In some ways I’m a terrible wedding blogger. I am ‘real wedding’ obsessed and I love to see the ins & outs of people’s actual weddings or read about their experiences, but in terms of what’s going on in the ‘industry’ I usually couldn’t give a toss. It’s also extremely rare that I ever get excited by anything to do with bridal fashion and I try to avoid fashion shows at all costs…sorry but they’re usually such a yawnfest. However when it matters, when someone actually does something new or exciting I do then get really passionate, chomping at the bit to feature it as soon as possible – often with a lot of extra exclamation points!

Laura & Emma of Fur Coat No Knickers have been long term friends of the blog. They loaned me dresses when no one knew who the hell I was and they always have Cava on the go when I pop into their central London boutique. We’re clearly a match made in heaven. So when they told me about their idea to create their own line of wedding dresses, inspired by their most popular genuine vintage styles but with the fuller figure in mind, I literally whooped with joy.

Introducing, Flaunt It…

The collection is made up of five dresses, each designed with original vintage styles in mind. Laura & Emma have taken their combined experience of over 20 years in costume design (working on productions like the Lion King, Shakespeare at the Royal Shakespeare Company and shows at the National Theatre) and 5 years of owning their own vintage wedding dress shop and created this one of a kind and truly exciting capsule collection.

They say, “We love our vintage dresses. But the one problem with them is not being able to fit the more curvy figure. Vintage dresses are, by their nature, on the small side. Although we do search and search for more realistic sizes, there have been occasions where we just can’t help. We hated that. So we set about designing a new collection, that would be every bit as beautiful as all the dresses in our shop, but available up to a size 22. And that collection is called Flaunt It.”

“We based our designs on vintage dresses we have found and loved over the years, with shapes that are very flattering. Then we set out to find fabric that, when hanging in our shop next to the original dresses, didn’t stand out as being too modern. And with a mix of carefully chosen, beautiful lace, tulle and silk organza, we managed to achieve just that. We also wanted our customers to be able to customise the dresses, by taking away sleeves, adding different fullnesses of petticoats, coloured binding, sashes and headpieces and by tweaking the fit to the individual. Just like we do with the vintage dresses.”

“We did this shoot in our own shop and called up some of our past brides to model for us! We wanted to show how amazing these dresses look on real girls and not on models.”

And here they are ladies, aren’t they beautiful?

Gin & It

Gin & It is a cute but funky, knee length sixties style silk organza skirt, with pretty ivory lace illusion bodice and duchess satin trim. The skirt is full silk organza with a deep double hem. The dress goes perfectly with cool shoes, a silk sash and a bound petticoat.

Bellini

Just like it’s namesake, Bellini is an instant classic. A fifties inspired, warm cream bodice with an elegant boat neck and lace overlay with a slightly longer silk organza skirt. Bellini is also available sleeveless and looks lovely with a birdcage or classic veil.

Beauty Spot

Beauty Spot is a tea length, fifties style halter neck dress with a sweetheart neckline, a dropped waist, the tiniest dot tulle and duchess satin boned duchess waist panel. Instantly flattering this is sure to be a best seller.

Loved Up

For the romantic bride, Loved Up is perfect. The forties tea length tulle skirt sits perfectly with the cut through dropped waist bodice and lace motif trim. It’s beautiful open neckline and hand-applied lace detail is utterly stunning and the dress can be made with or without small lace ruched sleeves. Loved up is perfect with a veil or just a flower and lace hairpiece

Champagne Fizz

The breathtaking long-length thirties style Champagne Fizz is made in a stunning flower ivory and delicate metallic lace overlay with an illusion bodice. The diagonal cut of this gown is super flattering as is the flowing skirt. Pretty waterfall sleeves and diagonal front sash can be added on request. This baby would look incredible with long drop earrings and a deco style headpiece.

The Flaunt It collection starts from £1195.00 and is available right now with sample sizes ready and waiting to be tried on in their London shop. As each dress is bespoke and handmade in the UK, the girls need a minimum of six months to fulfil orders so if you’re thinking about going for a trying on sesh (for these or their genuine vintage collection), get in touch by emailing Laura or Emma as soon as you can.

Win a dress from the Flaunt It collection!

But wait, I bet you thought it couldn’t get any more exciting huh? Well prepare yourselves ladies because Laura & Emma are giving away the dress of your choice including all alterations and accessories*  from the Flaunt It collection to one VERY lucky Rock n Roll Bride-to-be!

Entry couldn’t be simpler, just comment below telling us why you want to be a Fur Coat No Knickers bride. You have until February 14th to enter. The winning comment will be selected by myself and Laura & Emma and will be notified by email within a week of the closing date. Winner’s wedding must be taking place before April 2014. Please include your wedding date in your comment.

This contest is now closed

This is a truly epic prize which, depending on your choices, is worth at least a couple of thousand smackeroos!

So come on then, which is your favourite?

Ts & Cs

♥ Closing date for entries is midnight (GMT) 14/02/13. Winner will be selected by Kat Williams & Fur Coat No Knickers and will be notified via email.
♥ Only 1 entry per IP address.
♥ Contest is open to residents of the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man who are aged 18 or over only.
♥ Winner must be able to visit the Fur Coat No Knickers store in Kingly Court, London for fittings. Travel and accommodation are not included in the prize.
♥ Winner’s wedding must be taking place before April 2014. Please include your wedding date in your comment.
♥ The prize is for the dress of your choice from the Flaunt It collection including any customisations, alterations and accessories. *Eligible extra accessories are any petticoat, sash or headpiece you’d like. Shoes and jewellery are not included.
♥  If for any reason the chosen prize item becomes unavailable, Fur Coat No Knickers reserves the right to substitute a similar prize of equivalent or greater value. In this event, we will contact the winner informing them.
♥ Prize may not be exchanged or transferred and no cash alternative will be offered.
♥ The winner will be contacted by email within a week of the competition draw date.
♥ The competition winner must claim their prize within 28 days of being notified and we reserve the right to select an alternative winner should the prize not be claimed.
♥ Liability cannot be accepted for entries which are lost in transit or not received due to technical difficulties.
♥ Kat Williams’ & Fur Coat No Knickers’ decision and any decision taken by the promoter is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
♥ No purchase necessary.