Love is in the air (and maybe a little snow)!

So here we are, snowbound as I write, and Valentine's Day is almost upon us. But before I start trying to get those creative juices flowing and showing you a few ideas I thought I would just give a little history.

If, like I did a few years ago, you thought Valentines Day was just an evil capitalist scheme dreamed up by Hallmark you couldn't be more wrong. In fact its origins can be traced back to pre-Christian times and the Pagan festival of Lupercalia. It seems Roman and subsequent Christian cultures 'adopted' Lupercalia on the basis of 'if you can't beat them, join them. Lupercalia was celebrated from 13 to 15 February in Roman times.

Whilst Lupercalia involved the 'encouragement' of female fertility through men stripping naked and whipping the backsides of young females with goatskin this can hardly be considered romantic love...although I can think of a few former...enough of that. The first linking of romantic love to Saint Valentine seems to have come with Chaucer in 1382 and his Parlement of Foules celebrating the engagement of Richard the II and Anne of Bohemia - "..for this was on Saint Valentines Day when every fowl cometh there to choose his mate" (rough translation).

The first recorded passing of a Valentines note seems to have been from a Frenchman (of course) captured after the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 to his lover and subsequently imprisoned in The Tower. Throughout the 18th century the passing of notes became customary in England and in 1847 Esther Howland of Worcester Massachusetts starting producing cards in the US. In 1913 Hallmark produced their first cards and we were on the slippery slope. By 2010 the market was worth almost $15bil in retail sales in the US and over 1 billion Valentine cards sent worldwide making it second only to Christmas in this regard.

OK, and breathe. Hopefully you're still with me and we can take a look at a few ideas to get those pulses racing (now that's what I call target marketing).

A Get Waisted creation for Valentine's Day

As you can see we have moved on a little from Chaucer - you don't have to go all out 'vamp'. Here is a nice selection from Tight Flavor to illustrate the point.

At Get Waisted we like to add our own spin. As I may have mentioned, I just love corsets and what they can do for just about any woman. There are a few ideas (all from Get Waisted) above - I hope you like them.





Of course, if you want one of these or something similar with your own twist, well that's what bespoke is and the Get Waisted 'Raison d'etre'. Just call me, Toni, or email on toni@getwaisted.co.uk

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.