Nominees For British Bridalwear Designer of the Year
The annual Bridal Buyer Awards will be held on 10 September 2018 during The Harrogate Bridal Show, the UK's largest bridal trade show. The Bridal Buyer Awards' evening is a main highlight of The Harrogate Bridal Show, as well as, being one of the biggest nights in the UK's bridal sector.
With over 600 people getting together to celebrate the industry’s achievements, the event provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate with current industry friends, as well as to network and make new connections.
If you are a bride-to-be and still looking for your perfect wedding dress designer, you can seek some inspiration from these world class British bridal designers nominated for this year's British Bridalwear Designer of the Year award.
Here are the 6 nominated British Bridalwear Designers:
Charlie Brear
Charlie Brear is a contemporary bridal and eveningwear label. The Charlie Brear story started somewhat by accident. In 2005 Charlie, who worked as a fashion stylist, found herself selling off vintage wedding dresses sourced for a music video. She was struck by the growing interest among her circle of friends for something alternative to get married in, which at the time seemed limited. This motivated her to launch her own bridalwear company, selling one-off original pieces. Charlie subsequently began designing her own collections and fell truly in love with bridal. The addition of a red carpet-focused line in 2013 has also made Charlie Brear a destination for beautifully made eveningwear.
David Fielden
David Fielden is internationally renowned for his innovative designer bridal and evening wear. David was trained as a theater designer and also as a dancer and choreographer winning many international awards. His progression from dance came when he inherited a wonderful vintage collection and started to incorporate antique lace in his bridal designs, retailing from his Kings Road shop.
He then introduced evening wear and immediately attracted the world's leading shops and press. This garnered a following of celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Julia Roberts, Bette Midler, Bianca Jagger and many more.
Ian Stuart
Ian Stuart has always had a passion for fashion, art, music and theater. This passion was the driving force which determined his future as a bridal gown designer.
During his fashion education Ian specialised in bridal and evening wear design, for which he won numerous student awards. Upon graduating Ian began his training at Belville Sassoon, one of London’s finest couture houses who specialise in creating gowns for socialites and members of the Royal family. This training gave him invaluable knowledge of cut, proportion, balance and wearability within design.
Ian then went on to create bi-annual collections for leading bridal and evening wear manufacturers in London before moving on to New York to further his career, where he created bridal wear labels which where sold throughout the world.
Sassi Holford
Sassi Holford is a leading international designer with numerous awards and accolades under her belt. 35 years since making her first gown, Sassi Holford has grown to become a is now a leading international designer. All her gowns are handmade in England.
The captivating 2019 Enchanted Collection is inspired by nature and romance and focuses on texture and light. Designed to reflect the many facets of the Sassi Holford bride, the collection remains true to classic Sassi Holford tradition – celebrating the female form and enhancing the bride’s unique individuality. All Sassi Holford gowns are expertly crafted in the South West of England by a dedicated team of pattern cutters, sewers and hand finishers.
Stephanie Allin
“It started off with 5 dresses in the back of my car and a trip to Harrods to meet the buyers back in 1991 - little did I know that it would bring me here today", says Stephanie Allin about her beginnings. "Within the same year I opened my first boutique in South Wales and my team grew to 5. In 1992 I produced my collection to wholesale so that my designs could be sold further afield and felt so elated when boutiques in Paris, the United States and even Australia were stocking my dresses." In 2008 Stephanie Allin opened her London boutique which mostly stocks the newest styles.
Suzanne Neville
Suzanne Neville is one of the UK's leading designers of bridal and evening wear. All of the gowns are British made, with designing and hand-made production being undertaken in London.
Suzanne Neville started the business in 1991 after studying at London College of Fashion, gaining recognition after Harrods took on her entire first collection. With stores in Knightsbridge, Cheshire and over 50 Stockists in the UK and worldwide, the award winning designer continues to grow. Suzanne is a very hands-on who takes pride on the fit of every dress and aims to create the most flattering shape for every individual bride. The designs are frequently featured in top bridal and fashion publications and regularly commissioned by celebrity and high profile clients.
