Rachel Simpson at last launched her eagerly anticipated new Pearl range last week and we can’t wait to get them on our website!

Again, Rachel has taken inspiration from yesteryear – this time it’s the smooth lines and silouhettes of the early twenties. These beautiful styles have been crafted from the finest duchess satin, kid leathers and lace. Thoughtful details have been added in the form of metallic piping, padded insoles and quality matte leather soles, making them the ultimate bridal indulgence; worth every penny.

Rachel has also added a co-ordinating range of exclusive handmade vintage-style accessories by British designers Laurel Lime. Crafted from feathers, glass beads and pearls, they can be worn as shoe-clips, corsages or hairpieces. They also come in beautiful gift boxes, which make the perfect present for members of your bridal party.

Queens and Bowl will be stocking the most lusted-after pairs, along with a selection of the wedding shoe accessories come their launch in April, so only a few most weeks to wait, girls. It will be worth it!

QB x

There’s no denying that all things retro and vintage are having a bit of a renaissance at the moment, especially within the wedding and bridal arena. With the trend moving away from strapless meringues towards more classy, vintage-inspired gowns, it can be harder to make your vintage wedding stand out from the crowd. Of course, accessories are a great way of ensuring that your look is unique to you, but what about taking the plunge and opting for a shorter, 1950′s style full-skirted dress? 

Stand out from the crowd in a flirty 50s wedding dress

There are a few designers out there now who are adding one or two shorter styles to their collection and the brides that we’ve seen wearing them look utterly fab and totally unforgettable – ideal for the bride-to-be who wants to be remembered!

Think Liz Taylor in her prime and you won't go far wrong...

If you’re a shoe fanatic like us, one of the biggest bonuses to wearing a shorter dress is the fact that you get to show off a pair of show-stopping heels. Go for a classic high peep-toe for that 50s look, then pile on the diamante in classic Liz Taylor (in her prime!) style. Add a bird-cage veil or fascinator, or a statement buckle belt for that timeless, Post-War feel. Finally, head off on your honeymoon in a classic convertible sportscar for the ultimate 1950s reference!

All accessories shown will be available at Queens & Bowl soon.

QB x 

Planning on hitching up your Flapper-style dress and dancing The Charleston at your wedding? If you’re planning a 1920s-style wedding, we’ve got some great ‘dancing shoes’ news for all Flapper brides! Winging their way to Queens & Bowl as I type are some amazing Art-Deco-inspired  wedding shoes from British designer, Rachel Simpson…

Perfect your 'Roaring 20s' look!

With all the gorgeous drop-waisted dresses on the SS10 catwalks, covered in 20′s-style beading and fringing, then these little treats are perfect for topping off your look. Cute details like ribbon bows and pearls make them fabulously feminine and mid-height heels mean you’ll still be on the dancefloor until the lights eventually come on. On the practical side, T-bar and strap fastenings will ensure that you can kick up your heels with the girls without fear of losing them amongst your guests!!

For some finishing touches, we’d recommend sticking with the 20s feel and adding some delectable pearls or feathers from our jewellery ranges…

Feathers and Pearls add finishing Art Deco touches

QB x

Now I know we Tweeted yesterday about her to-die-for Tiffany necklace, but we just had to blog about ‘Amazing Kate’s’ Old Hollywood look at this year’s Oscars ceremony.  

L-R: Vivienne Necklace, Kate Winslet (image - Rex Features), Gwendolyne Earrings

Designed especially for Kate by Tiffanys, the necklace featured yellow and white diamonds in an Art-Deco-inspired setting. The white diamonds were set into a pave-effect sunburst around the HUGE yellow diamonds. 

Now, as beautiful as it was, we’re guessing that not too many brides have a few million dollars in the bank for their wedding jewellery (the estimated cost of Kate’s necklace was a whopping $2.5m), so you’ll be pleased to know that Queens and Bowl will be stocking lots of similar items without the similar price tag. As a quick starter, there’s the beautiful Stephanie Browne  Vivienne necklace. If your dress has straps or detail around the neckline then go for statement earrings, such as the heavenly Gwendolyne earrings.

You may not be up for an Oscar, but the camera bulbs will be flashing a-plenty!

QB x

Looking for some inspiration for a movie-siren bridal look? Follow Sandra Bullock’s example at the Academy Awards last Sunday you won’t go far wrong….

Gracing the red carpet , she was already channeling the 1940s / early 1950s vibe in a glorious Marchesa gown with lace detail – very Grace Kelly. But it was the sophisticated styling that really pulled off this look – the sleek side-parted wavy hair reminicent of Veronica Lake, the signature red lips…. and a pair of HUGE diamond drop earrings!

So stunning and yet so simple – we don’t think she’ll be looking back at these photos in years to come and cringing over a styling faux-pas. Brides-to-be take note! 

We can’t wait to open our’virtual doors’ in April so you can create the same effortlessly glam effect…

QB x

We may be biased, but we just LOVE a good vintage wedding. Here’s why we think they’re the best:

#1 Town or Country – it’s Up to You

Where vintage wedding venues are concerned, the sky’s the limit. Jazz it up at The Ritz or get down on t’farm, Pop Larkin-style, in the country. If you’ve gone for an Agatha Christie-style 1920s venue, why not have a Murder Mystery Night for close family and friends the night before the wedding to really bring the venue to life! Vintage works either way, just be careful not to ruin those heels, Country Girl…

Didsbury House Victorian Villa, Manchester

# 2. Venue Styling to Die For

Having a vintage wedding is the perfect excuse to re-use your venue styling in your own home after the big day. If you’re having a small wedding, maybe use old (and cheap!) vintage crockery that you can use after the event. Alternatively, buy small vintage-style photo frames to hold your table numbers – groups of them clustered around your home will look great after the event, especially if they contain informal wedding snaps.

Check out www.iwantvintage.co.uk for crockery and more

# 3 The Dress. Oh Yes

The beauty of a ‘vintage’ wedding is that there are so many eras to choose from, all of which have a signature style with which to base your theme around. From the intricate lace of the Victorian era, to the flappers of the 1920s or the Dior shapes of the 1950s, there’s something for every shape and persuasion. Many of today’s designers are taking inspiration from the past, so if ‘pre loved’ isn’t your thing, you can be the first to wear a brand new ‘vintage’ creation.

L - R: Clare Pettibone, The Vintage Wedding Dress Company, damngoodvintage.com

# 4 Creative Hair & Make-Up

Hands up, who’s bored of traditional wedding hair and make-up? Throw youself into your chosen era with signature hair or make-up – or both. Your hairdresser will welcome the break in the monotony of production-line brides and your make-up bag will certainly welcome those retro products from the likes of Benefit and classics from Chanel.

Marilyn-style red lips - ooh la la!

# 5 Details, Details, Details

Yep, you guessed it, our final benefit (for now) is all the fun you can have with vintage-style accessories. If you don’t have the budget to stretch to a show-stopping dress, never fear – with the right jewellery, veil or headdress, you can still create the most amazing, head-turning wedding outfit without blowing that budget. The best thing about choosing to make your mark with accessories is that (with the exception of the more extravagant headdresses), you can wear them again and again after the event. I’ve worn my amazing crystal pear-drop earrings to black-tie events and weddings and it’s amazing how many people remember they were my wedding earrings! It’s nice to think that they made such an impact. So whether you choose classic Audrey-style pearls or glam Liz Taylor-esque sparkle, their effect will last far past your Big Day.

Make a statement!

QB x

(‘’)

Another day, another fab vintage-inspired brand signs up to Queens & Bowl, this time it’s Sasso Bridal, makers of the most exquisite vintage-style feather cover-up creations!

No other brand offers the same fantastic range of styles, materials and colours to the same exceptionally high quality standard as Sasso, making them perfect for adding a vintage touch to any style of wedding dress. Styles include capes, shrugs, vests, stoles muffs and jackets, fashioned out of the finest ostrich, marabou and coque.

Again, these pieces hark back to the decadent yet elegant 1920s and 1930s and can be styled up with wedding shoes and jewellery to get a complete vintage look. Alternatively they’re perfect for a winter wonderland wedding, or simply to add a bit of Old Hollywood sparkle, these pieces will last the test of time and ensure your look has the WOW factor it deserves!

QB x