NIEMIERKO FRONT ROW: Jasper Conran, Spring / Summer 2011

GUEST LIST: Style in a photobooth

MARK MEETS: British fashion designer, Jasper Conran

Jasper Conran launched his made to measure Bridal Collection in 2007. His Georgian townhouse boutique, at 36 Sackville Street in Mayfair, is a Brides heaven. Aside from housing his Bridal collections, you can also have your groom fully fitted, as well as view his fabulous Wedgewood tableware collection. We find it exceptionally hard to leave whenever we visit.


Prior to showing his Spring/Summer 2011 collection at London Fashion Week, this Sunday, Jasper spoke all about British elegance and style with Mark.


Jasper what has inspired your current Bridal collection…
It has evolved organically from the previous one. I am currently working on new pieces, inspired by my catwalk collections. There is chantilly lace, some exquisite light corsetry underpinnings and some very light organza texture.


What words best describe your style…
Simple elegance and purity of cut.


Which iconic brides have you dressed…
I have loved dressing many brides, including Lady Sarah Chatto and Jasmine Guinness and I look forward to dressing many more.


What do you love about working within the wedding industry…
I like to dress people who enjoy what I do, if a woman feels great in one of my dresses or a man in one of my suits, then that makes me happy.


What can’t you live without…
My dogs.


What has been your proudest moment of your career so far…
The honour of being awarded an OBE in 2008.


Something old, new, borrowed and blue…
A family veil, the dress, fabulous jewels and a secret blue ribbon hand embroidered on our label.


What makes the perfect wedding day gift...
Something special that is not throw away, I am very proud that my designs for Wedgwood and Waterford often feature on wedding lists.


Veil or no veil in your opinion...
There is something wonderful about the tradition of a veil...


Bridesmaids… love or loathe…
Little flowergirls in sweetpea colours are adorable.


Essential item for a bride on her wedding day…
A dress that makes her feel a million dollars.


Trend prediction for wedding dresses in 2011…
I don't think about trends when I am working on my bridal collection, a bride wants to feel timeless in her wedding dress.


Finally what can we expect from Jasper Conran Bridal in the future…
Now that would be telling! I hope I continue to love what I do.

NIEMIERKO TV: Mark chats Wedding Gift Lists with Wedding TV

DETAIL: Modern Winter, The Louise T Blouin Institute

 

Mr N: Solving your wedding day dilemmas

NO DOGS ALLOWED

Dear Mr N

I have 5 dogs, how do I get my pets involved on my wedding day?

Katie, Birmingham

Darling, three things you can NEVER guarantee with a wedding is the weather, children and pets. But if you decide to take the risk, have fun with it, dress the dogs in floral collars, get inspiration from Robbie Williams wedding where he had all seven of his dogs as bridesmaids. But most importantly don't expect to much from something you can't control.

MARK MEETS: Maggie Hunt, renowned celebrity Make-up Artist.

Maggie Hunt, is a leading name in the fashion and beauty world. As well as beauty campaigns, magazine covers and fashion assignments, Maggie is frequently asked to create looks for celebrities such as Janet Jackson, Meryl Streep, Cindy Crawford as well as the late Princess Diana.


Naturally she is the first choice make-up artist for Niemierko Bride’s when choosing their wedding day make-up. Maggie found time in her busy schedule to talk wedding beauty with Mark.


Maggie you are one of the best, but what made you become a makeup artist…
I was a fashion model before becoming a make-up artist and as I’m a creative individual I thought I had more to offer than smiling sweetly and taking my clothes off.


What word best describes your work…
Glamour! I always like to put some glamour into my make-up but with a classy twist. It must also always appeal to the groom and luckily I always seem to get the balance right.


How best would you advise a Bride to personalise her wedding day makeup…
By pushing it a bit further than the expected.


Which iconic Brides wedding day makeup would you like to do…
Princess Beatrice and Eugenie on either of their wedding days would be a treat.


What has been your proudest moment…
Having spent the day with HRH The Prince of Wales and the late Princess of Wales for their official engagement photographs shoot at Highgrove by Lord Snowdon.


Who do you respect and admire within the wedding industry…
Mark Niemierko.


You are too sweet. I bet you say that to all the wedding planners…
Hardly.


Who’s your biggest rival…
My 2 nieces - Samantha and Nicola Chapman (http://www.fashionface.tv/) who I adore and helped achieve greatness in the make-up industry.


What makes the perfect wedding day gift…
Someone paying for the whole event.


Ideal wedding venue…
The Four Seasons Hampshire with the events organiser Lisa O'Rahilly.


Favourite cocktail…
I'm more a Champagne girl.


Are false eye lashes a must for a Bride on her wedding day…
Yes, at the moment.


Essential items for a bride on her wedding day…
Gloss, powder, cotton buds


And finally trend prediction for wedding makeup…
The face that is so perfectly made up it looks fresh and real, bronzer that adds a hint of warmth and contouring to enhance the face shape, a blusher that has a sheen will give a beautiful glow to the cheeks and eyes that are defined, blended to perfection and defined again.

To book Maggie as your wedding day makeup artist, visit her website http://www.maggiehunt.com/

NIEMIERKO FRONT ROW: Carolina Herrera Spring 2011 Bridal Collection

DETAIL: Countryside Charm, Hampton Court House, Surrey

 

Mr N: Solving your wedding day dilemmas

GROOMZILLA

Dear Mr N

Help me! My fiancé has completely taken over the wedding planning. Isn’t it suppose to be my day? How do I stop him?

Millie, Preston

Sure it's your day... but you have to share it a little with your husband-to-be.  To tame a groomzilla is easy, let him think he is making the decisions while you have carefully edited out options and ideas you don’t necessarily want. Be in charge of different areas, that way he can’t interfere with what you are doing. Perhaps he can arrange cars, choose the wines for dinner and select the evening entertainment. Tell him you want him to be involved, but he has to learn to compromise and that you also want to save some surprises for the big day, that’s where half the fun is!

Send your wedding problems to Mr N: mr.n@niemierko.com

NIEMIERKO FRONT ROW: Christos Spring 2011 Bridal Collection

GUEST LIST: Polka Dot Chic