audiences some of whom (women!) have been under-represented in previous deals (esp. Mercedes and Vodafone).

Enough of the business - what's hot? Well from the look of the collections presented for SS2013 in New York we are going to be seeing a lot of prints. I think this is great - you can indulge your inner girlie or go for a vibrant tribal (all the while staying 'on trend' - should you care to do so). Just take a look at this photomontage to see what I mean.

Perhaps the biggest surprise - FLAT SHOES EVERYWHERE. And I mean everywhere. Victoria Beckham, Marc Jacobs and Carolina Herrera were just a few all using catwalk models in flats - who knew? Perhaps we get to look good and feel comfortable too.

At Get Waisted we are really looking forward to picking this one up. There are some wonderful fabrics out there and you don't have to look like a Masai warrior (unless you want to) - just take a little inspiration. All you need to do is call Toni on 07947 497342 or email Toni@getwaisted.co.uk and Get Waisted would be delighted to help.

Lots of love,

Toni

Leather & Lace - femininity with an edge

Givenchy Fall/Winter 2012/2013

It seems like many of the major fashion houses have returned to leather this season. But you don't have to run shy - or be afraid of coming over all 'Hell's Angel'. Just take a look at Givenchy Fall/Winter 2012 2013

Of course, if you do subscribe to the 'if I'm going to do it I'm going the whole 'Hog' (see what I did there Harley fans?) then go no further than Belstaff - and you will be sticking up for Britain, looking stylish and 'hanging tough' all at the same time!

 Items from the Belstaff collection 2012

Still using lots of leather but with a softer take you could try the looks (right) presented by Givenchy and Hermes at Paris Fashion Week - 2012 (if the purse stretches that is).







As for here chez Get Waisted we are happy to take commissions - in leather, lace or a combination. Perhaps test the water with a waist cinch or corset belt or try and hang on to summer with the full lacy number.

Whatever you predilection - Get Waisted can help.

Love,

Toni.

Made in Britain

Do you remember when all sorts of manufacturers proudly displayed a 'Made in Britain' label on their goods? The answer is, if you are under 30, then probably not...but why...and are we seeing a reversal of the trend?

Back in 2011 we saw a campaign to adopt a new logo to proudly proclaim goods as British made (following a competition won by Cynthia Lee at Nottingham University). Since then all sorts of people from Ed Milliband to Mary Portas have been keen to show their support. More importantly over 600 manufacturers have now signed up.

Moving to my particular 'oevre', how is this being reflected in the fashion industry? It is clear that British fashion design and designers have a major place on the world stage yet it is increasingly difficult to find clothes exclusively made in Britain. Still Made In Britain is a site dedicated to promoting goods still manufactured in Britain. It is still possible to find a number of companies making clothes that are traditional or 'country' based - Original Montgomery is an example (and about as traditional as it gets - established in 1890 and chosen by the British Admiralty to make the first duffle coats). But you have to dig deeper to find many newer enterprises - especially of any scale.

In fact, at last there does seem to be something of a 'seachange' - to continue the metaphor. During the first of this years London Fashion Weeks there was a distinct focus on British manufacturing. Mulberry (right) has received £2.5mil to build a new factory in Somerset and Sir Philip Green argued for manufacturers to support Britain.

Research suggests this makes commercial sense. 67% of consumers want to see an 'official seal of approval' like the logo shown at the top of this blog and 52% want to see more manufacturing in the UK. As costs rise in China and other parts of the far east an increasing number of manufacturers both within and beyond clothing, are questioning the location of their manufacturing facilities.

For the sake of our young aspiring designers and entrepreneurs as well as the future of jobs for our young people and the economy in general, let's hope we can sustain this trend and create an environment where it is not just an emotional decision but a sound commercial one to locate manufacturing facilities in this country.

A Get Waisted creation - photography by Tristan at Apix Photography

At Get Waisted everything is made here in the UK. In fact even our suppliers of source fabrics and accessories are overwhelmingly UK based - often with a real heritage of their own. Your support is really appreciated. Of course, if you are thinking about a new, special dress why not go bespoke, buy British and Get Waisted!

Love,

Toni.

Fit bodies with style

OK, I know everyone is jumping on the Olympic bandwagon to establish some kind of link with their business and hopefully boost sales. But, especially here in London and the south-east it really is particularly hard to ignore. So, here goes.

You really don't have to have the body of an Olympic athlete to look good - even in modern fashions (not that it hurts) and give me this look rather than the emaciated waifs and strays we sometimes see on the catwalk.

Just to make the point take a look at the pictures below...is there really any question?

 And this is without using some of the more gratuitous imagery of (admittedly beautiful) athletes all around us right now.

Given the lead times on these things fashion has been taking its cue from the athletic world for a while now. At  New York Fashion Week back in March both Altazzarra and Alexander Wang took athletic aesthetics to influence their 2012 Spring/Summer collections.

 

From left Altuzzarra and two from Alexander Wang at NY Fashion Week

And so to Get Waisted. How are we interpreting the 'Athletic Look'? Well, frankly I let Nike, Adidas and the like do the tracksuit/trainer chic. So it is with a rather lighter touch and casting the net a little wider that we tread. How about the sailing events for example? Here are a few examples that would definitely be at home in Weymouth - the venue for the Olympic sailing events -  (now there's a town you don't often get mentioned in the same breath as high fashion) over the next few weeks.

All images courtesy Tristan Glinski - http://www.apix-photography.com/

 Get Waisted - style, fashion and fun with a nod to the Olympics too. What more could you want?

Sit back, enjoy the sun and watch all those other people straining every sinew to win a medal.

Toni.

"Great Corset Giveaway" - don't miss your chance

Great news - we are almost at our initial target for twitter followers and as promised we will do a draw for a fabulous corset from the Get Waisted collection when we get there.  With less than ten new followers to go it could be any time so don't miss out - follow us now (and don't forget to check us out on Facebook too).

And in other news.....picture of the Eco Dress for the Miss England Pageant and Video from when "Get Waisted Set Sail".

Get Waisted Set Sail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alyse Louisa Spratt in dress made from a recycled surf-kite

 

 

 

And finally,

Look out for pictures of our new 'mini-collection featured in the video. Sign up for the newsletter now.

"Be elegant or die"

OK - the title quote (Louisa May Alcott) may be a bit strong! However, we are seeing a real trend to abandoning minimalism this summer. A number of designers have chosen to really embrace femininity this summer. Check out Louis Vuitton in a sort of girly floral meets '60's psychedelia mash-up.Then there are 'vegetable prints at Dolce & Gabbana and a beautiful use of lattice-work  by London Designer Peter Pilotto...yummy!

Peter Pilotto

Louis Vuitton

Dolce & Gabbana

Perhaps my favourite of the 'on-trend' looks is the creative use of applique - one of the best is this creation embodying both floral and applique from D&G. 

At Get Waisted we have our own take on elegance with the following creations using the latest floral, lace and applique design trends.

The bottom line is there are no rights and wrongs. However, it is reassuring to see so many pretty, wearable designs out there for summer. Maybe this has inspired you to expand your wardrobe - if so you know where to come...Get Waisted

Fashion Weeks - Because they're worth it?

This week I registered to attend London Fashion Week and took a look at what was on offer closer to home at Brighton Fashion Week . However, rather than review the wonders of creativity on show (I am a fan, have run my own catwalk at Brighton Fashion Week and just LOVE London) I set to musing on the value of these events. It's all great fun - but is it important and to whom? Perhaps it is just a navel gazing exercise for fashionistas with little real relevance to the 'real world'.

So, I thought I would try and find out some facts and figures - not normally my forte but, hey, variety is the spice of life (apparently). This is easier for the big events - so let's take a look at London first. Apparently LFW contributes over £20mil to the London economy and generates orders in the region of £100mil. There are visitors from over 25 countries. So, you don't have to care about fashion to appreciate the value.

London is one of the 'Big 4' - the others being New York, Milan and Paris all of which run in the same order each year and each of which has its own character. New York is 'sporty', London edgy, Milan just totally OTT and Paris the home of Haute Couture. However, that doesn't mean that these are the only places vying for a place on the fashion ladder of fame. Indeed there are over 40 Fashion weeks around the world in places as varied as Medellin, Colombia (the mind boggles) to Dubai, Hong Kong, Little Rock Arkansas and Berlin...and Brighton, Sussex of course.

Dubai Fashion Week

Milan Fashion Week

Clearly, there a lot of people trying to get a piece of the action. Good luck to them say I. It is good to see challenges to the big four - especially where they encourage local talent and provide a platform for success and access to world markets for talented people who otherwise may not get a look-in.

Haute Eco for Miss Sussex

Get Waisted is delighted to announce that we will be working with the beautiful Alyse Louisa Spratt – current Miss Sussex and finalist in the Miss England pageant to be held on June 26.

Toni will be working on the dress with Alyse for the Eco Fashion show. The Eco section  has grown increasingly important since it was launched in 2007 to become a critical round in the competition. It is a chance to highlight the importance and potential of using recycled materials and is part of the fashion show final.

The exact design is a big secret so suffice to say for now that it will combine recycling with something that is synonymous with Alyse’s beloved Sussex coast. Come back to the blog after the event for pictures and news of how she got on. In the meantime here is a picture of last years winner in a dress made from recycled cuttings from the Liverpool Echo. 

Miss Liverpool 2011 & the Liverpool Echo

Alyse at Hove Station Car Wash

Another key tenet of the Miss England franchise  is charitable works. Alyse and the other contestants in Miss England are working with the registered charity ‘Beauty With a Purpose’.

This year they are supporting Brent Knoll School for children with complex learning difficulties by doing a wide variety of sponsored activities – ranging from auctioning off past winning dresses to sky-diving and car-washes (reprising the 1976 movie with Richard Pryor…just in case you are too old to remember).

I'm so excited - I really want to tell you more about the dress. But I can't (mustn't) so we'll all just have to wait. In the meantime just a quick note: it is Brighton Fashion Week from 30th May to 3rd June.
 

I just can't believe how quickly it has come round. This year we kick off with the Brighton Frocks Show tonight (30th May) followed by the Zeitgeist Show on the 31st. I am sure it will continue to drive forward Brighton's ever burgeoning reputation as a centre of excellence for cutting edge fashion - cant wait.

It's in the Cannes

With the weather coming up trumps these past few days, here at Get Waisted HQ we're hoping it'll last through to our Yacht photo shoot next weekend. We've been working round the clock putting the finishing touches to the collection, which includes colourful kaftan's, super glam maxi dresses and a couple of 1950's inspired wedding gowns. Accessories will play a big part too with some wide brimmed hats, chic sunglasses and a bottle of champagne or two for good measure - think 1970's Joan Collins!

And speaking of yachting glamour, we've been watching the red carpet at The Cannes Film Festival over the past week with relish. With so many premieres, dinners and after party's we could easily find enough gorgeous get ups to fill our blog for the next month! But, we're exercising restraint and selecting just a few of our favourites from the past week.

Starting with the going for gold gang, these looks are all about the wow factor, with sequins featuring heavily. Here's Diane Kruger, in Vivienne Westwood, Jessica Chastain, in Gucci, Kim Kardashian, in Balmain and our favourite pocket rocket, Kylie Minogue, in Dolce & Gabbana.

Sandwiched in the middle we've picked some pretty in pinks. Jessica Chastain, once again, this time in fairytale Armani, Kirsten Dunst, in simple but sophisticated Balenciaga, Milla Jovovich, in a beautifully embroidered one shoulder gown and Naomi Watts, in delicate Marchesa.

And finally we've the girls who went for white on the night. 

Cheryl Cole, in stunning Stephane Rolland, Erin Wasson, in Antoni Berardi, a second inclusion for Diane Kruger, in Nina Ricci, and last but not least, going against the grain, we've picked Cameron Diaz, in a Gucci trouser ensemble looking every inch the film star.

With another three days until the grand finale, there'll be more from us on Cannes next week along with details of the final touches to our photo shoot.

Strictly Ballgowns

This week saw the press preview of the forthcoming V&A Ballgowns exhibition. Opening to the public on Saturday, we are planning our visit in a frenzy of excitement and anticipation. Never before has such a extravagant, decadent and extensive collection of dresses been put together and all displayed in the newly renovated Fashion Gallery.

Many of the designs on show were made specifically for debutante balls, Royal engagements and red carpet events including beautiful and daring creations from the likes of Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Erdem. 

It's the fantasy of most women to attend that fairytale event in a gown that makes you look your absolute best, whilst also showing your exquisite level of taste. This carries through to Prom's too and the imminent prom season is keeping us busy with a host of bespoke dresses in final stages before their debut outings and here's a couple of our previous creations, from the Get Waisted archive.

Speaking of debuts, the Cannes 2012 festival kicked off yesterday too. With so many premiere's and stars doing their best to outshine each other, we're always treated to plenty of dresses to drool over, with day one being no exception.

Eva Longoria went from day to night in a stunning theatrical Marchesa number, then a sophisticated Alberta Ferretti fish tail dress.

Eva Herzigova in translucent beaded Alexander McQueen, Diane Kruger did old school glamour in mint green and Tilda Swinton leans towards the more unusual in Haider Ackerman.

But the award for the most unusual of all yesterday's gowns has to go to Chinese actress and singer, Fan Bingbing, whose white strapless gown is covered in traditional Chinese patterns and imagery to stunning effect.

And before we sign off, just a reminder that out Yacht photo shoot is happening very soon so for your chance to get on board, just like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, sign up for our Newsletter and tell all your friends!!

Met Ball: The Agony & The Ecstasy

Oh, how we love a red carpet event and this years Met Ball goes to the top of our list of most talked about, with a feast of beauties and bloopers rocking up in almost equal measure.

Lets start with the positive and name check our top three absolute fave's. In straight at the No.1 is hands down, knock-out, Carrie Mulligan, going for gold in Prada.

Next up at No.2 is America's newest sweetheart, Emma Stone, sparkling in short, sweet Lanvin.

And in 3rd place, Amber Head, in a lilac Zac Posen gown that's all about structure.

Now for the bloopers, in no particular order.....

Someone who firmly divided opinion on the night was Beyonce in Givenchy. As you'll know we are regular fans of this bootylicious babe and her red carpet choices but there's just too much going on here for our liking.

Next up, fashion adventurer Florence Welch, is always going to take risks but this Alexander McQueen number is just so, so wrong making her look like a bit like a Christmas catastroph-tree

Final special mention goes to Mr Marc Jacobs. There really are no words.

So whilst pondering on the successes and failures of the Red Carpet,we're back to thoughts of the Prom season. 

Absolute essential reading for anyone wanting to make the right Prom night impression is this brilliant Prom Dress Inspiration article from Vogue UK, which really says it all. Armed with their knowledge and our expertise, why not get in touch and let Get-Waisted realise that dress of your dreams.