Does your little black book include your couturier’s number?

Your new BFF could very well be your dressmaker.

You know when you try on an item in the high street (or even in the best boutiques) and each garment in the same size fits differently? It’s certainly irritating – we say ignore the size and try on as many as you can till you find the right one.

In the same way as you might buy a dress or suit off the peg and decide to get it altered to fit properly, your dressmaker can become your best friend by doing the same with a vintage item.

A Channel 4 programme, "This Old Thing" with Dawn O'Porter, featured Alice from Brighton using a dressmaker. Alice is convinced, even though she can see the appeal of vintage fashion, that it wasn’t for her. With a few clever changes, Dawn tried to persuade Alice that vintage clothes could look sophisticated and unique for her. Here’s a link to the episode so you can find out what happened: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/this-old-thing-the-vintage-clothes-show/on-demand/56973-004

Buying a one-off can mean it won’t be perfect for you. An older piece of clothing will probably be in the style of the trend at the time, for example a nipped in waist, padded shoulders or heavy netting under the skirt, which may not suit your shape. 

Toni Pickles, designer, seamstress and tailor at Get Waisted, can perform amazing things and will advise you on the best way of making it perfect for you; something your best friend may not always feel they can tell you!Whether it’s adding panels, narrowing sleeves, skirt shortening, removing shoulder pads, you too can have the best of both worlds: a bespoke item made to measure which is still vintage.

Toni Pickles

So put Toni’s contact details in your little black book and always have your new BFF on hand.

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

The Fashion Show Steyning has been waiting for!

We don’t think Steyning has seen anything like our recent Fashion Show.

Nearly 100 people came along, either sitting back enjoying the range of women’s dresses and accessories displayed on our beautiful models, or helping behind the scenes.

We had thirteen models altogether – ladies of all shapes and sizes – hair and make up team, lighting and music assistants, those serving drinks and canapés, selling raffle tickets, manning the welcome desk, not to mention the compère and those taking photos and shooting a video. It was a wonderful team effort, designed to make sure everyone had the best time possible.

There was much shimmying and sashaying along the catwalk as we showed the crème de la crème that Get Waisted has to offer in our boutique and on-line. We even auctioned a gorgeous black corset outfit modelled by Caitlin (see below).

The most important thing though (apart from showing that Steyning is clearly the centre of upmarket yet affordable glam and chic) is that we raised £300 for Chestnut Tree House (www.chestnut-tree-house.org.uk/) children’s hospice care.

This month we also took part in Steyning’s Late Night Christmas Shopping Extravaganza, where we welcomed more Get Waisted friends and customers with a hearty glass of mulled wine and festive mince pies. Once again, good fun was had by all!

We’re delighted we launched our arrival in Steyning with such a bang and we’ve certainly had many new visitors to our boutique in the high street as a result.

We still have plenty of unique women’s fashion clothes and accessories for those upcoming Christmas and New Year parties and we even have some you can hire. There’s just enough time if you need something special made bespoke too (but please don’t leave it too late!).

We’ve been up in London visiting buyers so we can bring you the very latest affordable designer and individually fashioned pieces before Christmas, so there’ll be new and exciting items arriving by the day.

Just give us a call on 01903 812992 or pop in to Get Waisted Boutique and we’ll tell you more.

Free Photoshoot AND 20% off when you Get Waisted for your Prom

At Get Waisted we like to do things properly. Prom 'season' is no exception. So we have got together with Phase Photographic to make an unbeatable offer.

Order a prom dress from Get Waisted before May 1st and not only will you get a 20% discount you will also receive a free photoshoot in your dress from Phase Photographic.

The photoshoot includes a 7"x5" framed photo (you can order more in a wide variety of sizes and frames) and is alone worth £100.

Make a splash with your prom dress

There is always a last minute rush. So this is Get Waisted trying really hard to give you a real incentive. Phase Photographic are the perfect photographers to capture you in all your glory and Get Waisted can cater to your every whim in terms of design, colour and fabric.

So call me, Toni, now on 07947497342 or email at toni@getwaisted.co.uk to discuss your requirements or arrange an initial (free) consultation.

I look froward to hearing from you.

Toni

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.

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.

"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

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.