Mirror Mirror Couture Bridal Collection

With thirty two years experience of dressing brides, where do we find the inspiration to start designing our new capsule bridal couture collection?

Not Just a Bridal Boutique

At Mirror Mirror London we are not just a bridal boutique but designers in our own right. Jane and I are both trained designers and love nothing more than being inspired with an idea for a wedding dress. We enjoy the pattern making process, perfecting proportion and creating a beautiful gown that makes us proud and becomes someone’s dream dress. Our design team are skilled and passionate and love making our own collection and custom designs.

We also have the wonderful opportunity to work with some of the most creative and innovative bridal designers internationally including Gemy Maalouf, Pronovias Atelier and Inbal Dror, Vera Wang Bride, Nicole Milano and Eliza Jane Howell.

Road To Inspiration

Road To Inspiration

We always have our eye on fashion and of course, we are all overwhelmed by the never-ending stream of images on digital media. But for Jane and I there seems to be a pattern to the road of inspiration. Many of our designs are a soft organic transition over the seasons and sometimes it’s ‘all change’!

Stored Design References

Stored Design References

Outside influences like film, exhibitions and travel, trigger ideas and feelings for shapes and form. These are stored for just the right moment.
Embroideries and laces that we choose to sample, set off little electric pulses of excitement in our brains as we exchange looks. Even after all these years we still tend to choose the same fabrics and laces, even when doing it independently! The look, feel and drape of the fabrics are a key influencer to how we start designing.
A huge consideration is feedback from our clients. As we are a boutique/atelier we are never far from our ‘brides to be’. Working with clients directly and listening to our stylists hopefully gives us so much insight what you are looking for.

Ideas Start To Take Shape

Ideas Start To Take Shape

At the beginning of the design process Jane and I had a strong feeling that we needed to simplify. Parring back to elegant key classic designs in beautiful fabrics.

Key Shapes

Key Shapes

We have included ‘off the shoulder’ necklines, waisted ballgowns, bias cut crepes, very much a signature from us. Halter shapes in slinky silk satin and classic strapless mermaids. Modern fresh and modest styling has played a part in our design edit for 2021. We have included high bateau necklines, long slender sleeves and of course ever popular pockets. It was very hard to stay away from wedding trends as such. But we really wanted to keep this bridal collection pure and truly classic. One thing we felt strongly about was that the fabrics should not shine as such, but ‘glow’. Our Mirror Mirror Couture bride should be outstanding without being over adorned.

Two Looks

Two Looks

Many of the styles feature detachable overskirts and straps giving you two looks if desired from day to evening.

Cathedral Trains

Cathedral Trains

One thing we have been asked for more are longer skirt trains and covered button details. Both are elegant bridal details and favourites in our couture wedding dress designs. It would seem the ‘elegant bride’ is a look that never goes out of style. We also adore veils for softening the look and we have been creating some extra long cathedral lengths. If not long enough for your taste, we can make bespoke to any length. Think Priyanka Chopra on her day!

Gathering Our Shoot Team

Gathering Our Shoot Team

With the collection nearing completion we started to think about how we wanted to present our new wedding dresses. Based in our North London HQ it’s no surprise our brides come from all across the world. They hold their dream weddings in all the corners of the earth. But the English country wedding is just as popular as the destination wedding. For our shoot, we had London on my mind.

The Venue

The Venue

I saw the newly renovated Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel and Palm Court on Smashing The Glass bridal blog, I was very excited as I had always had a soft spot for this beautiful London landmark in Bloomsbury.
I arranged a site visit and just fell in love with the space, architecture and extraordinary light. The ballroom and the Palm room make for a stunning London wedding venue and the hospitality of the team is exceptional.

The Face, Hair and MUA

The Face, Hair and MUA

I already had my eye on the lovely Francesca as the face for our shoot. Her look always reminded me of a ‘Bond girl’.

We discussed the shooting style with our brilliant Hair and makeup artist Jo Adams. I was thinking a softer take for our clean classic dresses. I blurted out ‘bohobond’ and the look was set!

The Photographer

The Photographer

Through bridal industry friends, we met our incredible photographer Voyteck. He had already shot our dresses on previous styled shoots with Penny at Tigerlily weddings.
Voyteck turned out to be the ‘light hunter’.
I’m sure you’ll see what I mean from the photography, all shot in natural light.