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Author: Melissa Ramply

Taking Care of You

With all the media reporting on Coronavirus we wanted to reassure everyone that we are acting on all the advice of the Government to keep our place of work and your place to shop safe.

We take the health and safety of our customers and our staff very seriously and have taken extra steps to ensure our environment is as safe as we can make it. Extra hand washing, daily disinfecting of all surfaces, disposable paper towels introduced and tissues available for staff and customers are just some of the key steps.

The shop remains open as normal and our fashion events continue as normal.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will keep you up to date.

Fascinating Fascinators

Hats or head pieces have been around for centuries starting as tribal markers, native Americans and Egyptians are very well documented to have worn decorative head pieces.

In British culture they became a status symbol of wealth and stature in Tudor times. And then fashion took hold with the 1920s flappers completing their outfit with pearls, feathers and cloche hats.

In the 1980s, London-based milliners Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy popularized fascinators and we can all remember the famous head pieces at William and Kate’s wedding.

Fascinators have remained popular and the term fascinator seems slightly understated for what can be attached to a band or comb. The advantage of a hat or fascinator is that they elongate your silhouette by adding the illusion of height. They can also preserve your hair, unlike a hat which can flatten your gorgeous blow dry.

With all this history it would be a shame not to top your outfit off with its crowning glory.

Walking the Walk

Buying for Autumn 2020 has virtually come to an end. I have been asked on a number of occasions what is it that you look for in a collection. I suppose there are three main things – colour, quality and design. As a customer, when you see a collection, it is usually the colour and fabric that draw you in. It is the same when I am buying for the shop. I do still like to feel the fabrics and look at the finish on a garment, so colour may be the initial impact but that has to stand up to delivering on quality as well. The design really then answers the question of is that going to suit a female figure, where can it be worn and will it have life beyond one season.

With showrooms scattered all across London and beyond there is plenty of walking the streets to find the brands but all those steps are certainly worth it when it arrives in store.

Seasonal Changes

We are coming to the end of our Winter Sale. There are still some fabulous pieces to buy but you need to get in before the end of the day on Saturday otherwise you will miss it.

While the Winter Sale finishes our new season stock arrives in earnest. We already have a room full of delicious new Marc Cain,  a fabulous new Luisa Cerano story and the return of Basler.

Yes I did say Basler. It has been re-born and is looking as classy as it used to do. Quality products, classic pieces that will last for years to come and in a very fresh lime and navy colour.

These new collections will certainly lift your spirits and take away any January blues.

Happy New Year

Saturday 20th June 2020 is set to be the most popular date for couples getting married this year. The summer solstice means couples can celebrate on the longest day of the year, making the most of the party.

2020 is also set to be one that sees a number of new trends. A return to Victorian style wedding dresses, high necks, cathedral length veils and cleaner simpler lines.

Mini-moons and British honeymoons are back in trend with some sharing theirs with friends.

Informal flowers and fairy lights are more popular that structured bouquets. Even food trends are making their way to weddings with free-from menus and non-alcoholic weddings not being unsual.

Fashion for mothers and guests also reflects this general mood with softer dressing, floaty skirts and options for soft trousers instead of structured suits all being worn. Joseph Ribkoff is a perfect option for this with their co-ordinated seperates that are still glamorous but on a less formal basis.

New for Spring 2020

Our spring has already sprung with occasion wear collections arriving in store. Condici, Fely Campo and new brand Ronald Joyce already on the shop floor.

Ronald Joyce has been designing and making dresses for brides, bridesmaids and mothers of the bride since the 1950s. It is another prestigious British brand that has made it’s mark in occasionwear and we are delighted to have its spring 2020 collection in store.

The designs are beautifully feminine with longer lines being a key feature of the collection this season. Cut and shaped with women in mind and taking note of all the areas we like to hide or accentuate.

With some designs already in store, if you have a wedding next year then it is definitely worth a visit.

Buyer’s Playtime

It is not all work at AF, sometimes we do get out and about to have a bit of playtime and with the festive season upon us it seemed the perfect time to check out the festive fashions in London.

Annie, Debbie, Jacky and myself (Becky) headed to London for a night out. First stop Coal Drop Yard at Kings Cross. This area is all part of the regeneration of Kings Cross and home to some fabulous retailers.

Both in the shops, and on people walking around, comfort was definitely key. Chunky sweaters, trainers and cuban heeled boots were everywhere. Wool coats in all sorts of colours probably outnumbered puffa jackets.

But glamour hadn’t disappeared all together. Sequins were teamed with jeans and statement jewellery was adorned by many. Chandelier earrings and art deco rings were noticeable.

Second stop was a glass of something fizzy and the rest, as they say, is history.

Last Minute Winter Wedding

Not everyone gets weeks to plan an outfit for a wedding. Sometimes our children like to spring a suprise on us. From engagement to wedding can be a matter of weeks. The beauty of occasion wear is that there is something available all year round – so don’t panic. During training this week we put together some great looks for events that are happening right now. Spanish label Fely Campo, Irish label Aideen Bodkin and Italian brand D’Exterior provided the inspiration for events that are happening right now.

Our advice is don’t panic, we will get you looking fabulous and feeling comfortable in your own style.

Favourite Brand

I get asked quite a lot ‘which is my favourite brand?’ and hand on heart I love all the brands I have in the store. I don’t think I could have a brand in the store that I didn’t believe in.

When I am looking at a brand I look for quality, style, colour and design. If these all meet up to the standards I want to maintain in store then I am happy to stock the brand. I don’t think of my own personal tastes I look at collections visualising how it will look in the store, the wearability and of course there has to be a wow factor in their somewhere.

With buying about to start for Autumn/Winter 2020 I wait with anticipation what the brands have to offer.

 

New Condici Has Arrived

Winter may be a quieter time of year for weddings but it is an exciting time of year for occasion wear as we see the start of the new season collections arrive. We’ve had a large selection of Condici arrive in store already with some great designs and colours.

It is already receiving a great reception for those that have weddings in the run up to Christmas as well as the early part of 2020.

If you do have a wedding in the first few months of 2020 now is the time to come into store before the Christmas festivities take over and you lose track of time.

If you want inspiration then do join us on Saturday 9th November for our Occasion Wear Fashion Show. Look out for more information on our website.