Bright Young Things: Bridal Accessories

Hello my dears! Are you having a super super Sunday? Surprisingly, I don’t even have a hangover today which was totally unexpected after the vast amounts of el vino I consumed last night. I’ve also been up and at ’em since the ridiculously early {for a Sunday} hour of 8am! Oh the joys of being married to an early riser :)

I have an amazeballs post to share with you today and I think you’re going to find it mainly awesome too!! In fact, I’M LOVING IT!! Kelly Spence, incredibly talented bridal accessories designer is showcasing her beautiful 2012 collection. Bright Young Things. This collection paired with the understated but oh so elegant bridal gowns and the renowned talents of wedding photographer Kat Hill makes for a rather heady mix of wedding pretty indeed. I’m gonna leave you now in the hands of Kelly who explains the inspiration for her stunning collection and also this beautiful shoot. Enjoy!! XxX

The inspiration for this collection & the subsequent photoshoot came from the ‘Bright Young Things’ of the 1920s, the infamous socialites and aristocrats renowned for their lavish country house parties and fondness for dressing up. This period saw the transition of Art Nouveau with its organic, nature-inspired design elements into the structured, glitzy shapes of the Art Deco and so my collection draws subtly on both of these styles, particularly in relation to the glamorous women of this fashionable set.

The original Bright Young Things inspired literary works by the likes of Evelyn Waugh and Nancy Mitford and were often photographed by the great Cecil Beaton (one of the BYT set himself). It was these Cecil Beaton portraits, such as the famous ones of the Wyndham sisters and Wallis Simpson, that inspired me and it was these images that photographer Kat Hill and I pored over when styling the photoshoot. We shot the images in the historic library and other wood panelled rooms of the wonderfully atmospheric Hanbury Manor in Ware, Herts.

The collection itself comprises hairpins, combs and asymmetrical hairbands either adorned with art nouveau style trailing fronds, delicate flowers and buds in freshwater pearl and mother of pearl or jewelled with deco inspired geometric clusters of sparkling Swarovski diamantes. The signature piece of the collection is the Fern Band which curves dramatically over the side of the head in the form of a stylised leaf made of small freshwater pearls and a light sprinkling of water droplet-like crystals.

Each piece is custom made and can be found at a small selection of hand-picked bridal salons or via kellyspence.com (online boutique coming soon). Prices range from £130 – £480.

Isn’t this collection just jaw droppingly gorgeous?! I adore these pieces, and the styling of the shoot is just gorge!! Well done ladies and thanks for sharing with WTW. Bridestobe let the swoonfest commence!! In love with the wedding gowns? Check out Sabina Motasem!!