What is Bias Cut?

If you have been into our boutique recently you will hear us talking about how amazing our two new dresses from Charlie Brear are - the Payton and Torum.  One of the things we love about them is that they are Bias Cut dresses. You might be thinking to yourself "what does that mean" so I thought I would give a quick explanation. 

The bias cut started in 1927 by a Parisian Couturier by the name of Madeleine Vionette. Simply put, a bias cut is when the pattern pieces are cut diagonally across the grain of a fabric. A true bias will make an angle of 45 degrees across the length and the width of a fabric. 

The reason why designers use this cut is because it creates a garment which will closely follow the curves of your body. It also provides a great stretch in the material which again allows the dress to accentuate curves and will drape softly. Many brides love the delicate, graceful flow of a finely made bias cut silk dress.  

To cut a dress on a bias requires a lot of skill, time and attention.  The cut is often used for the most luxury and delicate materials such as silks.  

We absolutely love the bias cut dresses and the delicate way they fall which is why we always encourage our brides to try one. The dress may not be covered in crystals and bling but these dresses are all about the most beautiful cut, fit, materials and design which are quite honestly out of this world! They are a sophisticated and elegant design option. 

 

 

 

Sample Sale - Additional 15% off 19th & 20th November

Its that time again when we will be selling some of our samples off due to discontinuations and to make room for new dresses.  So its a fabulous chance to grab yourself a bargain and its ideal if you have a last minute wedding as you can take your dress away with you on the day.  For one weekend only you can get an additional 15% off the sale price! 

The dresses are sold on a first come, first served basis.  We cannot hold any dresses for you, so come prepared to buy so you don't miss out on the dress of your dreams.  

They are all dresses which have been tried on at MiliMili but they are in amazing condition.  Here are some of the dresses which will be featured in the Sample Sale.  

Charlotte Balbier Dresses

Nora Size 12 Was £990 Now £450

Aliona Size 16 Was £1495 Now £750

Willa Rose Size 12 Was £1245 Now £650

Tarron Size 12 Was £1090 Now £400

 

Annabelle Size 8 Was £1299 Now £500

Lilac Size 12 Was £1485 Now £300

Blue By Enzoani

Honolulu Size 10 Was £1070 Now £550

Hamlet Size 14 Was £1040 Now £350

Ian Stuart

Thandie Size 12 Was £1850 Now £800

La Paix Size 16 was £1850 Now £800

Charlie Brear Trunk Show - 10th December 2016

We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Charlie Brear trunk show on the 10th December 2016.

Not sure what this means?  Well allow me to explain! 

A trunk show is an event when the specific designers sends us additional gowns for the weekend thus allowing us to show you the new collections and pieces we do not normally have in the boutique.  

This is a perfect opportunity if you have found a designer you adore but haven't quite found the right dress yet. The trunk show allows you to concentrate on the dresses by that designer and find your dream dress. 

The appointment will last for the normal 1.5 hours in which time you can view the dresses and decide upon which ones you wish to try.  We will be there every step of the way and will provide advice and guidance. Whilst trying the dresses we will help you to visualise how the dress will work for you on the day.  The dress should be doing the work, not the bride working for the dress. 

As Charlie Brear is an internationally renowned designer who is in high demand, we expect this event to book up quickly.  So contact us as soon as possible to book your appointment. 

Tips for Trunk Show appointments:

  • Be prepared to buy your dress.  We offer a 10% discount throughout the trunk show duration, so it is a limited offer.  We also only have the additional dresses for the limited period of time, so if you wanted to show a specific person before you buy then you need to make sure they are there with you.  Once the dresses leave us they are difficult to get back to try and usually comes with an additional cost. 
  • Think carefully about who you want to bring with you.  Do not be tempted to bring lots of different people with you to obtain their opinions.  Too many opinions causes confusion and we usually find the most important opinion, that of the bride, gets lost. We would recommend bringing one or two people with you that you feel comfortable helping you make your decision. 
  • When it comes to underwear, think nude colour boring seamless knickers.  You will not have lines and colours showing through you dress making decisions difficult. 

We look forward to meeting you and by following our tips we are sure you will find the perfect dress for your wedding day. 

 

 

New Designer - Charlie Brear

I am extremely happy and excited to announce that our new designer for the boutique is the one and only Charlie Brear!! 

This is our excited happy dance. 

Charlie Brear had been a stylist for 10 years when she was required to source a plethora of vintage wedding dresses for a commercial shoot. On selling the dresses afterwards, she was surprised at how popular they were and that light bulb moment inspired her to found The Vintage Wedding Dress Company in 2005.

Spurred on by the growing interest in these original vintage pieces, Brear designed a capsule collection of made to order gowns, offering a contemporary take on vintage glamour. Its success in house led to the first full collection selling to market in 2011. The company was re-branded as Charlie Brear in January 2013; in time for the launch of her first mainline fashion ready-to-wear collection.

Charlie also launched her additions range which introduced the bridal world to the idea of separates. "Additions" is a collection of pieces to compliment the dresses such a lace sleeves, over dresses/skirts, lace shrugs and wait for it......a leather jacket!  Brides can then have a bespoke gown with a choice of additions which suit their individual style. 

The collection is produced in the Uk using a beautiful range of fabrics.  They are beautifully cut and I can see these dresses being passed on as heirloom pieces down to the quality of them. By adding the additions you are able to tailor a gorgeous dress to suit you and your figure. 

This skirt is my absolute favourite.  The sequins are gorgeous and paired with the rose gold leather belt is a stunning combination of feminine style with an edgy look. 

Beautiful aren't they!  Simple, sophisticated and elegant. 

I am please to announce that we will also be holding a Charlie Brear designer weekend in December so look out for more details on that shortly. 

The dresses are due to arrive in October so be sure to book your appointment to come and see them, you do not want to miss out on them. 

 

Cydney & Joe

On the blog today we are featuring the Boho perfect Cydney and Joe.  I posted a photo of Cydney on our facebook a few weeks ago and everyone absolutely loved it.  So now you are in for a treat with lots more pictures of their beautiful day. 

Their wedding took place at Newland Hall in Chelmsford.  It is a beautiful setting consisting of a Tudor Manor House with a moat, stunning gardens and a woodland with 4 lakes!  

Cydney has a blog and a popular Instagram account where she posts about all things trendy, so I knew that her dress was going to be something relaxed but fashionable.  The dress she decided on was Inaru by Blue Enzoani.  The dress has a fabulous feature back and is a champagne colour which worked beautifully with Cydney's skin tone. 

Joe and Cydney's photographer for the day was HS Media, so a thank you to them for capturing the day. 

Cydney's hair looked gorgeous!  The loose curls and stunning flower crown worked so perfectly with the dress and completed the boho style.   

The bridesmaids complemented Cydney's look with their cute matching flower crowns.  You all have probably realised by now that we love something a little different from the ordinary and these bridesmaid dresses are a prime example!  The dresses are from Asos and are a step away from the traditional bridesmaid dress. 

Talking of non traditional, has anyone noticed the shoes!  Cydney and her bridesmaids wore Cowboy boots!  Cydney's dad is American (he has a great American accent btw) and this was Cydney's nod to her American roots.  

Joe looked very dapper in his suit as did his groomsmen.  I have to say, this makes me feel very old as I have known Joe's family for many years now and my main memory of Joe is of a little boy running round with a toy snake pretending to be Steve Irwin! 

The flowers for the wedding were by Belle Rose Boutique.  The blue and coral are a gorgeous combination which carry on the Boho look. 

The naked cake was by Sweet Sam and looks delicious. 

Joe and Cydney put so much thought into the extra special touches for the day.  I love the flip flops for guest and the polaroid camera is a brilliant idea. 

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Willis!!  Thank you for allowing us to be part of your special day.

Samantha & Keith

On the blog today we have the wedding of Samantha and Keith.  This is a real treat for anyone who loves a theatrical style wedding. 

Samantha and Keith got married on 9th April 2016 at the rather trendy Houchins Barn.  This is a relatively new venue on the block but I have heard nothing but positive feedback about it. 

When Samantha first came into the boutique, she explained to me that she is an interior designer and has her own design company (Morph Designs Ltd).  So she was looking for a dress that was something a little different from the normal and as soon as she mentioned the words "Helena Bonham Carter style" I knew there was only one designer for her.  The one and only Ian Stuart. 

Samantha fell in love with the Pracatan dress, and as one of my all time favourite dresses I was truly jealous she got to wear it!  I think the only way to describe this dress to someone is "think Carrie Bradshaw - Sex in the City". Ever the designer, Samantha wanted a few custom changes to the dress which were to remove the sparkle detail off the corset bodice and also to have a corset tie back put in. It was really important to Samantha that she could have different accessories that she could change throughout the day.  In the end, she had 2 different boleros, a veil and a stunning hat (the hat was made by the same lady who helped Vivienne Westwood with the costume design for Tim Burtons "Alice in Wonderland"). 

Keeping with the Vivienne Westwood theme, Samantha had some gorgeous Vivienne Westwood shoes. 

The photographer for the day was Jayne Heather, so a big thank you to her for her beautiful images. 

Samantha's flowers were absolutely gorgeous.  I love the mixture of blue and purples and they are such a stand out feature. Throughout the day Samantha and Keith put in some amazing touches to the make the venue look beautiful.  

The wedding cake was made by Hunnybun Bakery and looks gorgeous, again the colour theme is stunning. The love letters were from My Big Fat Wedding and all the other props and screens were provided by Morph Designs. 

The Grooms and Groomsmen had suits from Anthony's Menswear.  I would highly recommend these guys to anyone looking for their suits.  They have modern styles and are top quality in the cut and make. The guys that work there are really helpful too. 

Samantha and Keith had a female choir preforming on the day which sounded amazing (I saw a video!). 

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Wood, we loved being part of your special day xx 

Iyasha & Michael

Welcome to our first blog on our brides weddings.  I wanted to do these blogs so I could show off our amazing brides and also to give brides to be some inspiration for their own specials days. I hope you enjoy reading them and looking at all the beautiful pictures.

For our first blog, we have Iyasha and Michael.  When Iyasha first came into the boutique I instantly knew she was going to be a MiliMili Bride.  She is class and sophistication personified and you could see she knew a thing or two about fashion.  

Iyasha tried on a few different styles but when she put on Hanoi by Blue Enzoani she knew this was her dress.  She looked absolutely stunning and it showed off her figure amazingly even though the sample dress was 3 sizes too big for her.  My pin skills were tested that day! I always say if you love a dress when it doesn't fit you then you know you will love it even more when it does and Iyasha did just that. I'm sure you will agree she looked fabulous. 

The wedding was on 7th November 2015 and the venue was Hintlesham Hall.  If you haven't already booked a venue I would highly recommend a look at this venue, it is a very impressive setting for a wedding. 

Iyasha and Michael's photographer for the day was D&A photography so quick shout out to him for the beautiful pictures. 

I'm not being biased when I say Iyasha is a naturally stunning girl.  So her natural hair and make up really complimented her look.  Her make up artist for the day was Victoria Jones and her hairstylist was Kim Wade. 

You may recognise Michael if you have been buying a house recently.  He is the Michael of "Michael's" Estate Agents in Colchester which I have to say is a very trendy and modern looking Estate Agents! 

Iyasha wanted to ensure that her Indian heritage was brought into the wedding, so she had the most brilliant idea of putting her bridesmaids into saree's.  I was lucky enough to see the saree's up close as she brought one into the boutique when she came in for a fitting and the detail was absolutely exquisite on them.  The dusky pink colour went perfectly with her flowers. 

Her flowers were by Interior Floral Design and I think you will agree that they did a fantastic job. 

Iyasha accessorised her dress with a Cathedral veil from Charlotte Balbier which has a beaded detail on the comb.  She also wore a back necklace from Chez Bec. 

Congratulations Iyasha and Michael!  Thank you for sharing your beautiful day with us xx 

Flash Sample Sale

Its coming to that time of year again when I go to choose from our designers new collections.  So, we need to make some space for all the new dresses which will soon be on their way to us.

This is good news for you, especially if you want to grab yourself a bargain!  We will be selling off some of our sample gowns at ridiculously good prices to make some room.  The sale will be on Sunday 17th April from 1-4pm.  No appointment is needed, it will be first come first served. 

Be prepared to purchase a dress if you fall in love with one as there is only one of each sample available, so once its gone it gone.  Sample prices will start from £100!  This includes dresses from current collections from Enzoani, Blue by Enzoani, Rita Mae and Charlotte Balbier.  

Keep your eyes peeled for some sale sneak peeks on our Facebook over the next few days.  If you have any questions please do contact us. 

 

Separates Range from Charlotte Balbier

For a while now I have been looking for a new range for the boutique and I was specifically looking for a range of separates.  So you can imagine my delight when I get an email from our fabulous designer, Charlotte Balbier, announcing that she is releasing a new Separates Collection!

Charlotte is known for celebrating a brides individuality and for tearing up the wedding dress rule book and she has done it again with this collection.  

The collection features 10 interchangeable pieces all designed for the bride to build and create her own look.  Options include a satin slip paired with a lace topper of your choice to a ball gown skirt which can be worn with a super trendy crop top and lace reverse topper.  This collection lets you put together your own look and allows you to stay true to yourself.

To celebrate the launch of the new Balbier Separates collection MiliMili will be hosting the 1st exclusive event of 2016. Be one of the 1st brides in the UK to view and find your ‘one’ from this exciting new collection from the award winning Charlotte Balbier.

As a special gift from Charlotte every bride who orders at this exclusive event can choose any belt from the collection as a complimentary gift.

The week long event will take place between 7th-14th January 2016 at MiliMili Bridal Boutique in Colchester Essex. To secure your appointment call 01206 616368/email enquiries@milimili.co.uk today.

Langley 1254 Sash & Harper Slip 2.JPG mm.JPG



Sample Sale 25th October 2015

Its Sample Sale time again!  So put on your bargain hunting heads and prepare to be amazed at the discounts available. 

The date is 25th October 2015, no appointment necessary but highly recommended.  If you see something on here you like and want a pre-sale chat then please give us a call.  

The dresses are samples which have been loved and looked after in the boutique but some may have flaws such as beads missing hence the discount given on the dresses.  However, with the help of our Fairy Godmother style seamstress these things can easily be rectified.

Here are some of the dresses available and the amazing prices!

 

Charlotte Balbier

 Emelia - Blush size 14Was £1495 Now £600

 

Emelia - Blush size 14

Was £1495 Now £600

 Daydream - Size 14Was £1335 Now £550

 

Daydream - Size 14

Was £1335 Now £550

 The Charlotte - Size 12Was £2300 Now £700

 

The Charlotte - Size 12

Was £2300 Now £700

Krystal - Size 14Was £1095 Now £400

Krystal - Size 14

Was £1095 Now £400

Beatrice - Size 14Was £1199 Now £400

Beatrice - Size 14

Was £1199 Now £400

Marnie - Size 12Was £1440 Now £700

Marnie - Size 12

Was £1440 Now £700

Enzoani

Hamilton - Size 16Was £1230 Now £600

Hamilton - Size 16

Was £1230 Now £600

Harrogate - Size 14Was £1110 Now £500

Harrogate - Size 14

Was £1110 Now £500

Dillon - Size 12Was £1320 Now £600

Dillon - Size 12

Was £1320 Now £600

Hamlet - Size 14 Was £900 Now £450

Hamlet - Size 14 

Was £900 Now £450

These are just some of the dress which will be available, so hurry and grab those bargains!! 

White Gallery 2015 - Part 1

Last month I got to do one of my favourite things of the year, go and pick our new dresses from next seasons collections!! Whilst it is a serious part of my job, it is all so exciting!!

To choose the new dresses, we attend an event called The White Gallery.  At this event, the top Bridal Designers release their new collections for the year. There are various fashion shows that happen throughout the day and are perfect for viewing the new trends.

We have four of our designers at White Gallery: Charlotte Balbier, Ian Stuart, Eliza Jane Howell and Charlotte Mills shoes. Here are some sneak peeks of the new dresses we will soon be welcoming to our boutique.

Charlotte Balbier

The 2016 collection is named "Willa Rose" and marks her 12th year in Bridal fashion. Charlotte's signature feminine style was abundant in this beautiful new collection.  It features ethereal soft flowing chiffon gowns adorned with delicate Rose details and Charlotte signature hand cut flower designs. 

 

Maud from the "Willa Rose" collection.

Maud from the "Willa Rose" collection.

 

Charlotte uses an array of luxurious fabrics from Rich Mikado to silk tulle and French lace.  There was also a gorgeous colour pallet with Rose Pinks, Antique golds and rich Ivory Shades. 

We cannot wait to receive this collection is store, they are seriously gorgeous!

Lainey in Blush

Lainey in Blush

"Lilac" - this is a delightful gown with delicate lace sleeves and gorgeous pearl detailing around the bust.  This is a real WOW factor dress. 

"Lilac" - this is a delightful gown with delicate lace sleeves and gorgeous pearl detailing around the bust.  This is a real WOW factor dress. 

Ian Stuart

Our next stop was the rather fabulous Ian Stuart. This year he named his collection "Runway Rebel" which is perfect for his love of designing dresses which are that bit different and ooze style. He described this collection as an ode to life and the freedom to be expressive, creative and rebellious in it.

 

Paradis

Paradis

In the collection there were some classic Ian Stuart style designs but there are also some more softer and fluid lines which allows the slightly more conservative bride to still have the stunning design and make that Ian is known for. 

Excuse the poor picture quality, this one was just taken on my iPhone! 

Excuse the poor picture quality, this one was just taken on my iPhone! 

I love an Ian Stuart short dress and he didn't fail to disappoint. 

Ian has also designed stunning veils to match his dresses. 

Ian has also designed stunning veils to match his dresses. 

As you can see the dresses this season are stunning!  In part 2 we will give you a sneak peak at the new Eliza Jane Howell dresses and the Charlotte Mills shoes. 

New Dress - Willa Rose by Charlotte Balbier

We were very excited today as we received 3 new dresses from Charlotte Balbier.  We are among the first to receive these dresses as they are from her new collection "Willa Rose".  This collection is officially launched on 17th May but we were lucky enough to get a sneak peek and chance to order these dresses early. 

The first dress is Willa Rose, which Charlotte has named this years collection after.

 

Willa Rose by Charlotte Balbier

This is a beautiful soft chiffon gown adorned with cotton flowers and has a sheer neckline which is very on trend.  The movement on this skirt is amazing and gives it the romantic look. 

Willa Rose

We know our brides are going to love this dress, so give us a call to be one of the first to try this fabulous dress. 

Part time Job Vacancy

JOB VACANCY - PART TIME

We have an exciting job vacancy for a part time Bridal Style Consultant. 

We are looking for an enthusiastic and professional person who can provide exceptional customer care to our brides.  We want someone who is energetic and has excellent communication skills.  As a modern, fashionable boutique we are looking for someone who has a passion for fashion.  The hours will include two days in the week (12.30pm-5pm) every Saturday and some flexibility is required for ad hoc evening appointments.  Previous retail sales experience is highly desirable.  Bridal boutique experience is preferred but full training will be given.

The job role will include:

  • Assisting other members of the team during consultations and eventually directing appointments yourself.
  • Helping in all aspects of styling brides from the dress to the accessories.
  • Assisting during fittings to ensure brides are happy with the end result. 
  • Preparing the dresses for collection including steaming of the gowns.
  • Answering phone calls and emails
  • Booking brides in for appointments
  • Daily cleaning and tidying of the boutique including the upkeep of the sample dresses - ensuring dresses are steamed and fixing missing buttons/beads.     

Please email your cv with a covering letter to laurenwade@milimili.co.uk.

 

The Ultimate Princess Dresses

I cant have helped but notice that there has been a lot of talk about the latest Cinderella film from Disney, particularly the tiny waist.  So I thought I would take the opportunity to show you how we do the Princess look at MiliMili.  As you know, we like to take a classic and put a modern twist on it which is perfect for you fashion loving brides.  

The Charlotte by Charlotte Balbier

This dress was designed by Charlotte for her own wedding day and it is the ultimate in Sophisticated Princess.

It has the prettiest lace sleeves and a beautiful low v back.  There are shimmering diamante buttons which go the full length of the train.  The skirt is the softest organza with an exquisite lace edge and an extremely long train.  To top it all off it has an organza sash which ties into the cutest bow!  This really is a WOW dress.

Charlotte Balbier on her big day wearing 'Charlotte'

Charlotte Balbier on her big day wearing 'Charlotte'

 

 

Pracatan by Ian Stuart

If someone asked me to describe Ian Stuarts style I would have to say think Carrie Bradshaw - Sex in the City. Ian is known and highly sort after for his dramatic creations and use of exquisite materials.  Pracatan is no exception. I absolutely love this dress and yes, I have tried this dress on and then felt completely distraught when I remembered I am already married so will not get a chance to wear it out

Pracatan has a flattering dropped asymmetric waist line which shows off your figure whilst allowing you to have the full princess skirt.  Ian's corsetry is legendary and when you are fitted into this dress you look and feel amazing.  The skirt is a wave of silk and tulle/organza with a beautifully long train. The dress is then finished off with beaded decoration on the waist and neckline.

The dress is available in 4 different colours: Pale blue, Pale Lilac, Honey and Ivory. This dress is amazing and is perfect for the bride who isn't afraid to stand out.

If you have any questions about these dresses please do not hesitate to call us!