Not just for luvvies, London Fashion Week is serious business

Somerset House used to be the home of the Inland Revenue but these days it’s better known as home to London Fashion Week twice each year.

2015 is the event’s 61st year and over 250 designers, some very well-known and some less so, will send their models and autumn/winter creations down the catwalks for the whole world to see.

Front row at a show
Source: celebmafia.com

London Fashion Week is far more than celeb watching and wondering how the average person in the street could possibly afford, let alone be seen in, some of the more outlandish outfits – it’s key for the whole industry as it showcases the best of British fashion, and is a catalyst to increasing exports all over the world.

The industry plays a significant role in our economy, generating £26bn for the UK each year, bringing in £10.7bn from consumers and employs almost 800,000 people.

London Fashion Week gathers orders of some £100m during the five days and the shows are watched online by audiences in 190 countries worldwide, even if this time it’s gone head-to-head with the Oscars.

The spectacular outfits worn by some catwalk models can appear impractical, unaffordable and sometimes plain daft.

Traditionally, says the BBC website, the idea has been that the clothes and styles adopted by the richest in society eventually filter through and influence the rest of us, the so-called "trickle-down" theory - first put forward by the American economist and sociologist, Thorstein Veblen, in 1898.

This has changed over time but the high street is still influenced by what’s shown at London Fashion Week. Sometimes it’s the accessories used, sometimes colour palette, pattern or outfit shape, other times it can be the use of fabric or trim. Copies can appear in high street shops almost overnight, helped by retailers’ access to the internet.

In recent years designers have been collaborating with high street retailers to create affordable versions of their designs. That’s because they don’t only design for one or two special people, they want their designs to influence thousands.

Get Waisted’s owner and designer, Toni Pickles, attends London Fashion Week to take inspiration, gauge and forecast trends, and ultimately bring the latest fabrics, trends and designs through her own collections to her clients and customers in her boutique in Steyning, West Sussex.

Check out this video to see what happened at London Fashion Week Feb 2015

You can see more about Get Waisted on www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact Toni on:

Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

Steyning boutique, 98aHigh Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD

Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays

Tel: 01903 812992

Mobile: 07947 497342

(with thanks to www.bbc.co.uk/news) 

Suits you, girls!

One trend which never seems to go out of fashion is the masculine look for women’s clothing and fashion. Whether it’s blazers, shirts with dickie bows, shorts, blouses or edgy tailoring, it seems it’s definitely here to stay.

Storming the runways at London Fashion Week were suits in pastel shades, mixed tailoring with skyscraper heels, and oversize androgynous trousers with metallic brogues.

From Coco Chanel’s time through Jean-Paul Gaultier to Giorgio Armani and Stella McCartney, fashion designers and couturiers love this look. And we love it on the high street too, as it’s easy to wear and takes us comfortably from office to evening.

Key to this summer’s look have been designer trainers and flats of every type, with man-size watches and chunky chains, as well as metallics and brights stealing the show. Autumn/winter sees the welcome return of cosy woollens, boiled wool, hats, scarves and gloves to finish off this trend, but in muted heathers, berry shades and naturals. Clutches, small angular handbags and totes are aplenty too.

Faux fur, fluffy jumpers and coats, and the constant delight of leather are also on the agenda. But it’s the masculine look which we’re replicating at the moment at Get Waisted to the delight of our clients, cinched in with glorious belts to showcase a feminine shape. We’re not talking the harsh padded shoulders and shapeless trends of the 80s (think Annie Lennox) but a sophisticated take for the season.

Jason Wu outfit 

Photo source: www.vogue.co.uk 

You can see more about Get Waisted on www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact Toni on:

Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

Steyning boutique, 94 High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD 

Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays

Tel: 01903 812992

Mobile: 07947 497342

Tweed – a modern take on a real classic

Now that autumn is distinctly upon us, our fashion thoughts turn to clothing in different textures and colour palettes to make us feel warm and cosy. One of the most classic weaves is currently having a renaissance, and that is – tweed.

Snazzy tweed

Tweed is defined as a rough, unfinished woollen fabric in a soft, open, flexible texture. It is made in either plain or twill weave, with patterns including check and herringbone. Subdued, interesting colour effects are obtained by twisting together differently coloured woollen strands into a two- or three-ply yarn, says Wikipedia: Tweed.    

Traditional tweeds are made to withstand a harsh climate and are commonly worn for outdoor activities like shooting and hunting, being moisture-resistant and durable. Beloved of the Royal Family, there is no keener a tweed wearer than Prince Charles!  

Today’s fashion tweeds encompass gorgeous autumn hues of berry, green, brown and natural shades. The fabric is now being made into new trends of mini and midi skirts, edgy jackets and warm capes. Worn with polo necks (again in fashion – see Vogue Fashion Trends), crisp white masculine shirts, as well as mismatched patterns, tweed is hitting the right target in women’s clothing stakes again.

And whether it’s a cross-over from Downton Abbey, Sherlock or maybe even Doctor Who, men are sporting tweed blazers and suits again too. Get Waisted’s Toni Pickles has been turning tweed into bespoke clothing for clients who want something just a little bit different. Having trained in Savile Row, Toni is adept at creating a tailored look for men and women, and what better fabric to show off at this time of year than a sophisticated yet surprisingly easy to wear tweed?

You can see more about Get Waisted on www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact Toni on:

 Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

 Steyning boutique, 94 High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD 

 Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays

 Tel: 01903 812992

 Mobile: 07947 497342

Creating the dress of your dreams

The decision to have a bespoke dress for a special occasion is only the start of a wonderfully exciting process. Once you’ve experienced it with Get Waisted, you may never want to buy on the high street again!

Seeing the design through from start to finish – from choosing the fabric to the finished garment – is thrilling. You get exactly what you want and there are no compromises in fit, colour or material, as you might experience on the high street. Your dress will hang beautifully, highlighting what’s fabulous about you and bringing out the beauty in your skin tone. Just what you need to be the belle of the ball or the most beautiful bride.

Get Waisted’s Toni Pickles will be there from the very beginning; guiding, helping and advising, as well as making the dress itself. Inevitably, there’ll be lots of laughs along the way as you choose the fabric, design and style. There’s no haughtiness or exclusive prices you can experience with some of the couture brands and boutiques, although naturally due to the individual nature of dressmaking, we can’t match some high street prices – but that’s what you’re buying: individuality, bespoke tailoring and the control of knowing you’re getting exactly what you want and need.

All our quotes include fabric but prices will change accordingly if the fabric, shape or details are changed from the original design. Fabric prices may vary, but the main cost of making any dress or gown is the time. Prices are quoted on an individual basis after a consultation to choose style, fabric and embellishment. All items are designed, cut, fitted, sewn and finished at our boutique and atelier in Steyning, West Sussex.

Here’s how your dream dress becomes reality

Book a free consultation with Toni and when you decide to go ahead, you’ll need to pay a deposit (normally 50%). This deposit is to show commitment from both parties to the making of the design and is non-refundable. It is used to purchase the fabric for the outfit and any work carried out up to the first fitting. Sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances which mean you need to cancel, and in this case any refund will be up to the discretion of Get Waisted Designs. Paying the deposit secures your cloth.

  

Toni's design for a wedding gown

We don’t believe in the ‘hard sell’. You’ll have time to consider your next step. Your space will be held provisionally but if there is a waiting list, then a time limit will be put on your provisional booking but we’ll keep you posted throughout.

Although the design is generally agreed at the original consultation and the quote based on this is agreed, it is possible to change the design as nothing will be made in the real fabric until the second fitting. The fabric is bought on booking to ensure availability so the design can be altered but if it is a drastic change, there may be a cost alteration so we’ll let you know this as quickly as we can. Sometimes you may need a few consultations to reach the final design.

Get ready early

Once the space has been booked, the time for having your gown made is secured. Fittings for a wedding dress or elaborate gown are generally started four to five months before the wedding/event, unless you require it much earlier before the wedding date.

Simpler dresses and day wear can be much faster - but please don't come along the week before you need it! We do everything we can to make sure you have your outfit ready for the event but you’ll need to make sure you leave enough time so there’s no pressure, either for us or for you.

One of Toni's creations on the catwalk

With a day or cocktail dress, we’d be looking for a lead-in period of six to eight weeks ideally.

For a wedding gown, to achieve the best fit especially if you are trying to lose weight, the first

fitting for the gown is generally also started six to eight weeks before the wedding, allowing the final fitting to be done one to two weeks before the day.

If you’re happy with your shape and don’t need to lose weight for the big day, then there’s no reason your gown can’t be done as much in advance as you require. You may live far away, you’re getting married abroad or you just like to have things ready well in advance to set your mind at ease, it’s completely up to you.

Weddings are generally seasonal and peak times are between May and September so if you’re getting married during these times, we recommend you book 12-18 months in advance. The winter months are quieter so 6-12 months is adequate time for a Christmas wedding.

How your dress is made

Once we know the fabric, design and style, the next step is the toile. This is a mock-up of your gown made in cotton or another appropriate fabric closest to your gown.

Fitted skirts are made in calico first, but some bigger skirts can be made up in the real fabric to fitting state. This is then fitted and any adjustments made. Depending on the style of the gown and the adjustments made, there can be between three to five fittings. The average is three but if you have a more complex design, it can be more. It’s definitely important to get it right!

Unveiling your creation

This is the most exciting time – when you step into the finished garment. Barring the odd mishap with some emergency cream doughnuts or losing weight due to pre-wedding jitters, you can marvel at the way your dress fits you perfectly, safe in the knowledge it’s a one-off and you won’t ever see exactly the same design anywhere else.

To find out more about the dress design process or to book an initial consultation with Toni, call us now.

You can see more about Get Waisted on www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact us on:

Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

Steyning boutique, 94 High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD

Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays

Tel: 01903 812992

Mobile: 07947 497342

Get Waisted hosts a Fashion Show for Brighton College

Toni Pickles firmly believes in supporting local charities as well as education, so it’s no surprise that for the third year running, Get Waisted helped the girls of Fenwick House, one of the houses at leading independent school, Brighton College, put on a fashion show (www.brightoncollege.org.uk).

Last year the theme was ‘James Bond’, the year before ‘Moulin Rouge’ – so there’s never a shortage of glamour. This year the theme was 1940’s and ‘50’s ‘Hollywood Glamour’ so of course it was just the ticket for Get Waisted.

After music and dance from some extremely talented students, brave members of staff strutted their stuff in front of the student body wearing pieces from a number of local shops including Passport, Lucia’s Workshop and Foxed Up Vintage, for the ‘Teachers Runway’.

This was followed by collections from Get Waisted, Dig for Victory and Pretty Eccentric, varying from fun outfits through to vintage-inspired day and cocktail dresses, and evening glamour.

With financial contributions from a raffle as well ticket sales for the event, catering and a fun photo booth with accessories for a record of the event from Emmest Photography (www.emmestphotography.co.uk/), the final amount raised for Chestnut Tree House is still being calculated - but with around 200 people there on the night (a full house), the evening was a great success and much enjoyed by everyone.

To see more about Chestnut Tree House, see www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk

You can see more about Get Waisted, see www.getwaisted.co.uk or contact us on:

Email: toni@getwaisted.co.uk

Steyning boutique, 94 High Street, Steyning, West Sussex BN44 3RD (from 4^th March)

Open 9.30am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, closed on Mondays

Tel: 01903 812992

Mobile: 07947 497342

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.