While Summer sees a downturn in many businesses, life at Princes House is neither quiet nor dull! We continue to benefit from the joys of doing our own thing, while sharing in the value of being a collective.Add Comment Award-winning bridal designer Annalise Harvey to design ‘Pride & Prejudice’ inspired wedding gown for the Jane Austen Festival Couturier Annalise Harvey will design the showpiece bridal gown that will close the fashion show at this year’s Jane Austen Festival. The festival, now in its thirteenth year, is an annual celebration of the ever-popular novelist and her work. More than eighty events are held over nine days, with the world-famous costumed promenade, a masked ball and a fashion show amongst the highlights of the busy schedule. Taking inspiration from Pride & Prejudice, Austen’s most loved novel, the catwalk show will trace a history of fashion throughout the 200 years since the novel’s publication before breathing life into the story with a parade of costumes inspired by its much-loved characters. In keeping with tradition of fashion shows throughout the decades, the event will conclude with a wedding gown, designed by award winning bridal designer Annalise Harvey and inspired by Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist of Austen’s most enduring work. A 200-year old literary heroine makes an unlikely muse for a bridal designer but this commission is custom-made for Cornwall based Annalise. A graduate from Central St Martin’s with an MA from the London College of Fashion, Annie’s unusual CV boasts ten years as a theatre costume designer, most recently at internationally acclaimed dance house Sadlers Wells. But alongside her lifelong love of Jane Austen’s work, Annalise’s true and most enduring passion is reserved for fashion heritage, exploring the history and the significance of clothing throughout the centuries. “Every piece of clothing has multiple personal history stories,” says Annalise. “Clothing is not just an expression of our own personalities but of the social conventions of the time. “Regency England, which Pride & Prejudice depicts, was a society largely defined by class and sexual inequality – a woman’s financial security was almost entirely dictated by her ability to secure herself a husband of means and position and making a personal choice or marrying for love were privileges very few could afford. “Her refusal to adhere to those conventions is what makes Lizzie Bennet one of literature’s most popular heroines – instead of allowing herself to be dictated to she shows herself the equal to any man of her acquaintance with her intelligence, wit and courage. “The force of character that Lizzie displays is what makes designing this gown for the festival such a fascinating project. Before beginning the design process for any gown, whether for a fashion show for a character such as Lizzie or for a modern bride for her own wedding day, I make sure I have a good understanding of my ‘source material’ – the personality, the likes and dislikes and the aspirations of the wearer. By regularly returning to those key factors throughout the process I am able to create a gown that is beautiful, entirely unique and so natural to the bride that for her to wear any other gown on her wedding day would become unthinkable.” Part of the Prince’s House collective of bridal creatives based in Truro, Cornwall, Annalise began designing wedding dresses in 2001. Having moved to the area from London three years ago, she was named Cornish Brides magazine’s Designer of the Year for 2013 and the South West Regional Winner in the 2013 Wedding Industry Awards. Alongside her bespoke bridal designs, Annalise also offers the Nostalgia Collection, a range of exquisite heritage inspired bridal gowns hand-made to order. The collection captures the essence of 20th century design throughout the decades, reclaiming ‘vintage’ fashion by combining period inspired designs with contemporary couture techniques. Following the Jane Austen Festival, Annalise will be holding a series of events in and around Bath to showcase her collections. Prices start at £850 for the Nostalgia Collection and from £1,500 for a bespoke gown. For further information regarding these events or to book a consultation please visit www.annaliseharvey.com ‘The Regency Fashion Show – Pride & Prejudice at 200’ will take place on Saturday 14th September at the Guildhall in Bath. Tickets for this and all events at the Jane Austen Festival are now available online at www.bathboxoffice.org.uk It's an event that looms large on many people's calendars and not just brides or wedding suppliers, a day sure to inspire as it showcases the cream of Cornwall's creative talent. Wed Magazine is a much loved and highly respected publication in the region and beyond, and for many suppliers it is the only show they will do. Guaranteed to be well organised and busy, we all turn out knowing we are in safe hands and look forward to meeting the wonderful readers of the magazine who turn out in abundance to put faces to the names they read about, and plan the fine detail of their big days. This years Wed show did not disappoint - with 200 hundred pre registered visitors (and about 4 times that actually in attendance) the day was buzzy, busy and jolly good fun! All hosted in the elegant surroundings of the Headland Hotel in Newquay - nestling in rugged surroundings over looking Fistral Beach, it was the perfect place to spend a chilly Sunday afternoon. Princes House was well represented with Annalise Harvey, Holly Young Headwear and Anna d'Souza all displaying their breathtaking designs. Ella Butler was there too making up the gorgeous models who wafted around all day looking fabulous in our work! It was great for us to meet some new faces too - and re assuring that despite only being open for 7 weeks the word about Princes House had spread with many visitors to our stand having attended our fabulous launch night in February. We all wanted to say a massive thank you to Rebecca and Brendan of Wed Magazine for their incredible organisation, attention to detail, and for looking after us all so well! |
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