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 watches London strut its stuff at LFW

So, here we are again! Valentine's is over, romance is dead...but London Fashion Week is here again!  And, dear readers, Get Waisted feels honour bound to let you know what (or who) is up. I even managed to get myself up there for the first day this year with all the attendant hullabaloo. I loved it. What an exciting atmosphere. London is really making its mark - perhaps even leaving traditional top tier events such as Milan Fashion Week trailing (London is expecting to attract over twice as many attendees to its catwalks - importantly including some of the top names who previously favoured Milan). Anyway, enough blowing our own trumpet. I enjoyed the shows from KTZ , PPQ and John Rocha all featured in the image below. The KTZ afterparty was pretty cool too - but hey ho, some of us had work to do so couldn't stay long.

KTZ, PPQ and John Rocha at LFW

As I have discussed here before, fashion is big business for the UK (estimated to be worth about £21billion!) and supporting some 816,000 jobs. Well, it seemed like nearly everyone of those people was in one queue or another on Friday - but it was certainly all worth it. It seems to me that London is getting back its (rightful?) crown that it held for fashion and creativity in the 1960's (and don't you dare go saying "I should know, I was there" - cheek!). With 'A' listers from Rihanna to Tom Ford choosing London this year we have to be doing something right.

Speaking of Tom Ford, who designed for Daniel Craig/James Bond and the Skyfall movie, I have one more piece of news for you. Get Waisted is delighted to again be working with Brighton College and the girls from Fenwick House to present a fashion show in aid of Chestnut Tree House children's hospice. Last year we raised more than £1500 and we aim to smash that record this year. The event is Bond themed and will be lots of fun. Check out the event on Facebook for more details and mark your diary for March 13th.

I think that's all for now fashion fiends. Of course, if you are inspired by something you see on the catwalks and would like your own interpretation don't hesitate to get in touch.

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


Love Toni.

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.